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ISSS Forms

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

Please allow 10 business days processing time for any forms submitted. You will receive an email notification once any forms or documents are ready from the ISSS Office.

This page was last updated on: January 4, 2022.

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ISSS Form Policy

To submit forms to ISSS, please send them via email to the ISSS office at ISSSoffice@rpi.edu. 

Your documents should be scanned by a scanner or mobile app. These scans must be clear and easy to read. For some free mobile scanning apps, see this Wirecutter article: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-mobile-scanning-apps/

Digital Signature Policy

  • ISSS forms which are submitted digitally must have either an original signature on the form or an Adobe digital signature.
  • Federal forms and documents (such as the Form I-765 and Form I-983) CAN NOT have digital signatures.
    • Federal forms must be signed with an original "wet" ink signature, and scanned.
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F Student Requests

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

I-20 Requests

Fill out the I-20 Request Form to request an updated I-20 (e.g. program changes, funding changes, travel signatures)

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/I20-DS2019requestform

* If you are requesting a travel signature and intend to have someone else pick up your immigration document, please send an email to ISSS with authorization for the person you name to pick up your immigration document. They must bring valid ID to pick up your document.

Address Updates

If you are a current student who has recently moved, please update your address on SIS.

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

If you are a student on Pre-Completion OPT who is still enrolled at Rensselaer, you must complete the ISSS Employer and Personal Updates Form, found here: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSSemployerupdateform

If you are a student on Post-Completion OPT, please see our Alumni page and review the ‘Employment Reporting' section for guidance. Do not complete the Employer Update Form.

If you are a student on STEM OPT who has recently moved or changed employers, please fill out the ISSS Employer and Personal Updates Form, found here: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSSemployerupdateform and provide a new I-983 if you have changed employers.

Affidavit of Support

If you need to obtain a new I-20 (most often for a dependent or for readmitted students) and have a sponsor for your financial requirements, the sponsor must complete and sign the Affidavit of Support to indicate their confirmation of their financial support.

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

Change of Education Level Requests

Students must request a new I-20 when they change their education level. The I-20 is a Change of Education Level I-20, or COL I-20. The three possible education levels at Rensselaer are Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate. Please review the following form and submit all documents in the instructions to ISSS.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/noncotermCOLI20request

Students in the Co-Terminal (co-term) program must submit a request for a Change of Level I-20 (COL I-20) to the Masters education level. There is a specific form for students in the co-term program to request a COL I-20. Please review the following form and submit all documents in the instructions to ISSS.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/cotermCOLI20request

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Submit the application for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to ISSS to request work authorization for off-campus internships and Co-op. For additional information, see the ISSS Current Students page, in the Employment In the U.S. section - Curricular Practical Training.

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

Dependent Request Form

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

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

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.

For an invitation letter for relatives overseas, use this form: https://rpi.box.com/v/inviteletterrequest

To request a letter for a Social Security Number, use this form: https://rpi.box.com/v/SSNletterrequest

To request a letter for Travel to the U.S. after 5+ months spent outside of the U.S., use this form: https://rpi.box.com/v/travelletterrequest

  • If you will be outside of the U.S. for more than five months due to your participation in The Arch, RPI Co-op, or COVID-19, ISSS recommends that you obtain a letter from us to show the CBP Officer at the Port of Entry.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Students in their final semester are eligible to apply for OPT to work after graduation. For an overview, see this infographic: https://rpi.box.com/v/OPTApplicationProcess.

Follow these steps:

  1. Complete OPT Workshop to learn about OPT requirements: https://bit.ly/RPIOPTWorkshop
    • This workshop is mandatory, and must be completed for you to apply for OPT.
    • There are no group workshops, and instead, you will complete an on-demand online workshop from the above link.
    • How to access the OPT Workshop
      1. Follow the link and click the red Apply Now box
        • Click OK when the pop-up box appears asking you if you want to create an application
      2. Login based on your current status at RPI
        • If you have graduated, chose “Log in for alumna/e and staff”, hit Submit, then log in with your personal email provided to ISSS on your OPT application
          • If you did not set up your account with Terra Dotta based on a previous message from ISSS, you must click the log in button, then click the link for “Forgot your password” to set up your account
      3. After you log in, choose the Request for the year you are accessing the content
        • Example: If you submit your application in 2021, choose “Request, 2021”
        • Example: If you submit your application in 2022, choose “Request, 2022”
        • Not all options will be available at all times
  2. Attend a Group Question & Answer sessions to ask general questions about OPT: https://rpi.box.com/v/SP22-GroupQandA
    • This step is not required, but is recommended if you have questions.
  3. Submit completed OPT application to ISSS: https://bit.ly/RPIOPTApplication
    • Allow 10 business days for processing and review of the OPT application
    • To access the OPT application, follow the instructions in Step 1 (but click this link)
  4. After you receive the new I-20 with the OPT recommendation, you will apply for OPT with USCIS.

