Check-In
In order to maintain valid F-1 nonimmigrant status, all F-1 students must complete Check-In with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) immediately upon arrival. Students will need to complete this process primarily through the OISS Portal and updating MyUNLV.
All initial attendance, change of level, or transfer pending students must submit scanned copies of the following documents:
- Most recent passport
- Most recent F-1 visa or I-797A Change of Status Approval Notice
- Signed copy of the UNLV I-20 (Initial Attendance, Change of Educational Level, Change of Status or Transfer-Pending I-20)
- Most recent I-94 (available on the CBP website after entering the U.S. by selecting “get most recent I-94”)
- If you have changed your immigration status while inside the U.S., then your I-94 can be found on the bottom of your I-797A Approval Notice
- Please note that during high travel times, it may take a few days for the I-94 to appear on the CBP website
- Update their local U.S. physical address and phone number on MyUNLV
Enrollment Requirements
All F-1 international students must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress (i.e. maintaining either a 2.0 GPA for undergraduates or 3.0 GPA for graduate students) in order to maintain immigration status.
Students must be enrolled full-time each regular semester (fall and spring semesters). Furthermore, no more than three online credits can be counted towards the minimum credits required to maintain full-time status. Anything over this total amount can be online or in-person. For example, if an undergraduate student is enrolled in twelve (12) credits overall, then the student can only enroll in a maximum of three (3) credits of online courses, while the other nine (9) credits must be on-campus. However, if an international student is enrolled in thirteen (13) credits or more overall, then as long as the student is enrolled in at least nine (9) credits of on-campus courses, any additional credits can be taken online.
Common Enrollment Breakdowns
Waitlisted, audited, withdrawn, and incomplete classes do not count towards this minimum enrollment requirement.
If a student is not able to enroll full-time at UNLV, then they must be approved for concurrent enrollment or an authorized reduced course load.
Students enrolled in the Intensive English Program must enroll full-time and attend all coursework in accordance with the English Language Center attendance policies.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits every semester. Only three credits of online courses can be applied towards this minimum requirement. Examples of this credit breakdown can be found below:
|
Total Credits |
Minimum Credits On-Campus |
Number of Allowed Online Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
12 credits |
9 credits |
3 credits |
|
15 credits |
9 credits |
6 credits |
|
18 credits |
9 credits |
9 credits |
Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine credits every semester. Only three credits of online courses can be applied towards this minimum requirement. Examples of this credit breakdown can be found below:
|
Total Credits |
Minimum Credits On-Campus |
Number of Allowed Online Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
9 credits |
6 credits |
3 credits |
|
12 credits |
6 credits |
6 credits |
Graduate students with a graduate assistantship must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits every semester. Only three credits of online courses can be applied towards this minimum requirement. Examples of this credit breakdown can be found below:
|
Total Credits |
Minimum Credits On-Campus |
Number of Allowed Online Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
6 credits |
3 credits |
3 credits |
|
9 credits |
3 credits |
6 credits |
During the summer term, full-time enrollment is usually optional for international students unless it is either their first semester at UNLV or last semester at UNLV.
If the summer term is either the student's first or last semester, the student must adhere to the following enrollment requirements, just like in the regular fall and spring semesters.
Important Notes:
- Waitlisted, audited, withdrawn, and incomplete classes do not count towards this minimum enrollment requirement.
- If a student is not able to enroll full-time at UNLV, then they must be approved for concurrent enrollment
Reduced Course Load
As stated above, students must be enrolled full-time to maintain their F-1 status, there are situations in which students can apply for a reduced course load. Students must first have received permission from ISSS before enrolling less than full time.
Academic Difficulties
A student who is having academic difficulties within their first year may be able to request a reduced course load that is valid for only one semester. If approved, the student can drop down to 6 credits but must resume a full course load in the following semester. Below listed are the reasons considered for a reduced course load due to academic difficulties:
- Initial English language difficulties or reading reading requirements
- Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
- Improper course level placement
If you feel that you are having trouble during your first year of studies, you must make an appointment with your ISSS Advisor to discuss whether or not you are eligible for this reduced course load.
Illness or Medical Condition
If a student has a temporary illness or medical condition that keeps them from completing a full course of study, then the student may be eligible to apply for a Medical Reduced Course Load. Students are only eligible for a Medical Reduced Course Load for up to 365 cumulative days per degree program.
To apply for the Medical Reduced Course Load, students must meet with their ISSS Advisor and submit a written statement from their medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist issued on the medical office’s letterhead explaining the necessity during a specific semester to be enrolled less than full-time.
To apply for the Medical Reduced Course Load, students must meet with their ISSS Advisor and submit a written statement from their medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist issued on the medical office’s letterhead explaining the necessity during a specific semester to be enrolled less than full-time.
Students who are approved for a Medical Reduced Course Load can drop down to 0 credits for the authorized term dependent on the written statement from the medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist but must re-apply for the Medical Reduced Course Load for the next semester if the condition is still on-going or enroll full-time.
Students must have ISSS approval before dropping below full-time enrollment status.
Concurrent Enrollment
Students can enroll in classes at another Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school in order to maintain their F-1 status if needed. The total enrollment from both UNLV and the other school must meet at least the minimum enrollment requirements and not exceed the number of allowable online credits towards those requirements.
Students must also be enrolled in more than half of their classes at UNLV instead of the other school.
To apply for concurrent enrollment, students must submit the following to International Student and Scholar Services through the International Student and Scholar Services Portal:
-
Proof of Enrollment showing their class schedule at the other school
Please contact International Student and Scholar Services regarding any questions about concurrent enrollment.
Full-Time Equivalency for Graduate Students Who Have Finished All Required Coursework Except Thesis, Dissertation, Professional Papers, Capstones, and/or Practicums
Graduate students who have finished all coursework except for culminating experiences such as thesis, dissertation, professional papers, practicums, capstones, etc. must fill out the International Student Reduced Enrollment Request Form found in the Grad Rebel Gateway. This request form will be routed to graduate coordinators, faculty advisors, and Graduate College coordinators for signatures to verify that you have finished all other coursework and that you will be considered full-time equivalent. Once all signatures have been collected, the completed form will be sent to ISSS to be added to your file.
This form must be completed by the end of the first week every semester while you are working on your thesis, dissertation, etc. until you have graduated.
Final Semester
International students in their final semester must complete a “Proof of Graduation” request in the OISS Portal by the end of the first week of their final semester or term. They will need to list either academic advising center or their faculty advisor/coordinator in the “Approver” section of the form. The Proof of Graduation is especially important for students in their final semester that will not have enough classes to be enrolled full-time. Students in their final semester are not required to enroll full-time as long as they are enrolled in at least one in-person class during their final semester in order to remain in the U.S. as an F-1 student and be eligible to apply for OPT, even if their final semester is a summer term.
The Proof of Graduation request must be completed and submitted to ISSS to be considered for a Final Semester Reduced Course Load.
Final Semester for Thesis or Dissertation Students
While the Graduate College has an option for thesis or dissertation students to waive enrollment in their final semester if their thesis or dissertation defense is within the first few weeks of the semester, federal immigration regulations require that students be enrolled in at least one in-person course in their final semester.
If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.
Study Abroad
If an F-1 international student is considering participating in a study abroad program, you must contact UNLV International Programs and make a separate appointment with an International Student and Scholar Services advisor to discuss possible options.