Antioch University

International Student Resources

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Welcome, International Students!

Supporting Antioch University global students from arrival to graduation is our promise!

This web page serves as a resource page for you. We will highlight current issues and frequently asked questions related to the safety and security of our international students (F-1 Visa holders), what is needed to maintain status and travel both within the United States as well as outside the United States. In addition, we will provide you with federal regulation updates that may impact your ability to remain in compliance according to the federal SEVP (Student Exchange and Visitor Program).

We want to assure you that your safety and well-being are important to us. You are essential and important members of Antioch University and our community. Antioch University supports you!

Of utmost importance is supporting our international students and all scholars. Our Principal Designated School Officials (PDSOs) monitor your SEVIS records weekly and will contact you if there are any issues or updates affecting your status or I-20. We will proactively contact you; however, we also ask that you be responsive to our outreach and requests. Feel free to contact your PDSO anytime.

Please see the list below for the name of your PDSO by campus and their contact information.

News & Updates

DHS Publishes Final Rule Replacing Duration of Status

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published the final rule in the Federal Register, “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” The final rule is currently posted for public inspection and will not take effect until September 15th, 2026.

There is updated information on Study in the States, including an FAQ About this Final Rule. In addition, SEVP will also hold a live webinar for external stakeholders on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. (EDT) to review major regulatory changes resulting from the final rule and answer frequently asked questions. We have highlighted a few of the Frequently Asked Questions below:

General/Current International Students on an F-1 Visa (enrolled prior to September 15, 2026)

Students on an F-1 visa currently in the United States admitted under duration of status may remain in the United States without applying for an extension of stay (EOS) up to the Program End Date on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” or the end of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT extension that is valid on the final rule’s effective date, not to exceed Nov. 14, 2030 (four years, plus a 60- day departure period).

Students must apply for an EOS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services if they wish to remain in the United States beyond this date, including if additional time is needed to begin a new program of study or to engage in post-completion OPT or STEM OPT. Alternatively, a student may travel and seek readmission with a new period of admission from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to begin a new program of study.

Yes, current Students on an F-1 visa can continue to travel; however, as of Sept. 15, 2026, upon returning to the United States, these students may be admitted with a new fixed period of admission, which is the Program End Date on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” up to a maximum of four years (plus a 30-day departure period).

Students on an F-1 visa in the United States who timely filed for post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT on or before six months of the final rule’s effective date do not need to apply for an extension of stay (EOS).

Refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for specific information about the final rule’s impact on pending applications for employment authorization.

The Admit Until Date (AUD) is a nonimmigrant’s maximum period of admission to the United States and is the last day a nonimmigrant is authorized to stay in the United States. Students on an F-1 visa cannot remain lawfully present in the United States beyond their AUD and must depart the United States or take action to maintain status before their AUD expires.

It depends:

  • Students on an F-1 visa traveling to the United States will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a U.S. port of entry. The AUD will be on the student’s Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” accessible from the Form I-94 website.
  • Students on an F-1 visa approved for an extension of stay or change to F-1 status will receive an AUD from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The AUD will be on the Form I-94 attached to the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.”

Yes, the Admit Until Date (AUD) may be different than the Program End Date on the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Typically:

  • For programs less than four years: The AUD is the Program End Date, plus 30 days for departure.
  • For programs longer than four years: The AUD is four years from the Program Start Date, plus 30 days for departure.
  • For students on an F-1 visa engaging in optional practical training: The AUD is the employment end date on the Employment Authorization Document, plus 30 days for departure.

Students on an F-1 visa can locate their Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” accessible from the Form I-94 website. Students approved for an extension of stay or change of status to F-1 can locate their AUD on the Form I-94 attached to the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.”

Extensions of Stay (EOS)

Yes, students on an F-1 visa with Program End Dates more than four years in the future and who need additional time beyond their Admit Until Date to complete their current program of study must apply for an extension of stay (EOS). These students must:

  • Timely file for an EOS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, providing all supporting documentation.

Yes, students on an F-1 visa who need a program extension and additional time beyond their Admit Until Date to complete their current program of study must apply for an extension of stay (EOS). These students must:

  • Be able to demonstrate a compelling academic reason, documented illness or medical condition or circumstances beyond their control.
  • Have their designated school official:
    • Process a program extension in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
    • Recommend an EOS in SEVIS.
    • Provide an updated Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
  • Timely file for an EOS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, providing all supporting documentation, including their Form I-20.

Yes. Students on an F-1 visa who want to pursue a degree at a new, higher education level must:

  • Receive a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” for the new program of study.
  • Timely file for an extension of stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, providing the Form I-20 for the new program of study.

Yes. Students on an F-1 visa can travel internationally while their extension of stay (EOS) application is pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, students on an F-1 visa should ensure they are available to respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or other requests from USCIS while outside the United States. Failure to respond to an RFE may result in USCIS denying an EOS application.

