F-1 Student Visa in Washington in WA — Immigration… | CGMIMM
Immigration · WA
F-1 Student Visa in Washington
Washington F-1 international students must maintain full-time enrollment, limit work to specific exceptions (CPT/OPT), keep I-20 valid, and apply for OPT before graduation for legal work authorization.
Published May 9, 2026
## F-1 student visa in Washington
The **F-1 visa** allows foreign nationals to study at US schools. Washington international students at universities, colleges, language schools, and approved K-12 schools must maintain specific status requirements + can work only in limited circumstances.
## Eligibility
**To qualify:**
- Accepted by SEVP-certified school
- Full-time student
- Sufficient funds
- Bona fide intent to return home
- Strong ties to home country
- Adequate English proficiency (or learning)
## Application process
**1. School admission:**
- Apply to SEVP-certified school
- Acceptance letter
- Financial documentation
**2. Form I-20:**
- Issued by school's DSO (Designated School Official)
- Establishes program of study
- SEVIS record created
- I-901 SEVIS fee ($350) paid
**3. Visa application:**
- DS-160 online application
- Pay visa fee ($185)
- Schedule embassy/consulate interview
- Documentation prepared
**4. Embassy interview:**
- Verify ties to home country
- Verify intent to study
- Verify financial support
- Approve / deny / 221(g)
**5. Entry:**
- Up to 30 days before program start
- Present I-20 + visa at port of entry
- Admission for "D/S" (duration of status)
## Maintaining F-1 status
**Required:**
- **Full-time enrollment** — minimum credit hours
- **Make academic progress** toward degree
- **Maintain I-20 validity** — extensions, transfers
- **Report changes** to DSO (address, etc.)
- **Limit work** to authorized employment
- **Don't violate immigration laws**
- **Maintain valid passport** (6 months beyond stay)
**Drops below full-time:**
- DSO can authorize for medical / academic reasons
- Otherwise = out of status
- Severe consequences
## Working as F-1 student
**On-campus employment:**
- Up to 20 hours/week during term
- Full-time during breaks
- No special authorization needed
- DSO can stop if affecting studies
**Off-campus employment — limited:**
**1. CPT (Curricular Practical Training):**
- Must be integral part of curriculum
- Authorized by DSO
- Up to 12 months full-time without losing OPT
- 12+ months full-time = NO OPT eligibility
- Generally tied to specific program
**2. OPT (Optional Practical Training):**
- Up to 12 months total
- Pre-completion or post-completion
- Apply 90 days before graduation (post-completion)
- $470 application fee
- 90-day USCIS processing typical
- Authorized work in degree field
**3. STEM OPT extension:**
- Additional 24 months for STEM degree holders
- Total: 36 months OPT
- E-Verify employer required
- More requirements + reporting
**4. Severe economic hardship:**
- Special USCIS authorization
- Limited circumstances
- Not commonly used
**5. Approved international organization employment:**
- Specific designations
- Limited circumstances
## OPT timing critical
**Application window:**
- 90 days before graduation
- Up to 60 days after graduation
- USCIS receipt = work authorization eventually
- Cannot work until EAD card received
**Common mistakes:**
- Filing late
- Working before EAD
- Working outside field of study
- Unemployment exceeds limits (90 days standard, 150 days STEM)
## Unemployment + status
**During OPT:**
- 90 days unemployment allowed
- 150 days during STEM extension
- Beyond limits = out of status
- Volunteering may count as employment
- Self-employment counts
**Document employment** carefully.
## Travel + visa stamping
**Within US:**
- Generally fine if status maintained
- I-20 endorsement for travel
**Outside US + return:**
- Need valid F-1 visa stamp + valid I-20 + travel signature
- DSO must sign I-20 within 12 months for current student
- 6 months for OPT students
- F-1 visa renewal sometimes needed
**Risks of travel:**
- Visa denial / 221(g)
- Reentry refusal
- Particularly post-OPT or near-graduation
- Plan carefully
## Transferring schools
**SEVIS transfer:**
- New school accepts
- Both DSOs coordinate
- New I-20 issued
- Continue F-1 status
- Specific procedures + deadlines
## Change of program
**Within school:**
- New I-20 issued for new program
- DSO authorizes
- Generally smooth
**Adding majors / minors:**
- Update I-20
- Maintain progress requirement
## Dependents (F-2)
**Spouse + children under 21:**
- F-2 status
- Cannot work
- Children attend K-12 OK
- Spouse can pursue casual study (not full-time degree)
- Dependent on F-1's status
## Common F-1 violations
- Working without authorization
- Dropping below full-time without authorization
- Failing to make academic progress
- Failing to maintain valid I-20
- Overstaying (after I-20 ends + grace period)
- Unauthorized program changes
- Failing to report address changes (within 10 days)
- Continuing OPT after employment ends (limits)
## Out of status — consequences
**Severe consequences:**
- Cannot extend program
- Cannot apply for benefits
- Subject to removal
- Inadmissibility issues
- Future visa denials
**Reinstatement** sometimes possible:
- DSO can request
- USCIS approves
- Specific circumstances
- Difficult but available
**Departure + reapply** sometimes needed.
## Path to longer-term status
**Common transitions:**
**OPT → H-1B:**
- Employer sponsors H-1B
- Cap-gap protection (April-October)
- STEM OPT helps with cap lottery process
- Most common path
**O-1 visa:**
- Extraordinary ability
- For exceptional individuals
- High bar
- No cap
**Family-based green card:**
- Marriage to USC / LPR
- Adjustment of status
- Requires legal entry + maintained status
**Employment-based green card:**
- PERM + I-140 + I-485 process
- Long backlogs for many countries
- Often pursued during H-1B
**Investor visas (E-2, EB-5):**
- Specific requirements
- Capital investment
## SEVIS reporting requirements
**Schools must report:**
- Enrollment status changes
- Address changes (10 days)
- Program changes
- Authorized leaves
- Failure to enroll
- Disciplinary issues (sometimes)
**Real-time monitoring** of F-1 students.
## Recent issues + trends
**Continuing issues:**
- Increased scrutiny at consulates
- 221(g) administrative processing common
- Visa stamping wait times vary
- COVID-related interruptions
**Policy shifts (2025+):**
- F-1 program reviews
- OPT scrutiny
- STEM OPT challenges + protections
- Always check current policy
## What you should do
If you're an F-1 student in Washington or considering one: maintain status meticulously, communicate with DSO regularly, plan OPT/H-1B early, and consult immigration counsel for transitions. Most Washington immigration attorneys handle F-1 issues. School DSOs are excellent resources for routine matters but immigration attorneys for complex situations.
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*This guide is general information about US federal immigration law as of mid-2026 and is not legal advice. F-1 status is technical + closely monitored. Talk to a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation.*
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change and outcomes depend on your specific situation — talk to a licensed attorney before acting on anything you read here.