In addition to the registration procedures for continuing or new degree students, the following steps must be taken by international students (students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents):

All F-1 and J-1 international students who are enrolling at American University for the first time or for a new program are required to bring to International Student Services (ISS) their passport, I-94, and I-20, or DS-2019.
International students are not required to obtain an international student advisor’s signature to register unless they are registering for an internship or cooperative education field experience.

International students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to register full-time (at least 12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduate students) for each semester. International students with F-1 or J-1 visas who intend to initially register for less than full-time credit hours should first consult with an international student advisor. International students who register for less than a full course load are required to obtain written permission from ISS each term. Failure to do so may result in loss of status.
Students who fail to register full-time or fail to provide International Student Services (ISS) with copies of all required immigration documents as of the first day of classes for the semester may be prevented from registering and must meet with an international student advisor in ISS to have the registration STOP removed.

Students in B-1/B-2 status are not eligible to register. For more information regarding this DHS regulation, please contact the International Student Services office.

Audit courses are not counted toward a full course of study for the purpose of maintaining an F-1 or J-1 status. Therefore, F-1 and J-1 students may audit courses only if they are registered full-time for courses taken for credit.

SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor System

Effective January 30, 2003, universities enrolling F-1 and J-1 students are required to report to the DHS any student who fails to maintain status or who completes his or her program. Each term and no later than 30 days after the deadline for registering for classes, universities are required to report the following registration information:

1) whether the student has enrolled, failed to enroll, or dropped below a full course of study without authorization by International Student Services;

2) current address of each enrolled student;

3) graduation, termination date of study, or authorized employment.

Questions concerning DHS regulations should be directed to International Student Services (ISS), Butler Pavilion 410; telephone 202-885-3350; fax 202-885-3354. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For additional information see International Student Admission Requirements.