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Forms

This section contains information for requests by international students and scholars.

This page was last updated on: November 8, 2024.

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Processing Time + Policies

Click the "+" symbol of each section below to learn more.

Processing Times for ISSS Requests

Please allow a 5 working day processing time for any forms/requests submitted.

You will receive an email notification once any forms or documents are ready from the ISSS Office.

  • For requests submitted by 12:00 p.m. Eastern on business days, the date of submission is the first day of ISSS processing time.
  • For requests submitted after 12:00 p.m. Eastern on business days, the following day is the first day of ISSS processing time.
  • For requests submitted on weekends or Institute closures, the next business day is the first day of ISSS processing time.
How to Submit Requests

For F-1 students, please submit forms to ISSS using the appropriate Terra Dotta System (TDS) request.

  • Links to each request are available in the F Student Requests section below.

For J-1 Exchange Visitors, please email the request form to ISSSoffice@rpi.edu.

Digital Signature Policy

ISSS forms which are submitted digitally must have either an original signature on the form or an Adobe digital signature.

How to Scan Documents

Your documents should be scanned by a scanner or mobile app. These scans must be clear and easy to read.

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F Student Requests

This section of forms are for those students who are in F-1 or F-2 status.

ISSS no longer accepts paper requests, as all applications are submitted through Terra Dotta.

I-20 Requests

If you want a new or updated I-20, due to a travel signature, change in major, or any other reason, submit the online request.

To learn more or submit the request, access the New or Updated I-20 Request online.

  • If you are requesting a travel signature on a paper I-20 and want someone else to pick it up, email ISSS with authorization for the person you name to pick up your immigration document.
  • They must bring valid picture ID to pick up your I-20.

Effective October 21, 2021, ISSS can provide F-1 students with an electronic I-20.

  • The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued guidance that has "formally adopted the use of electronic signatures and transmission for the Form I-20".
  • The guidance can be accessed by clicking here.
  • If you are issued an electronic I-20, you must print and sign the document with a "wet" ink signature to physically present as proof of status or for travel.
Address Updates

Current students: update your address on SIS

  • Your U.S. address must be listed under the Local Address (SC) type.
  • Your foreign address outside the U.S. must be listed under the Permanent Address (PR) type.

Pre-Completion OPT (still enrolled at Rensselaer):Update your address on SIS

Post-Completion OPT (graduated from RPI): Update your address in the SEVP Portal within 10 days of each change

STEM OPT: Update your address in the SEVP Portal within 10 days of each change

Bring Family Member (Add Dependent) Request

If you wish to bring a F-2 dependent who is your spouse or child to the U.S., you must obtain a new I-20 for yourself and your dependent(s), which they will use to apply for the F-2 visa.

To learn more or request the addition of the F-2 dependent(s), access the Bring Family Member (Add Dependent) request online.

Change of Education Level Requests

If you wish to change your education level to continue in another degree at RPI, you must obtain a Change of Education Level I-20 no more than 60 days after your graduation or Program End Date (whichever is sooner).

To learn more or request a Change of Level I-20, access the Change of Education Level request online.

Change of Major or Status - Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students must complete an online request for ISSS to sign the Undergraduate Change of Major / Change of Status Form.

This form is used by the Registrar's Office to process changes of major, double degrees, dual degrees, add a major concentration, and change the catalog year.

If your form is to change your major, add a dual major, drop a dual major, or add a double degree, after the major has been updated in SIS, ISSS will issue an updated I-20.

To learn more or request ISSS sign the form, access the Change of Major for Undergraduates request online.

Change of Major or Status Form - Graduate Students

The Graduate Student Request for Change of Status is used for a variety of academic situations prior to graduation from RPI. The form is available on the OGE website.

