Enrollment Information

• Immigration Status
  • Staying in Status Overview
  • Staying in Status Presentation
  • Getting into J Status
  • SEVIS Fee Chart
  • SEVIS Fee Information
  • The SEVIS Fee
  • SEVIS Helpful links
  • Address Updates
  • Transfer-in
  • Transfer-out
  • Completion of course of study
  • Visa Options Powerpoint
  • Visa versus Visa Status
  • US Visas & IU
  • Enrollment Information
• Travel & Re-entry
  • Travel Outside the US
• Financial Aid
  • Current Undergraduates
  • Current Graduate Students
• Employment
  • Employment Overview
  • On-Campus Employment
  • Academic Training
  • Severe Economic Hardship
  • Finding Jobs
  • J-2 (Dependent) work authorization

• Full-Time Enrollment/Exceptions Information/Concurrent Enrollment
  • Exceptions
  • Concurrent
• Mandatory Military Service
• Online Classes
• Break From Studies—No Enrollment
• Research Abroad
• Study Abroad
• Total Withdrawal From All Classes

Full-Time Enrollment

1. In order to maintain status, J-1 students must be enrolled full-time for each fall and spring semester. Enrollment in summer sessions is not required, unless a student begins a program of study at IU in the summer.

   • For undergraduates this means enrolling in at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester.
   • For graduate students this means enrolling in at least 8 credit hours each fall and spring semester. (Exception: Six (6) credit hours is considered full-time if the student is an Associate Instructor, Research Assistant, or Graduate Assistant appointed at 37.5–50% FTE—[employed by your department for 15–20 hours/week in one of these positions]—and your department will allow you to be enrolled in only 6 credits.)

   If you begin your studies in the summer, please note that you will be permitted to enroll during the second eight weeks of the summer term only. Enrollment requirements for summer will be: 6 credit hours for undergraduate students, 4 credit hours for graduate students (3 credit hours for graduate students with a Student Academic Appointment of 37.5-50% FTE, whose graduate department supports this enrollment).

2. Exceptions to full-time enrollment:

   There are some exceptions to full-time enrollment that are designed to assist students, but all exceptions need to be authorized by OIS before you drop below full-time.

   Examples of exceptions:

   1. a first-semester student who is advised by an academic advisor to take less than a full load of courses due to language difficulties or unfamiliarity with US teaching methods;
   2. a student who must drop a class because they were placed in an incorrect level by an academic advisor
   3. a student in his/her final semester of coursework who does not need a full load in order to complete degree requirements;
   4. a student who is advised by a doctor to under-enroll due to a severe medical condition.  (documentation by a US medical doctor, licensed clinical psychologist, or doctor of osteopathy is required)
   5. 4.5. a graduate student, who holds a Student Academic Appointment, may request to be under enrolled, but must meet departmental requirements for enrollment per SAA contract.

   To review these exceptions to full-time enrollment in more detail and request authorization for a reduced course load, please log on to iStart.  Dropping below full-time without authorization from OIS is a violation of your J-1 status!  If you are thinking about dropping below full-time, call OIS (855-9086) and set up an appointment to talk with us about your options before you drop.

3. Concurrent Enrollment:

   You may be enrolled concurrently at IU and another institution.

   • You must submit a copy of your current course registration at the other institution to OIS by the end of the first week of classes for each semester you are concurrently enrolled.
   • You must be enrolled in at least an equal number of credits at IU as you will enroll in the other school. For example, an undergraduate could take six credits at IU and six credits at another school. However, if you would like to take the majority of your classes (more than half) at another school, please log into iStart to submit a transfer out request.
   • If you are in the final semester of your program of study, you cannot be enrolled in classes only at a secondary institution. This means you must also be taking classes at IU Bloomington, and you must be enrolled in equal number or greater number of credits at IU.
   • You are responsible for getting your credits transferred to IU.  You will need to submit your transcripts to the Office of International Admissions. If you are transferring your credits during your final semester at IU, be aware that timing is crucial for you to maintain your status. Failure to transfer credits in a timely manner could result in the loss of OPT work authorization and the loss in the ability to remain in the US legally.

Online Classes

• It is advised that you talk with your academic advisor to make sure that the online course you are interested in will transfer to IU.
• You are limited to ONE 3 credit class each semester to count towards full time enrollment (12 credits for undergraduate students, 8 credits for graduate students)
  • While you can take more than one online course, only ONE will count towards maintaining your status.
• During the Summer semester, you should be very careful to make sure the class you are taking count towards the semester you are enrolled in.
  • Why? IU's summer sessions most often are different than summer semesters at other schools.
• IF you are in your final semester at IU, you CANNOT take all your classes as online classes. You must take classes, sitting in a classroom, at IU in addition to any online coursework (if you are enrolling in online coursework) to maintain your status.
  • Remember that enrolling in online coursework during your final semester has crucial timing considerations. You MUST complete your online coursework prior to or at the same time as the completion of your other classes in order to maintain your legal status in the US and in order to maintain the ability to receive OPT work authorization.

