Do I have to be enrolled in school?

[74715 0]

I'm a grad student with an F-1 expired, but an I-20 valid until January 2027.  This is my third master's, and I do not intend to complete it as I already have 2 and have working experience in the US under OPT and CPT. I took the Fall 2025 semester off, and will have to go back to school for the Spring 2026 semester starting on January 6, 2026, as I can not take 2 semesters off consecutively. However, my boyfriend and I want to get married in January, but we don't have an exact date yet.

1. Do I have to be enrolled in school and be a full-time student (pay tuition, attend classes) while the application and AoS are processing? Or does the valid I-20 suffices even if I'm not an "active" student?

2. If enrolled back in school full-time, could I apply to jobs under CPT (school allows it if enrolled as a student) and then change my info (name, address, marital status, etc) once I receive the work permit, and state I will not need sponsorship in the future?

3. I'm currently unemployed, but CPT would allow me to work full-time, as I have already completed OPT and am not eligible for OPT again.

[wildbug100420 392]

14 hours ago, 74715 said:

I'm a grad student with an F-1 expired, but an I-20 valid until January 2027.  This is my third master's, and I do not intend to complete it as I already have 2 and have working experience in the US under OPT and CPT. I took the Fall 2025 semester off, and will have to go back to school for the Spring 2026 semester starting on January 6, 2026, as I can not take 2 semesters off consecutively. However, my boyfriend and I want to get married in January, but we don't have an exact date yet.

1. Do I have to be enrolled in school and be a full-time student (pay tuition, attend classes) while the application and AoS are processing? Or does the valid I-20 suffices even if I'm not an "active" student?

2. If enrolled back in school full-time, could I apply to jobs under CPT (school allows it if enrolled as a student) and then change my info (name, address, marital status, etc) once I receive the work permit, and state I will not need sponsorship in the future?

3. I'm currently unemployed, but CPT would allow me to work full-time, as I have already completed OPT and am not eligible for OPT again.

Wow 3 master’s degree 😳? Are you sure your sevis record is still active? It comes across that you're jumping the line to stay in the US rather than consular processing. 

[Boiler 48,370]

I have seen people who have been in the US 20 plus years as a student.

 

There is a proposa to stop this but I do not think it is currently in force.