Additional Resources:

Program Extension Request

F-1 students who require additional time to complete their program(s) of study must complete the Program Extension Request Form and submit this to ISSS along with all required documents at least 30 days before* the Program End Date on the I-20.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/F1programextension

*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.

Readmitted Student I-20 Request

For students who have been readmitted to Rensselaer, you must apply for a new I-20 with ISSS. Please complete the Readmit I-20 Request Form and submit this via email to ISSS along with the required documentation.

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/readmitI20request

Reduced Course Load Request

The Reduced Course Load Request Form 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.

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students

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/SSNinstructionsF1

See the link below for the F-1 Social Security Number Letter Request to provide to your on-campus employer:

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

STEM OPT

COVID-19 Update: While we are still working remotely, ISSS will accept the Form I-983 without signatures at the start of the STEM OPT application process. All other content must be completed, and ISSS will complete a review and advise on any changes before you obtain signatures. The Form I-983 will need to be signed before ISSS can process your STEM OPT I-20, and ISSS will advise you when the form is ready to be signed.

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

  1. Complete STEM OPT Workshop to learn about requirements: https://bit.ly/STEMOPTworkshop
    • This workshop is mandatory, and must be completed for you to apply for STEM OPT.
    • How to access the STEM OPT Workshop
      1. Follow the link and click the red Apply Now box
        • Click OK when the pop-up box appears asking you if you want to create an application
      2. Login to the TDS software system
        • Since you have graduated, chose “Log in for alumni and staff”, hit Submit, then log in with your personal email provided to ISSS on your OPT application
          • If you did not set up your account with Terra Dotta based on a previous message from ISSS, you must click the log in button, then click the link for “Forgot your password” to set up your account
      3. After you log in, choose the Request for the year you are accessing the content
        • Example: If you submit your application in 2021, choose “Request, 2021”
        • Example: If you submit your application in 2022, choose “Request, 2022”
        • Not all options will be available at all times
  2. Submit completed STEM OPT application to ISSS: https://bit.ly/STEMOPTapplication
    • Allow 10 business days for processing and review of the STEM OPT application
    • To access the STEM OPT application, follow the instructions in Step 1 (but click this link)
    • ISSS no longer accepts paper applications, effective November 2021.

After your STEM OPT has been approved by USCIS, you have reporting requirements to ISSS.

  1. To comply with federal reporting regulations, complete the STEM OPT Employer Reporting Form and submit this to ISSS via email every 6 months from the Start Date on your STEM OPT EAD.
Transfer Out Request

To request a SEVIS transfer, complete the ISSS Transfer Request: https://bit.ly/transferISSS

  • How to access the Transfer Request Application
    1. Follow the link and click the red Apply Now box
      • Click OK when the pop-up box appears asking you if you want to create an application
    2. Login based on your current status at RPI
      • If you have graduated, chose “Log in for alumna/e and staff”, hit Submit, then log in with your personal email provided to ISSS on your OPT application
        • If you did not set up your account with Terra Dotta based on a previous message from ISSS, you must click the log in button, then click the link for “Forgot your password” to set up your account
    3. After you log in, choose the Request for the year you are accessing the content
      • Example: If you submit your application in 2021, choose “Request, 2021”
      • Example: If you submit your application in 2022, choose “Request, 2022”
      • Not all options will be available at all times

ISSS no longer accepts paper applications as of November 2021.

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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 a current student or scholar 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.
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 I-20 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/dependentrequest

DS-2019 Request Form

Fill out the DS-2019 Request Form to request an updated I-20 (e.g. program changes, funding changes, travel signatures)

Form URL: https://rpi.box.com/v/I20-DS2019requestform

* If you are requesting a travel signature and intend to have someone else pick up your immigration document, please send an email to ISSS with authorization for the person you name to pick up your immigration document. They must bring valid ID to pick up your document.

Extension Request Form

Use the Scholar Extension Request Form to apply for an extension of stay based on your program of study. This form must be submitted ISSS along with all required documents 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