Mandatory Military Service

If you need to leave or have left the US for mandatory military service in your home country, you should start by completing the “Exit Form” on iStart.  We will respond to your e-form with information about the actions we will take on your SEVIS record and the steps you will need to take if you choose to continue your education with Indiana University in the future.  If you have questions about this information or about leaving IU, you may also call OIS (855-9086) to make an appointment with an advisor or you may email an advisor at ois@indiana.edu.

Once you depart the US for military service, we will terminate your SEVIS record which will end your legal J-1 status.  This means that when you are ready to resume your program of study at IU, you will need to request a new DS-2019 from OIS before you can return to the US.  In addition, you will need to get a new US visa.  Any student outside the US for more than 5 months will need to obtain a new US visa (see more info here).  If you need to obtain a copy of your transcripts, please visit the registrar’s website to request a copy.  Please note that your IU email account may expire when you’re not enrolled as a student at IU anymore, unless you have an Imail or Umail account!  Be sure to forward important pieces of information to a non-IU account or log into webmail to change your current account to an Imail or Umail account.)

Note: If you have already enrolled in courses for the next semester, you must take action to drop them.  The OIS can assist with this.  Send an email to ois@indiana.edu, asking the OIS to assist with dropping all of your classes for the semester in which you will not be here any longer.  Be sure to write your full name and IUID number at the bottom of the email.  Please be aware of timing issues (Bursar, automatic W).

When you are ready to return to your program of study:

• Contact OIS 4 months before you plan to return.  You can do this by emailing ois@indiana.edu with your name, university ID number, and the semester in which you plan to return.  If you are sponsored by another program (e.g. IIE) please also contact your program sponsor to obtain a new DS-2019.
• You will need to provide OIS with a copy of your passport identity page and financial documentation.
• You will also need to be in contact with your academic advisor, who will need to provide OIS with written confirmation that you are eligible to return to your program of study.  Some departments may require that you also submit a returning student form; you will need to check with your academic advisor if this will be required of you.

When you return to IU, you will be required to attend international student orientation.  We understand that you are familiar with IU and were previously a student here.  However, immigration regulations have updates and changes and we want to be sure you are adequately prepared for success in your program and are updated with the most recent information we have since the last time you were a student at IU.  During orientation, you will be required to take the English Proficiency Exam.

When you return to your program of study, you will need to enroll again as a full-time student. If you wish to return in the summer, please note that you will be permitted to enroll during the second eight weeks of the summer term only. Enrollment requirements for summer will be: 6 credit hours for undergraduate students, 4 credit hours for graduate students (3 credit hours for graduate students with a Student Academic Appointment of 37.5-50% FTE, whose graduate department supports this enrollment).

Break From Studies—No Enrollment

If you will be taking a leave of absence from your program of study and not enrolling in classes, you should start by completing the “Exit Form” on iStart.  We will respond to your e-form with information about the actions we will take on your SEVIS record and the steps you will need to take if you choose to continue your education with Indiana University in the future.  If you have questions about this information or if you wish to discuss your plans in greater detail, you may call OIS (855-9086) to make an appointment with an advisor or you may email an advisor at ois@indiana.edu.

If you take a leave of absence from your program for more than one semester and are not enrolled during that time, we will terminate your SEVIS record which will end your legal J-1 status, and you will not be able to remain in the US as an J-1 student.  This means that when you are ready to resume your program of study at IU, you will need to request a new DS-2019 and pay the SEVIS fee again from OIS before you can return to the US.

In addition, you will need to get a new US visa.  Any student outside the US for more than 5 months will need to obtain a new US visa (see more info).  If you need to obtain a copy of your transcripts, please visit the registrar’s website to request a copy.

Please note that your IU email account may expire when you’re not enrolled as a student at IU anymore, unless you have an Imail or Umail account!  Be sure to forward important pieces of information to a non-IU account or log into webmail to change your current account to an Imail or Umail account.

When you are ready to return to your program of study:

• Contact OIS 4 months before you plan to return.  You can do this by emailing ois@indiana.edu with your name, university ID number, and the semester in which you plan to return.  If you are sponsored by another program (e.g. IIE) please also contact your program sponsor to obtain a new DS-2019.
• You will need to provide OIS with a copy of your passport identity page and financial documentation.
• You will also need to be in contact with your academic advisor, who will need to provide OIS with written confirmation that you are eligible to return to your program of study.  Some departments may require that you also submit a returning student form; you will need to check with your academic advisor if this will be required of you.

When you return to IU, you will be required to attend international student orientation.  We understand that you are familiar with IU and were previously a student here.  However, immigration regulations have updates and changes and we want to be sure you are adequately prepared for success in your program and are updated with the most recent information we have since the last time you were a student at IU. If your academic unit does not have a record of your previous results, you may also be required to take the English Proficiency Exam during orientation.

When you return to your program of study, you will need to enroll again as a full-time student. If you wish to return in the summer, please note that you will be permitted to enroll during the second eight weeks of the summer term only. Enrollment requirements for summer will be: 6 credit hours for undergraduate students, 4 credit hours for graduate students (3 credit hours for graduate students with a Student Academic Appointment of 37.5-50% FTE, whose graduate department supports this enrollment).

