Maintaining Status
Immigration Services Advisors are here to assist you with maintaining legal status. Do not hesitate to contact our office with questions.
Compass Portal Login
Compass is the University of Georgia’s portal for benefit applications relating to international students, scholars, faculty, and staff at the University of Georgia. Students should use Compass to request changes and updates regarding their immigration status.
Maintaining Status
International students in the U.S. must comply with all U.S. regulations governing their stay. This can be complex and somewhat frustrating, but the Immigration Services advisors are happy to help. Click on the links below for more detailed information on maintaining legal student status in the U.S.
Extending, Transferring, Changing Immigration Documents
Changes in a student’s academic program may require changes to the immigration documents.
Change of Address
Immigration Services must report all address changes in a student’s SEVIS record. Students will need to log into the Athena account and change the address immediately. Once this is done, the Athena system will notify our office and the update will be recorded in SEVIS.
Extension of Academic Program
Students in F-1 or J-1 student status, and their F-2 and J-2 dependents, may be able to receive extension of their immigration status, if something changes about the academic program, or more time is needed to complete the academic program.
For an extension, the student must have a valid, compelling academic reason for needing more time to complete the program, and this reason or reasons must be confirmed by the academic department or supervising faculty member. The student must submit new proof of adequate funding to the immigration advisor in the Immigration Services office at UGA in order to receive an immigration program extension. If approved, your immigration advisor at UGA will issue a new DS-2019 form, or I-20 form, with a new program end date.
Note that this DOES NOT give you a new F-1 or J-1 “visa” in your passport. If you depart the U.S after receiving an immigration program extension, and your previous F or J visa has expired, you will need to apply for and receive a new visa before returning to the United States.
Changing Degree Level or Major
Upon admission to a new degree program, students should request an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019. This request is to be made within compass.uga.edu.
Transferring to a Different School in the United States
International students in F or J status are eligible to transfer their immigration records in SEVIS to a new U.S. school. This is a separate process form the academic transfer, and involves sending the new U.S. school your active SEVIS F or J record. Students should request the SEVIS transfer in compass.uga.edu
Change of Immigration Status
Students who are currently inside the U.S. and who wish to gain a different immigration status in the United States have two choices:
- Depart the United States and apply for the appropriate visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, and then apply for entry to the U.S. using the visa
- If currently inside the U.S., apply for a “Change of Status” from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) without departing the U.S.
Immigration Advisors can assist students with general questions regarding the “Change of Status” application within the U.S. but seeking outside legal counsel is advised.
Loss of Immigration Status
International students may sometimes find it difficult to maintain their immigration status.
The U.S. government has put into place a procedure for international students to apply for “Reinstatement” to lawful student status.
In order to obtain valid F-1 student status, a student may file for reinstatement inside the United States or travel abroad to regain status.
Note: This process is different for F-1 and J-1 students. J-1 Students seeking information regarding immigration status should contact Immigration Services for additional information.