As a current F-1 or J-1 student, please make sure to regularly check our Fall 2025 FAQs for Continuing Students page. We will continue to update this page with any new information that becomes available.
Maintaining Status
Maintaining status is necessary to receive the benefits of F-1 or J-1 status, and can be crucial to a successful application in the future.
Enrollment
During the academic year, you must either be enrolled full-time or receive permission for a reduced course load or a full-time exception. F-1 students are eligible for simultaneous enrollment with a combination of courses at U-M and another college or university, only if approved. F-1 students may attend another school as a recreational activity during an authorized vacation period (spring/summer term).
Travel
When travelling internationally, you must have a passport valid for six months, a valid F/J visa, and I-20/DS-2019 with a travel signature no older than six months. When you are traveling in the U.S. (some distance from Ann Arbor), you should bring your passport, Most-Recent I-94, and I-20/DS-2019.
Work
As an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, you are eligible to work on-campus while attending classes. Please remember that any off-campus employment must be authorized!
- Employment and Volunteering
- On-Campus Employment
- Curricular Practical Training (F-1 only)
- Optional Practical Training (F-1 only)
- Severe Economic Hardship Employment (F-1 only)
- Employment with an International Organization (F-1 only)
- Academic Training (J-1 only)
- Severe Economic Hardship Employment (J-1 only)
Family
Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) who accompany the primary F-1/J-1 visa holder to the U.S. may receive F-2/J-2 dependent status. All other family members must apply for a B-1 or B-2 visitor's visa to gain entry to the U.S.