International Student Services

In order to maintain F-1 status, students must enroll full-time in fall and summer semesters. Summer enrollment is optional unless starting a new program. The following are the full-time requirements for immigration purposes.*

• Fall and Spring
  • Undergraduates = 12 credit hours
  • Graduates = 9 credit hours

• Summer, if starting a new program
  • Undergraduates = 9 credit hours
  • Graduates = 6 credit hours

• Summer, if not starting a new program
  • Enrollment is optional

* Scholarships and academic departments may have additional requirements.

When full-time enrollment is required, the following also applies:

• All courses must apply to your degree to be counted toward the full-time requirement.
• Only 3 hours of online courses can count toward the full-time requirement.
• You cannot take all the full-time requirement hours as pre-requisite courses.
• At least one of your full-time requirement courses must cover the full semester.
• If it is your last semester, you will be considered full-time enrolled for immigration purposes if you take all remaining courses, even if the total hours is less than the normal requirements. For example: A graduate student with 2 classes left in spring will be considered full-time taking those classes, even though it is only 6 credit hours.
• If it is your last semester, if you lack only one class to complete your degree, that course cannot be taken online.
• Not enrolling in enough hours, dropping below full-time during the semester or taking too many online courses are all F-1 violations that can lead to the termination of your visa status.

Summer: Continuing student not starting a new program, enrollment is optional

• If it is your last semester and you lack only one class to complete your degree, that course cannot be taken online.

Alternative ways to meet the full-time enrollment requirement

• Concurrent enrollment - Submit a Concurrent Enrollment Form to the UT Dallas ISSO by Census Day of each semester.
• Graduating semester - Apply for graduation or submit a Reduced Enrollment Form to the ISSO by Census Day of your final semester.
• Authorized, full-time CPT – Alternative available one fall or spring semester per year, a number of restrictions apply.
• Study Abroad – Students who participate in UT Dallas –approved study abroad programs are enrolled full-time in a special UT Dallas course. For information about study abroad opportunities and requirements, contact the Office of International Education.