International Students

International students on the Lesley Form I-20/F-1 sponsorship must always comply with the F-1 regulations. Please visit the Lesley Office of International Student Services (ISS) website, International Student Services (ISS) | Lesley University, for the proper F-1 compliance, enrollment, and work authorization information.

Information regarding F-1 status international student enrollment, work authorization and other academic changes is reported to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

The Lesley I-20 only permits study of Lesley University coursework. It does not permit coursework outside of Lesley, including that from online schools.

It is your legal responsibility to be attentive to your immigration status. Failure to do so, could jeopardize your legal status in the United States. Read all correspondence from the Lesley International Student Advisor regularly to stay current with evolving F-1 regulatory changes.

International students on a Lesley sponsored Form I-20 are required to:

• keep the Lesley International Student Advisor and US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) apprised of any changes related to their US address within 10 days of the change.
• maintain a full course of study every fall and spring semester, consisting of nine 9 credits for graduates and 12 credits for undergraduates, with a limit of 3 on-line credits in fulfilling their full-time requirement, except during official school breaks or unless approved under a specific exception in advance by the Lesley International Student Advisor through issuance of a new I-20 authorizing the reduction in courseload. F-1 students finishing their program of study during a summer term will be required to have in-person enrollment during such summer term.
• obtain a new Lesley Curricular Practical Training (CPT) I-20 authorization before participating in any, internship, practicum, fieldwork, experience (paid or unpaid, remote, hybrid or in person).
• obtain a new Lesley I-20, and authorization from USCIS before participating in any off-campus work authorization (remote, hybrid or in person).
• obtain a new Lesley I-20 before making changes to your education level or major.
• keep your I-20 program of study end date accurate at all time. You must obtain an updated I-20 to either extend or shorten the I-20 prior to the change in date taking place.

International students requesting an I-20 to participate in a low residency program will be issued an I-20 for the brief residency period of 5-14 days. Lesley residencies occur in January or summer as per program requirement. Students must depart from the US after each residency. F-1 low-residency students will not be eligible for F-1 related benefits, including on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Lesley does not issue low-residency I-20s to petition to USCIS for a change of non-immigrant status or to transfer between US F-1 programs. Additionally, a tourist visa, including through the visa waiver program, does not permit any type of study from within the US, as US immigration law requires individuals to enter the US with the appropriate visa for their primary intended activity. 

International students not sponsored by the Lesley F-1 program should consult with their immigration attorney on compliance questions specific to their status. Lesley’s ISS is also able to provide an immigration attorney referral list upon request. It is the international student’s responsibility to maintain legal non-immigrant status.