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border commuter f-1 status

The Border Commuter I-20 is available to students who are citizens of Mexico and attend a U.S. institution within 75 miles of the U.S.–Mexico border. Border commuters may study either full-time or part-time. As long as classes are in session, a student may switch from a full-time I-20 to a part-time I-20 at any point during the semester.

full-time border commuter

Full-time border commuter students must be enrolled full-time every semester to maintain their F-1 visa status.  A student who lives in Ciudad Juarez and attends ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ on full-time basis is issued an I-20 for the entire length of their program.

 

part-time border commuter

A student who wishes to attend ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ part-time will be issued an I-20 for one semester of enrollment. The student must request a renewal of the I-20 by submitting the Part-Time Border Commuter e-form request via every semester at least one month before the expiration date on the I-20.  If the request is made after the end date, the student falls out of F-1 status and must request a reinstatement of the F-1 status and pay a new SEVIS again. 

 

The student MUST be enrolled in the following to maintain part-time border commuter status:

  • ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Students:
    • At least 6 credit hours per term. Only one 3-credit online course may count towards this requirement.  
  • Graduate Students:
    • At least one 3-credit IN-PERSON course. 

rules for border commuters

  • Students MAY NOT live in the U.S.
  • Students MAY NOT own a car with American plates.
  • Students MAY NOT have an F-2 dependent
  • Students MAY work on or off campus through Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Students MUST renew the I-20 every semester before the expiration date located on page 1 of the I-20. This gives students continuous status which is important for maintaining eligibility for work authorization. If students do not renew the I-20 on time, they have to wait until they have two terms of continuous status for work eligibility.

 

falling out of status

If you fall out of status, you must regain your status to continue studying legally at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ.

 

Common reasons why students lose F-1 status

  • Not enrolling in sufficient credit hours, student has a full-time I-20
  • Not earning sufficient credit hours (“W” grades don't count as credit earned to maintain immigration status), student has a full-time I-20
  • Being fired from a required full-time CPT during a semester in which a student was not taking any classes
  • Allowing the I-20 to expire and not requesting an extension before the expiration date
  • Not completing the program by that date, and being ineligible for an I-20 extension
  • Being a part-time Border Commuter who forgot to submit a request form to obtain an I-20 renewal before the expiration date of the current I-20.

 

loss of status

If you lose your F-1 status, you also lose eligibility for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) for one year.

Steps to Reinstate F-1 Border Commuter Status

  1. Request a letter from your academic advisor confirming your expected graduation date.

  2. Submit the advisor letter along with an I-20 Request Form through Sunapsis.

  3. Submit an updated Confirmation of Financial Resources for approval.

    • Mexican students must also submit the PASE e-form.

  4. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350) online at and print the receipt.

  5. Turn in your I-94 at a U.S. port of entry and exit the United States.

  6. Re-enter the U.S. with your passport, valid visa, new I-20, and I-901 payment receipt.

    • You must be issued a new I-94 when you re-enter.

  7. Important: You must have a multiple-entry F-1 visa to complete this process.

    • If you do not have one, meet with an OIP advisor before attempting re-entry.

    • If your F-1/F-3 visa has expired, you may need to obtain a new one before re-entering. For more information, see Travel & Re-Entry.

  8. After re-entering, visit OIP with:

    • Your I-20 showing the port of entry stamp, and

    • Your new I-94.

  9. As long as you are enrolled full-time for the term your I-20 begins, OIP will register your I-20 record in SEVIS, and your F-1/F-3 status will be valid again.