Free Tool · Checker

Free F-1 Status Compliance Checker for Schools

Enter the student's enrolment, employment, travel, and SEVIS reporting details — get an instant Compliant, At Risk, or Out of Status verdict per compliance area with prioritised next-step guidance and a downloadable PDF report.

Runs entirely in your browser · No login · No data uploaded

Student Information

Student Name (optional)

SEVIS ID (optional)

Institution (optional)

Check Date

Programme & Enrolment

Study Level

Credits Enrolled This Term

I-20 Programme End Date

SEVIS Status

Reduced Course Load (RCL) — if applicable

Employment & Work Authorisation

Current Employment Type

Travel & Re-Entry Status

Has the student recently travelled outside the USA?

SEVIS Reporting & DSO Contact

DSO Registration US Address Reported to DSO Annual SEVIS Reporting (if applicable)

No compliance result yet

Fill in the student's programme, employment, travel, and reporting details on the left, then click Try Free F-1 Status Compliance Checker → to see the compliance verdict.

How to Use the F-1 Status Compliance Checker in 3 Steps

Follow these steps to get results in under a minute

Enter Programme & Enrolment Details

Enter the student's study level, credits enrolled this semester, I-20 programme end date, and SEVIS status to check the core enrolment compliance requirements.

Enter Employment & Travel Status

Select the student's employment type and hours, travel history, and SEVIS reporting status. The checker validates each item against official F-1 compliance rules.

Get Compliance Verdict & Download

Click the checker for an instant per-area verdict — Compliant, At Risk, or Violation — with prioritised next-step actions. Download a PDF report for your DSO file.

Common Questions

Free F-1 Status Compliance Checker — FAQ

What is F-1 status compliance?

F-1 status compliance refers to a set of legal requirements that international students on an F-1 student visa must meet to maintain their legal status in the United States. Key requirements include maintaining full-time enrolment, working only within authorised limits, keeping a valid I-20, reporting address changes to the DSO within 10 days, and maintaining an active SEVIS record.

What counts as full-time enrolment for F-1 students?

Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester. Graduate students typically need at least 9 credit hours. Language programme students must attend full-time as defined by the programme. Reductions below these thresholds require prior authorisation from the DSO through a Reduced Course Load (RCL) request — otherwise the student is out of status.

What work is permitted on an F-1 visa?

F-1 students may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester (full-time during official breaks). Off-campus work requires specific authorisation: CPT (Curricular Practical Training) must be listed on the I-20 by the DSO; OPT and STEM OPT extensions require an approved EAD card from USCIS. Any work without proper authorisation is considered illegal employment and triggers immediate out-of-status.

What happens if an F-1 student goes out of status?

Going out of F-1 status is a serious immigration violation. The DSO is required to terminate the student's SEVIS record, which means the student loses their legal basis to remain in the USA. The student must either apply for reinstatement through USCIS (if eligible) or depart the US. Out-of-status situations also affect future US visa applications. Contact your DSO immediately if you suspect a compliance issue.

Is this checker a replacement for DSO or immigration attorney advice?

No — this tool provides an educational compliance self-assessment based on standard F-1 requirements. It does not constitute legal immigration advice. Every student's situation is unique and nuanced. Always consult your Designated School Official (DSO) at your institution's international student office, and in complex cases, a licensed immigration attorney, before taking any action.

How Free F-1 Status Compliance Checker Compares

vs spreadsheets, manual processes, and paid platforms

Feature	UniCloud360 Free F-1 Status Compliance Checker	Manual DSO Review	Generic Compliance Checklist	Paid Immigration Software
Instant compliance verdict	✅ Immediate result across all F-1 compliance areas	❌ Manual cross-check against USCIS rules	⚠️ Basic checklist only	✅ Full compliance engine on paid plan
Employment violation detection	✅ Flags unauthorised work, excess hours, missing EAD	❌ Manual review required	⚠️ Yes/No questions only	✅ Advanced rules on paid tier
Travel & I-94 checks	✅ Validates travel signature, visa stamp, and I-94	❌ Not covered	⚠️ Travel section only	✅ Detailed travel check on paid plan
SEVIS & address reporting	✅ Checks reporting compliance and DSO registration	❌ Not covered	⚠️ Partial coverage	✅ Full SEVIS tracking on paid plan
PDF compliance report	✅ One-click PDF for DSO records	❌ No export	❌ No export	✅ Branded PDF on paid plan
No login required	✅ Fully browser-based, no account needed	✅ No login	⚠️ May require sign-up	❌ Platform login required

What DSOs and International Students Are Saying

Trusted by lecturers and students across Sri Lankan universities

4.9

★★★★★

4 reviews

Dr. Sandra Holt

Designated School Official (DSO)

★★★★★

"We use this during our semester compliance reviews to quickly identify students who may be at risk. The employment section is especially thorough — it catches the OPT/EAD timing issue that students frequently miss, which is the number one F-1 violation we see."

Min-Ji Kwon

Graduate Student (F-1 Visa)

★★★★★

"I was nervous about whether my CPT setup was compliant. This tool walked me through every requirement and flagged that my DSO needed to update my I-20 before I started work. Saved me from a serious status violation."

Rahul Iyer

International Student Advisor

★★★★★

"The travel section is something most free tools skip entirely. This checker correctly handles the travel signature expiry and I-94 verification steps — details that matter enormously when a student re-enters the US after a break."

Fatima Al-Zahrawi

STEM OPT Student

★★★★☆

"I used this before my STEM OPT extension kicked in to make sure I had everything right. The 60-day timeline and EAD requirements were clearly explained. The PDF report was useful to bring to my DSO appointment."

Embed This Tool on Your Site

Copy this code to embed the F-1 Status Compliance Checker on your institution's international student portal.

<iframe src="https://unicloud360.com/tools/f-1-status-compliance-checker/" width="100%" height="700" frameborder="0" title="Free F-1 Status Compliance Checker by UniCloud360"></iframe>

More Free International Student Tools

Free International Student Visa Checklist Check document readiness for student visas to USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand — instant verdict with next-step guidance. Free Grant Eligibility Checker for Schools Check student grant eligibility across Federal Pell, State, Merit, STEM, and Emergency grants — instant per-criterion verdict with next-step guidance. Free FAFSA Prep Checklist for Students Generate a personalised FAFSA preparation checklist with every document and detail you need, with progress tracking and PDF export.