This form is used to:

  • Change from one academic program to another (cannot be used to add a PhD program)
  • Withdraw from RPI (choose if you do not intend to return to RPI)
  • Take a leave of absence from RPI (choose if you intend to return to RPI in the future)
  • Return to active status (use when returning to RPI after taking a leave)
  • Add an additional degree (primarily used by PhD students adding a Masters degree)
  • Change to part-time
  • Change to full-time

This is the process to submit the form:

  1. You complete Part I and Part II.
  2. You submit the form to your Graduate Program Administrator (GPA) for help getting the Graduate Program Director (GPD) signature.
  3. After the appropriate Academic Approvals are issued, the department provides the form to the Office of Graduate Education (OGE).
    • For medical leaves (taking or returning), Medical Director approval from RPI Health and Counseling must be completed prior to form being submitted to OGE.
  4. OGE reviews the request and provides the Dean of Graduate Education approval. They provide the form to ISSS.
  5. The International Student Services approval is the final approval for all international students on this form.
    • An ISSS staff member will email you if anything is needed for our signature.
  6. After the International Student Services approval is issued, we submit the form to the Registrar's Office for final processing.
    • An ISSS staff member will email you when the form has been submitted.
    • Based on the requested effective semester and the reason(s) for your request, changes will be made in SIS after the Registrar's Office completes their processing.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) via Co-op

All off-campus employment (paid, unpaid, or "volunteer") requires students to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization from ISSS before they start.

  • A Co-op is the quickest and easiest way to get Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization.
  • If CCPD indicates the employment is not eligible for a Co-op, students can apply for Alternate CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Approval.

To learn more or submit your co-op paperwork from CCPD, access the Co-op Application request online.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) via Alternate CPT Approval

All off-campus employment (paid, unpaid, or "volunteer") requires students to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization from ISSS before they start.

  • A Co-op is the quickest and easiest way to get Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization.
  • If CCPD indicates the employment is not eligible for a Co-op, students can apply for Alternate CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Approval.

To learn more or submit your paperwork, access the Alternate CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Approval request online.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) via Alternate CPT Approval - For Graduate Students Only in SUMMER

This process/request is only available to graduate students for SUMMER off-campus employment.

All off-campus employment (paid, unpaid, or "volunteer") requires students to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization from ISSS before they start.

  • A Co-op is the quickest and easiest way to get Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization.
  • If CCPD indicates the employment is not eligible for a Co-op, students can apply for Alternate CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Approval.

To learn more or submit your paperwork, access the Alternate CPT - ONLY for Graduate Students in Summer request online.

Letter Requests

Please note: Full-time certification letters (letters which attest that you are a full-time student) are provided by the Registrar's Office.

ISSS issues three types of letters:

  1. Invitation letters for relatives overseas
  2. Social Security Number application letters
  3. Travel to the U.S. after 5+ months spent outside of the U.S.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Students in their final semester are eligible to apply for OPT to work after graduation. For an overview, click here to see our infographic.

APPLICATION

Step 1: Complete OPT Workshop to learn about OPT requirements

  • This workshop is mandatory, and must be completed for you to apply for OPT.
  • To learn more or complete the workshop, access the OPT Workshop online.

Step 2: Submit OPT application to ISSS

Step 3: Apply for OPT with USCIS after you receive the new I-20 with the OPT recommendation

REPORTING

Step 1: Report to ISSS when your OPT is approved by submitting the EAD Reporting for OPT.

Step 2: After your OPT has been approved by USCIS, you must report all changes to your address and employment within 10 days of the change

  • All changes are reported using your SEVP Portal account.
  • You only need to report directly to ISSS if:
    • You are having trouble accessing your SEVP Portal account (first time users, allow up to 3 days after OPT starts to receive email with set up instructions), or
    • You add or change the answer to the question "How employment is related to course work"
Part-Time Enrollment (RCL) Request

The Part-Time Enrollment (RCL) Request is for students who are requesting to be part-time for a semester. Undergraduate and graduate students need to complete different forms to request part-time status.

Graduate Students

  • Graduate students must complete the Graduate Student Request for Change of Status Form, found on the OGE website.
  • This form will go through a series of approvals before it can be processed.
    • First, submit this form to your Graduate Program Director for signature.
    • Your department will provide the form to OGE for review and signature.
      • Allow up to three weeks for OGE to complete this process.
    • OGE will submit the form to ISSS for review and signature (immigration approval is issued upon ISSS signature).
    • After ISSS provides the final approval, it will be submitted to the Registrar's Office and Bursar.
      • This is when the bill and part-time status will be updated.

