Maintaining your immigration status can be easy if you know the proper steps to take and keep track of deadlines. Review the information below. If you have any questions, make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator.
Immigration Documents
Passport
Your passport must be valid throughout your stay in the U.S.
Visa
Your visa can expire while you are in the U.S. When you travel outside the U.S., you will need a valid U.S. visa to request re-entry.
I-20 or DS-2019
Your I-20/DS-2019 has to be valid while you are in the U.S. At least thirty days prior to your expiration date, work with ISSS to extend your I-20/DS-2019.
F-1 students should complete the I-20 Program End Date Extension request in their ISSS Connect portal.
I-94
You can print out your most recent I-94 here after each entry to the U.S. You should review for accuracy, download, and keep for your records a copy of your new I-94.
If your entry is not reflected correctly after 24 hours from your entry to the U.S., make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator for assistance.
Required Reporting to ISSS
You must report the following to ISSS:
U.S. address change
All address changes must be made by logging into PAWS and updating the “Mailing” address. This information will be pulled into ISSS Connect and ISSS will update addresses directly.
Your U.S. address must be listed in PAWS as “Mailing” address.
Your home country address must always be listed in PAWS as “Home” address.
Legal name change
Complete a “Updated I-20: Legal Name Update” request through your ISSS Connect portal
Program of study/major change
Complete a “Updated I-20: Change of Major” request through your ISSS Connect portal
Degree level change
Complete a “Updated I-20: Change of Degree Level” request through your ISSS Connect portal
Funding change
Complete a “Financial Information Update” request through your ISSS Connect portal
Full-time Enrollment Requirements
Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester.
Graduate students must enroll in at least 8 credits each fall and spring semester.
Graduate students with an assistantship employed at 33% or greater must enroll in at least 6 graduate credits each fall and spring semester. The Graduate Program may require a higher minimum.
Graduate students in Prelim status must enroll in at least 1 credit each fall and spring semester.
Graduate students in Dissertator status must enroll in at least 3 credits each fall and spring semester.
Summer and WinteriM semesters are optional unless they are your first semester at UWM.
Online Course Enrollment Policy
F-1 visa regulationsrequire in-person coursework.
Up to one 3-credit online course can count toward full-time enrollment each semester. Additional credits over the full-time minimum are allowed to be online credits.
Students authorized for less than full-time enrollment in their final semester: If your remaining credits are only offered online, you will need to add additional credits to meet your in-person coursework requirement.
Sponsored students: You may have additional restrictions based on sponsor allowances.
J-1 visa regulationsrestrict online enrollment.
J-1 non-degree students should contact Sue Conway (conways@uwm.edu) with any questions.
J-1 degree seeking students should contact Jennifer Gruenewald (jgruene@uwm.edu) with any questions.
Less Than Full-Time Enrollment Authorization
Students in their graduating term whose remaining coursework totals less than full-time enrollment are eligible to request authorization for less than full-time enrollment.
F-1 students: The Less than Full-Time Enrollment Authorization Request is available in your ISSS Connect portal under the Documents & Requests tab.
In-person coursework is required; if your remaining credits are only offered online, you will need to add additional credits to meet your in-person coursework requirement.
J-1 students: Contact your ISSS program coordinator to inquire about the steps to complete your request for less than full-time enrollment authorization.
Under limited other circumstances, students may be eligible for less than full-time enrollment; make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator for more information.
Graduation
Congratulations! You are getting ready to graduate! Visit this page for topics to help you prepare for graduation.
Immigration Advising
Students can schedule a 20-minute immigration advising appointment. Virtual, phone, and in-person appointments are available and can be made by calling +1 414-229-4846 or stopping by the CIE main office (Garland 138).
