Fall 2023 Check-in and Physical Presence
June 6, 2023
We hope you were able to wrap up your spring semester studies with confidence, and we look forward to seeing you in the fall semester as you continue your academic progress. The ISSO wanted to remind you of a change of status verification requirements for F-1 students that will be implemented in fall 2023. Please read this post completely.
What has changed?
As you should already be aware, the COVID-19 guidance for F-1 students, which previously allowed certain flexibilities with the rules to maintain F-1 status, has officially been discontinued. The pre-COVID enrollment rules already resumed for current UTD students in spring 2023, and other flexibilities related to alumni on OPT will end at the conclusion of the summer 2023 term. One of the requirements that has resumed after the discontinuation of the COVID guidance is the physical presence requirements for F-1 students.
What are the physical presence requirements for F-1 students?
F-1 students have two different but overlapping requirements to fulfill the regulations for maintaining status:
- Enrollment requirements (how many and what modality of credits to enroll in)
- Physical presence requirements (being physically present in the U.S., either on campus or at designated educational site)
Per the standard enrollment requirements, a specific proportion of your classes must be face-to-face. This means that there is a regulatory expectation for you to be physically attending the face-to-face courses that you are enrolled in. You should be physically present on campus and receiving face-to-face instruction for the majority of the semester, unless you have an ISSO authorized exception (CPT, RCL, etc). Note that all CPT work must also take place within the U.S., even if the position is remote. If you are not meeting the presence requirement at the start of the term or for a significant amount of time during the semester, you are risking violating your F-1 status and losing future immigration benefits.
How will the ISSO be verifying physical presence going forward?
In order to verify the physical presence of current students going forward, the ISSO will require all continuing students to submit proof of their current presence in the U.S. before each fall and spring semester by submitting a copy of your most recent I-94 in iComet. A new “Current Student Check-in” form will be launched in the iComet portal for this purpose prior to Fall 2023. You should anticipate timely submitting your re-entry information to the ISSO and plan your summer travel abroad accordingly to ensure that you return prior to the start of fall classes. Announcements will be sent out over the summer regarding when the form is launched and deadlines for submission.
How else is physical presence verified?
Your I-94 admission number/record provides a complete record of your entries and exits from the U.S. DHS may use that travel history to determine if you have met your physical presence requirements. DHS has the ability to take direction action on your F-1 SEVIS record, or any future immigration applications, based on whether you have met the physical presence requirements.
What will the ISSO do if I don’t re-enter the U.S. by the start date of fall classes (August 21)?
If you do not enter and complete Current Student Check-in by the start date of classes, the ISSO will begin sending targeted notifications prompting for the Check-in requirement to be completed for the semester. If you do not enter the U.S. and complete your iComet check-in by Census Day, your F-1 immigration record may be terminated for failing to meet the physical presence requirements.
What if I want to travel during the semester for a short-term trip?
A brief absence during a required term may be acceptable as long as you have allowance from your professors and/or employer, and you will still be physically attending your classes or internship in the U.S. for the majority of the semester. You must still enter the U.S. and begin your semester at your educational site by no later than Census Day in order to maintain status. We recommend that if you need to travel during the semester for a short-term period, that you keep written correspondences from your professors or employer (such as emails) acknowledging your absence, in case CBP asks questions about your attendance upon re-entry, or if DHS has questions about it in the future. Note that with CPT work authorization, you are eligible to work on a CPT internship anywhere within the United States. This is includes working on a remote CPT, which should be worked from within the U.S., not from abroad.
What if I can’t meet the physical presence requirements for the upcoming term?
If you are unable to arrive in time to complete Current Student Check-in, or you need to depart the U.S. for the majority of the term, then you will not be able to maintain your F-1 status. In order to receive a non-negative termination of your F-1 SEVIS record, you should complete the process of Authorized Early Withdrawal ideally before Census Day. If you are able to return to the U.S. to continue your in-person studies within 5 months of your AEW, you have a chance to re-activate your existing SEVIS record and continue your F-1 status uninterrupted. Refer to the link for more information about AEW.
In summary: beginning in Fall 2023, all current/ continuing students will be responsible for verifying their physical presence in the U.S. at their designated educational site each fall and spring term by completing Current Student Check-in through iComet before the start date of classes. If this requirement is not completed by Census Day, your F-1 status may be terminated for failing to meet the physical presence requirements of your status.
Still have questions?
- Contact the ISSO through the iComet “Ask an Advisor” eForm or during Live Chat hours
- If you would like to speak with an advisor, you may schedule an appointment – isso.utdallas.edu/advising/
