F-1 Student Rules:Units, Employment, Transfer, and OPT

While attending a community college, F-1 students must complete at least 12 units in each fall and spring semester. Only one course or 3 units of online coursework per term can count toward full-time enrollment. On-campus work is limited to 20 hours per week during the term, and off-campus work requires prior authorization. Transferring to UC requires a SEVIS transfer, and after completing the program the student may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). This page is compiled from U.S. government and college websites; for actual procedures, the college’s international student office and official guidance are the final authority.

Units and Attendance

This section explains the minimum units per term, the online course limit, and the reduced course load rules for F-1 students.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires F-1 students at the undergraduate level to take at least 12 units per term. Students must attend classes and make normal academic progress. Before dropping a course, the student should first consult the Designated School Official (DSO).

Rule	Requirement
Fall and spring	At least 12 units per semester; summer enrollment is usually optional
First term for summer entrants	Irvine Valley College requires at least 6 units
Online courses	Only one course or 3 units per term count toward full-time enrollment
In-person courses	Irvine Valley College requires at least 9 of the 12 units to be in person
Reduced course load	School approval required before dropping

A Reduced Course Load applies only in specific circumstances. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lists initial academic difficulties, a temporary illness or medical condition, and a final term that requires fewer than 12 units. Irvine Valley College states that approval must be obtained before dropping a course; students who have already dropped cannot apply retroactively. A reduced course load for academic difficulty may be used only once during the entire program.

On-Campus and Off-Campus Work

This section compares the types of work F-1 students may do. Unauthorized work causes the student to lose lawful status.

Type	Main rules	Authorized by
On-campus work	Up to 20 hours per week during the term; full time during breaks	College international student office
Off-campus work for economic hardship	F-1 status held for one full academic year, and severe economic hardship	USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
CPT	Full-time enrollment for one academic year; the training must be part of the curriculum	DSO
OPT	Work must relate to the field of study; 12 months per education level	USCIS issues an employment authorization card

CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training. Study in the States states that 12 months or more of full-time CPT makes the student ineligible for OPT. Saddleback College also requires students to complete their first semester and hold a GPA of at least 2.50 before working on campus. On-campus work depends on available positions, and specific requirements vary by college.

Key Points for Maintaining Lawful Status

This section lists what F-1 students must continue to observe while enrolled.

• Address updatesAfter each move, update the U.S. address as the college requires.
• Valid I-20The I-20 must remain valid at all times; request an extension before the end date when needed.
• Change of majorAfter changing majors, request a new I-20 from the international student office.
• Travel signatureBefore leaving the United States, ask the international student office to sign the I-20.
• Academic standingIrvine Valley College states that academic probation is not a valid reason for an extension.

Irvine Valley College states that an initial I-20 is issued for 36 months. A student who loses status must apply for reinstatement as soon as possible. After more than 5 months without applying, the student may lose eligibility to apply.

Transferring to UC and the SEVIS Transfer

This section explains how the status record carries over when a community college student transfers to UC.

1. Submit the requestSubmit the UC admission letter and the SEVIS transfer request form to the community college international student office.
2. Set the release dateThe release date is generally the end of the current term, or an earlier expected transfer date.
3. Report and registerReport to the UC international student office within 15 days of the program start date listed on the new UC I-20.
4. Begin classes on timeClasses must begin within 5 months of the last day of classes or at the start of the next available term, whichever is earlier.

Irvine Valley College states that a SEVIS record can be transferred to only one school. The student must maintain valid F-1 status to complete the transfer. For the requirements of the transfer application itself, see International Student Transfer Overview. For the basics of visas and SEVIS, see I-20 and F-1 Visa.

OPT After Completion

This section explains the basic OPT rules. F-1 students must have been enrolled full time for one academic year to be eligible.

• LengthEach education level allows 12 months of OPT.
• TypeOPT used before completion may be part time or full time; OPT used after completion requires at least 20 hours per week.
• Filing windowSaddleback College states that students may apply from 90 days before to 60 days after the program end date.
• Filing deadlineThe application must be filed with USCIS within 30 days of the DSO recommendation.
• Starting workWork may begin only after the employment authorization card is received.
• Unemployment limitDuring post-completion OPT, total unemployment may not exceed 90 days.
• STEM extensionEligible science, technology, engineering, and math graduates may apply for an additional 24-month extension.

Saddleback College states that OPT is generally requested in the final semester, and the student must be inside the United States when applying.