Upon readmission to the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may admit students for the remainder of their previously authorized Program End Date or grant a new period of admission based on updated documentation, such as a new Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” reflecting an extended Program End Date.

If CBP grants a new period of admission that extends beyond a student’s previously authorized stay while an EOS application is pending, USCIS may consider the pending EOS application abandoned, as the student already received a new authorized period of admission through CBP.

Departure Period for F1 Visa Holder Students

Students on an F-1 visa now have 30 days to depart the United States following completion of their program of study or postcompletion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT, a decrease from the previous 60-day period.

For further information (FAQ) – https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/final-rule-establishing-a-fixed-timeperiod-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-faq

Important Information/Frequently Asked Questions

While studying in the United States, it is important to maintain your F or M student status. Your status relates to the purpose, or reason, for why you want to come to the United States. The U.S. Department of State issues you your visa based on your intended purpose. 

If the Department of State issues you an F or M student visa, this means that you are coming to the United States to study. You should not take any action that detracts from that purpose. Maintaining your status means:

  • Fulfilling the purpose for why the Department of State issued you your visa.
  • Following the regulations associated with that purpose.

F-1 and M-1 students share the same primary purpose for coming to the United States however, F-1 students enroll in more traditional academic programs, while M-1 students enroll in vocational programs. Because these two types of programs are different in nature, the types of benefits an international student may be eligible for and how long they may remain in the country depend on whether they are an F-1 or M-1 student. Learn more about these specific differences by reviewing the F&M Student Status: Know the Difference infographic.

Education

While studying in the United States, both F and M students must:

  • Attend all your classes and maintain normal academic progress. If school is too difficult, speak with your DSO immediately.
  • Maintain a full course of study each term. If you cannot study full-time , contact your DSO immediately. You may be eligible for a reduced course load in limited circumstances.
  • Speak to your DSO before dropping a class.
  • Talk to your DSO about requesting a possible program extension if you do not think you will complete your program of study by the end date listed on your Form I-20. An extension must be requested before your program's end date.
  • Within the U.S.: F-1 students can travel within the U.S. without special permission, even to states like Alaska and Hawaii. 
  • Recommended Documents: Always carry your passport, I-94 card (which you can print online), and I-20 when traveling outside your state. 
  • State ID: Consider getting a state ID, as it's a more convenient form of identification for domestic travel compared to your passport. 
  • DSO Consultation: It's always a good idea to consult with your Designated School Official (DSO) before any international or domestic travel to ensure your SEVIS record is accurate and up-to-date, and to obtain any necessary travel signatures on your I-20. 
  • I-20 Endorsement: Make sure your I-20 is endorsed for travel and has a valid travel signature, as this is needed for returning to the U.S. after international travel. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months from the date of the signature. 
  • Expired F-1 Visa: You can stay in the U.S. on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status, but you need a valid visa to re-enter the U.S. 

To ensure a smooth entry into the United States as a student, you need a valid passport, a student visa, and your Form I-20, which is your "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status". It's crucial to keep these documents in your carry-on bag and not checked luggage, as you'll need them for inspection at the port of entry. 

Meet with your Designated School Official

Before you travel abroad, it is important to check in with your DSO. When you meet with your DSO, you should ensure that your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is up-to-date and in Active status.

Make sure that your DSO has signed your Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” within the last year, and that you are not leaving the country for more than 5 months. You should also make sure that you have your DSO’s most up-to-date contact information, including both a daytime telephone number at the school and a 24-hour emergency phone number, before you leave.

If you have a pending practical training application, it is not recommended that you leave the United States. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may send you a request for evidence while you are travelling, and you are expected to be able to send in the requested documents. USCIS will only send the requests to your U.S. address.

If USCIS approves your practical training application, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which USCIS will only send to your U.S. address. You are expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Visit the Travel page on ICE.gov/SEVP for more information about traveling with pending applications. 

and submit the proper documentation to SEVP. If you are issued a Form I-515A at a U.S. port of entry, visit the Form I-515A Overview page for instructions.

When you enter the United States, you will arrive at a port of entry and meet with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers for primary and sometimes a secondary inspection.

The CBP officer may ask questions about your reason for travel and to inspect important documents like your:

  • Student visa
  • Form I-20
  • Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry. If you are an M-1 student, it is recommended that you bring your most recent Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” with you as well.

Be sure to hand-carry all of these items and do not put them in your checked baggage.

You do not need to repay the I-901 SEVIS Fee to reenter the United States after travel.

If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry and do not have all your signed required documents, have not paid the I-901 SEVIS Fee on your current Form I-20, or have a SEVIS status issue, a CBP officer may issue you a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.” The Form I-515A admits you to the United States for 30 days while you obtain and submit the proper documentation to SEVP. If you are issued a Form I-515A at a U.S. port of entry, visit the Form I-515A Overview page for instructions.

Resources Provided by the SEVIS Website  

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