Visa Regulations and Information

Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credits each semester. 9 of those 12 credits must be on-campus courses (not online or remote). You do not have to register for summer courses.

Graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credits each semester. At least 6 of those credits must be on-campus (not online or remote). You do not have to register for summer courses. If you have finished all your formal coursework and have just a comprehensive exam, thesis, or dissertation remaining then you can be in less than 9 credits if it is approved in advance by ISS.

All students can study less than full-time in their final semester if it is approved in advance by ISS. If you wish to take your final semester on campus then you must have on-campus classes. This is also the case if you are finishing your degree in the summer session.

You do not have to study full time in your final semester, but you must have advance permission from ISS.  If you wish to take your final courses from within the U.S. and/or you want to apply for post-graduation work authorization (OPT) then you must have an on-campus course in your final semester.  If you only have online courses remaining then you would be expected to take those courses from outside the U.S.

Final semester information

An advisor in International Student Services may authorize a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for the following reasons:

1. Initial difficulty with American teaching methods (first semester only)
2. Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements (first semester only)
3. Improper placement in a particular course level
4. Last semester of the academic program and graduation due at the end of that particular semester
5. Graduate student with only thesis or dissertation remaining (this is not the case for graduate students pursuing projects)
6. Medical reasons (maximum of one year per academic level)

Students authorized for a reduced course load based on approved academic reasons (1-3) must still enroll in at least six credits.

Contact the International Student Services Office before you drop below full time to learn if you qualify for an RCL.  We are here to answer any questions about the RCL application paperwork.

Contact ISS as soon as you realize you will not graduate as scheduled.  This is very important if you have an OPT application pending or approved, or if you will need an I-20 or DS-2019 extension.

All I-20 and DS-2019 extensions must be requested before the I-20 or DS-2019 program end date.

Studying abroad can be a great way to further enrich your degree at Boise State University! If you are planning to study abroad for a semester or year then notify an immigration advisor in ISS.  We will update your SEVIS record to note that you are studying abroad as part of your degree. Don’t forget you will need a valid F1 or J1 visa and travel signature when you return to the U.S. to complete your degree.

If you are planning to do thesis or dissertation field research abroad for a semester or year then notify an immigration advisor in ISS so that we can get you the correct paperwork to authorize it from an immigration perspective.  Then we will update your SEVIS record to note that you are completing research abroad as part of your degree. Don’t forget you will need a valid F1 or J1 visa and travel signature when you return to the U.S. to complete your degree.

F1 and J1 students may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and more than 20 hours during semester breaks.

J1 students must have prior authorization before taking any job on campus. Each work opportunity for J1 students requires a separate prior authorization.

Off-campus employment is quite restricted for F1 and J1 students. Any off-campus employment requires authorization from International Student Services and/or USCIS before work begins and not all internships and jobs qualify for authorization.

That’s great news!  Work authorization for internships for F1 students during your degree is usually Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Work authorization for internships for J1 students is usually Academic Training (AT). The internship must be done for academic credit and must be related to your major. If the internship is after your degree is completed then F1 students must use Optional Practical Training (OPT) for the internship.

Graduate students in F1 status who are at the thesis or dissertation stage of their degree can use CPT  if the internship directly relates and adds in a meaningful way to their thesis or dissertation. Otherwise, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the best option.  Graduate students can apply for OPT once all formal coursework is completed and only a thesis/dissertation is remaining.

J1 students have different work authorization processes for off-campus work, including internships. This work authorization is called Academic Training and you can use it during or after your academic studies. Please contact an ISS advisor to learn more.

If you’ve lost your I-20 or DS-2019 or it’s badly damaged then please request an updated one via the Forms section of the ISS website.

Request a new I-20 or DS-2019

If your academic program has changed then please request an updated I-20 via the Forms section of the ISS website. Although new minors do not print on an I-20 but please complete the form anyway so that we can update your SEVIS record with your new program.

Request an updated I-20

Check the program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you will not finish your program before that end date then you can request an extension. All extensions must be requested before that program end date. We recommend that you request the extension by submitting the required paperwork at least one month in advance.

All I-20 extensions require a verification form from your academic advisor. You must also submit updated financial documents if your financial support has changed. In some cases you may also need to submit a degree plan. You must also be eligible to register in courses (no registration holds).

You must be making normal academic program to qualify for an extension. Please work with your academic advisor to make sure you are taking the right courses at the right time.

Exchange students must consult an ISS Advisor as early as possible to request an additional semester of exchange. DS-2019 extensions often require the permission of both your home university and Boise State University.

You can request an updated I-20 or DS-2019 via the Forms section of the ISS website.

Request a new I-20 or DS-2019

If your academic program has changed then please request an updated I-20 via the Forms section of the ISS website. Although minors do not print on an I-20 they are contained in your SEVIS record. Please complete the form if you change your major of minor.

Request an updated I-20

If your I-20 or DS-2019 will end before you complete your academic program at Boise State University then you must request an extension from ISS before the program end date.  We recommend that you request the extension by submitting the required paperwork at least one month in advance.

All I-20 extensions require a verification form from your academic advisor as well as updated financial documents if your financial support has changed. In some cases, you may also need to submit a degree plan. You must also be eligible to register for courses (no registration holds).

To qualify for an extension you must be making normal academic progress. Please work with your academic advisor to make sure you are taking the right courses at the right time.

For exchange students wishing to extend their exchange experience, please consult with an ISS Advisor as far in advance of your DS-2019 end date as possible. DS-2019 extensions often require the permission of both your home university and Boise State University.

SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.  It is a US government electronic database that maintains accurate information about J-1 and F-1 students and their F-2 or J-2 dependents.

I-20s and DS-2019s are printed based on the information that is in SEVIS.  This includes your program start and end dates, your major, and other biographical information.

• Local address, email, and phone number
• Program of study (including your major/minor)

It’s really important that you keep the International Student Services Office updated with any change in this data so that Boise State can keep your SEVIS record accurate.

U.S. Immigration expects you to update your contact information within 10 days of any change.  This also includes an official name change or change in dependents.

• Name change or new contact details (within 10 days of the change)
• Change of address (use the Change of Address form within 10 days of any change)
• Change of major, minor, or degree program (use the Replacement I-20 form)
• Study Abroad Plans
• Taking a semester off classes (report via the Leave of Absence form before you take the semester off)
• Leaving the university before your degree is finished (report via the Request to Withdraw form before you drop courses)
• If you need to drop below full time (this must be approved before you drop classes)
• Transfer to another university or degree program (Transfer Out form)

Yes! It is wonderful when family members and friends can visit. Depending on their country of citizenship, they may need a B-2 visitor visa. You can learn more about how to support their B-2 visitor visa application on our Visitor Visas for Family Members website.

Congratulations on your marriage! The Center for Global Education can help you update your I-20 or DS-2019 to show that you have dependents. Please make a request to add a dependent using our Forms & Letter Request page. You will need to show updated financial support documents, including that you have the funds to cover your spouse’s living expenses. If you are in F-1 status then your spouse can apply for an F-2 visa. If you are in J-1 status then your spouse can apply for a J-2 visa. All visa applications must be made at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You cannot apply for a visa stamp from within the U.S.

Any unmarried children under 21 are also eligible for F-2 or J-2 dependent I-20s through this request process.

If you have not yet started studying at Boise State University then please contact our Center’s International Admissions team, who will assist you with F-2 or J-2 dependent paperwork.

Yes! It is wonderful when family members are able to join you in celebrating graduation. In many cases, family members will need to apply for B-2 visas at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You can find information on how to support their visitor visa applications on our Visitor Visas for Family Members website.