Undergraduate Students

Program Extension Request

F-1 students who require additional time to complete their program(s) of study must submit a complete Program Extension Request for processing at least 30 days before* the Program End Date on the I-20.

  • *ISSS will accept an application if submitted less than 30 days before the Program End Date, however, it may not leave adequate time for processing the request.

To learn more or submit your request, access the Program Extension request online.

Readmitted Student I-20 Request

For students who have been readmitted to Rensselaer, you must apply for a new I-20 with ISSS. You can apply for a new I-20 before you have been readmitted, but ISSS cannot issue the I-20 until after your readmission has been approved.

Contact ISSS to request instructions on how to apply for a new I-20 at ISSSoffice@rpi.edu and include the semester and year you want to return to RPI. You will provide your documents electronically to ISSS.

Social Security Number

To learn more about applying for a SSN or request a letter to support your SSN application, access the Social Security Number (SSN) Letter Request online.

STEM OPT

APPLICATION

Students who meet specific criteria are eligible to apply for STEM OPT to continue work after OPT.

To apply for STEM OPT, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Complete STEM OPT Workshop

  • This workshop is mandatory, and must be completed for you to apply for STEM OPT.
  • To learn more or complete the workshop, access the STEM OPT Workshop request online.

Step 2: Submit completed STEM OPT application to ISSS

Step 3: Apply for STEM OPT with USCIS after you receive the new I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation

  • The I-20 will be provided to you by email. You must print and sign the I-20 to apply for STEM OPT.

REPORTING

Step 1: Report to ISSS after your STEM OPT is approved with the STEM OPT EAD Reporting request online.

Step 2: After your STEM OPT has been approved by USCIS, you must report to ISSS every 6 months from the Start Date on your STEM OPT EAD using the STEM OPT Validation Reporting request.

  • At 12 months, you must also complete the Form I-983 Evaluation on Student Progress and upload with your Validation Reporting.
  • At 24 months, you must also complete the Form I-983 Final Evaluation on Student Progress and upload with your Validation Reporting.

Step 3: If your STEM OPT employment changes, you have reporting requirements to ISSS within 10 days of the change.

Transfer Out Request

If you intend to continue your studies at another U.S. school, you should request to transfer out your SEVIS record.

To learn more about a SEVIS transfer or submit your request, access the SEVIS Transfer Out Request for F-1 Students online.

Note: ISSS does not complete transfer forms from your new school. Please provide them with this letter.

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J Exchange Visitor Requests

This section of forms are for exchange visitors who are in J-1 or J-2 status.

Address Change Form

If you are an exchange visitor who has recently moved, please update your address on SIS.

  • Your U.S. address must be listed under the Local address type
  • Your foreign address outside the U.S. must be listed under the Permanent address type.

Each change of address must be reported within 10 days of the change.

Dependent Request Form

If you wish to bring a J-2 dependent who is your spouse or child to the U.S., you must first obtain a new DS-2019 for yourself and your dependent(s), which they will then use to apply for the J-2 visa. To request the additional of the J-2 dependent(s), use the Dependent Request Form.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/dependentrequestform

DS-2019 Request Form

RPI departments will use this form to request a “Form DS-2019” from ISSS. The Form DS-2019 permits a prospective exchange visitor to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain a J visa to enter the United States.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/J1requestform

Extension Request Form

Use the Scholar Extension Request Form to apply for an extension of stay based on your Exchange Visitor program. This form and all required documents must be submitted to ISSS at least 30 days before the Program End Date on the DS-2019.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/J1ScholarExtension

** If you are not a scholar and want to request an extension of stay, contact ISSS.

New Scholar Arrival Form

New scholars need to complete the New Scholar Arrival Form and submit it to ISSS via email along with these documents to check-in:

  • Proof of health insurance coverage
  • Copy of DS-2019
  • Copy of passport biographical page
  • Copy of J-1 visa sticker
  • Copy of Most Recent I-94 Record

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/newscholararrivalform

Social Security Number

See the link below for instructions on how to apply for a Social Security Number.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/SSNinstructionsJ1