Registration holds
All incoming international graduate students have at least one registration hold on their record; many have two or more. The following are the most common registration holds that new international students will need to resolve:
AI hold: “Determine Current Visa Status”. Managed by ISSS:
The purpose of this hold is to ensure new students fulfill some regulatory requirements for their visa upon arrival in the U.S.
The effective date of the AI hold for Fall 2025 admits is August 27, 2025. It will not impact a student’s ability to register prior to this date, though you will still see the hold in the student record.
For permanent removal of this hold, all new international graduate students must complete the New Global Gopher Required Tasks (also covered in the ‘Pre-Arrival Information’ page of this guide).
Questions about the AI hold? Email [email protected].
AZ hold: ESL. Managed by MELP
This hold is placed by Admissions and managed by the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP). This hold does prevent registration. To temporarily remove this hold, students must attend an AZ webinar with MELP. To have it permanently removed, the student must pass an ESL course.
Questions about the AZ hold? Email [email protected]
MJ/MG holds: “Grad School Final Degree Transcript”. Managed by the Grad School.
These holds are placed on students who need to submit official transcripts/credentials. They are not active for a student’s first term and will not affect initial registration.
Questions about the MJ or MG holds? Email [email protected].
Enrollment Requirements
Credit Load
International students must take a full-time credit load:
- Graduate students: Minimum of 6 credits per semester
- Professional degree students: Between 6 and 12 credit minimum, depending on program
Online Course Limitations
F-1 graduate students are required to take a minimum of 3 in-person or blended credits. Remaining credits may be online or remote.
J-1 students can take a maximum of one online course per semester. J-1 students are allowed to take in-person classes with virtual components; hybrid classes that predominantly require in-person student attendance would be considered in-person courses.
Courses that count towards in-person credits are “in-person” and “hybrid” or “blended” courses. Courses that are considered online are courses with an “online” or “remote” designation.
Summer enrollment for most continuing students is optional and is not subject to this requirement.
Reduced Course Load Requests
All F-1 and J-1 international students must receive approval from ISSS to drop below full-time enrollment.
Immigration regulations require international students to complete a full course of study each term during the academic year, but there are some reasons that a student may need to drop below full-time. A student may request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) from ISSS if they meet the criteria outlined by immigration regulations. If you have questions about Reduced Course Loads, please contact [email protected] or 612-626-7100.
