Regional Students

As an international student at a regional USC campus, you have many opportunities to succeed academically, prepare for your career, and have fun. However, while you are pursuing your academics and extracurricular activities, it is important to properly maintain your immigration status. Read below for common immigration maintenance needs.

Maintaining Your Status

Citizenship Verification

You must update through SSC for address changes.

Guidelines and directions for changing address

A program extension will be approved if you are pursuing a dual degree.

Required documents for program extension

If you plan to travel outside of the United States and reenter, you need a travel signature on your I-20.

Traveling on F-1 Status

If you are taking a semester off from school, you need to update ISSS so we can take care of your immigration record.

Leaving the US? Click here!

Your Immigration Document

Click here to view types of acceptable financial certification.

Instructions on the visa process

Retrieving Your 1-94

Nonimmigrant travelers to the U.S. generally need a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay. While some countries are exempt from this "six-month rule" and only need validity for their stay duration, it is crucial to check for specific, updated agreements.

Key Passport Validity Information for Nonimmigrants:

Six-Month Rule: Most foreign nationals must possess a passport valid for six months beyond their intended stay.
Exempt Countries: Citizens from certain countries are exempt from the six-month rule and only need a passport valid for their actual period of stay.
Duration of Status (I-94): If entering with a passport that has less than six months validity, the I-94 date (authorized stay) may be limited to the passport's expiration date.
Airline Requirements: Airlines often enforce the six-month rule and may refuse boarding if the passport is valid for less than six months.
Validity During Stay: A passport must remain valid for the entire duration of the stay in the United States.

Meeting Full-time Enrollment Requirements

If you are an undergraduate student, 12 credit hours is considered full time. Of the 12 hours, only 3 credit hours can be online.

Summer enrollment is optional, so full-time enrollment is not required.

If during your final semester you do not need full-time enrollment, you are eligible for a reduced course load. You and your academic advisor must complete a Reduced Course Load Request Form (available in the ISS Forms Library) and submit via email to iss@sc.edu.

If you have difficulties during your first semester, please contact the resources offered on your campus.

International Student and Scholar Support