Overseas Research—Enrolled in Research Credits at IU

If you will be doing research overseas please call OIS at 855-9086 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.  If you have already left the US, please be sure to email OIS at ois@indiana.edu to inform us of your departure.  Though you will be outside of the US, you will still need to be enrolled in research coursework appropriate to your degree program at IU while you are away.  Please check with your academic advisor for questions on course enrollment options.

For each semester that you are outside of the US:

• You will need to submit an in-absentia e-form via iStart.
• You are required to maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of your time outside of the US. You may opt to take the IU coverage (your Bursar account will be billed), or you may provide evidence of your non-IU coverage that meets the waiver requirements. You will be asked to upload insurance information through iStart in the in-absentia e-form. Please note that you are not required to have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage while in your home country.
• Be sure to check your OneStart account regularly while you’re gone so that you can be sure that you’re not receiving unexpected charges.  You will need to make this request for each semester that you will be gone (no later than the first week of each semester).
• You will be billed the international student fee each semester you are enrolled.
• Please ask your academic advisor to send an email to ois@indiana.edu confirming the approximate dates that you will be out of the US and what you will be doing while you’re gone.  You will need to be sure this information is sent to OIS by the end of the first week of classes.  We will use that information to update your SEVIS record and keep it active while you’re gone.  Depending on what your academic advisor says about how long you will be gone, you will want to be sure to take care of this for each semester that you will be out of the US.
• Please log into OneStart and update your “local” address to: ℅ Int’l Services, Franklin 306, Bloomington, IN 47405.  We’ll use that to update your SEVIS record.  If your academic department prefers that you use their departmental address, please update your “local” address to their address, using “℅.”  This address information will be used to update your SEVIS record.
• Please be sure you obtain a new travel signature on your DS-2019 before you leave the US.  If you have already departed the US, you will need to log into iStart and to request a travel signature before you return.  You will need to be sure you allow enough time for shipping your DS-2019 to OIS and for us to ship it back to you if you have already left the US.

Overseas Study—Enrolled at IU while Studying in Another Country

If you will be completing an overseas study program outside the US, please call OIS at 855-9086 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.  If you have already left the US, please be sure to email OIS at ois@indiana.edu to inform us of your departure.  You will need to provide our office with documentation of your overseas study program, and you will need to be enrolled in coursework at IU.

While you are outside of the US for an overseas study program:

• You will need to submit an in-absentia e-form via iStart.
• You are required to maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of your time outside of the US. You may opt to take the IU coverage (your Bursar account will be billed), or you may provide evidence of your non-IU coverage that meets the waiver requirements. You will be asked to upload insurance information through iStart in the in-absentia e-form. Please note that you are not required to have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage while in your home country.
• Be sure to check your OneStart account regularly while you’re gone so that you can be sure that you’re not receiving unexpected charges. You will need to make this request for each semester that you will be gone (no later than the first week of each semester).
• You will be billed the international student fee each semester you are enrolled.
• You will need to submit a copy of your overseas study contract to OIS by the end of the first week of classes during the semester in which you are overseas.
• Please log into OneStart and update your “local” address to: ℅ Int’l Services, Franklin 306, Bloomington, IN 47405.  We’ll use that to update your SEVIS record.  If your academic department prefers that you use their departmental address, please update your “local” address to their address, using “℅.”  This address information will be used to update your SEVIS record.
• Please be sure you obtain a new travel signature on your DS-2019 before you leave the US.  If you have already departed the US, you will need to log into iStart and to request a travel signature before you return.  You will need to be sure you allow enough time for shipping your DS-2019 to OIS and for us to ship it back to you if you have already left the US.

Withdrawing from all Classes

If you find that you need to withdraw from all classes, you must first come to the OIS to speak with an advisor.  OIS is the only office on campus that can process a total withdrawal form for you.

If you need to withdraw from classes due to a medical reason, you will need to provide medical documentation from a US medical doctor, clinical psychologist, or doctor of osteopathy.  Please log into iStart to find a Reduced Course Load form for medical reason, which you can submit to your US doctor.  We can use this information to keep your SEVIS record active while you are away from classes.  You can also use this documentation to request a fee appeal from the Office of the Bursar.  For more information on a Bursar fee appeal please visit the bursar’s website.

If your withdrawal from classes is not based on a medical reason, OIS will terminate your SEVIS record for early authorized withdrawal.  You will need to depart from the US within 15 days from the date of withdrawal and you will need to contact our office at least 4 months before you are ready to return.  Your previous DS-2019 will no longer be valid and you will need to request a new one from OIS to return to the US.

You will want to be sure you take care of your housing before you leave the US.  If you live in on-campus housing you will need to talk to the Center Desk at your residence center to make the appropriate arrangements.  Please note that from the date your withdrawal slip is submitted to the Office of the Registrar, you will need to vacate your residence hall within 48 hours.

You will also want to be sure you notify your academic advisor and professors of your withdrawal.  For information about the “Auto-W” please visit the registrar’s website.