You are welcome here. You belong here. We support you here.

Forms

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

Please allow 10 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.

This page was last updated on: June 23, 2022.

Accordion

Form Policy

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.

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.
How to Scan Documents

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

Accordion

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: https://bit.ly/I20request.

  • If you are request a travel signature on a paper I-20 and intend to have someone else pick it up, 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 I-20.

Effective October 21, 2021, ISSS is able to 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 here: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/I20-guidance.pdf.
  • If you are issued an electronic I-20, you must print and sign the document 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: https://bit.ly/bringfamilymembers.

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: https://bit.ly/COLrequest.

Change of Major - Undergraduate Students

There is an online request for undergraduate students to request ISSS sign the Undergraduate Change of Major Form and issue an updated I-20.

To learn more or request ISSS sign the form, access the Change of Major for Undergraduates request online: https://bit.ly/UGchangemajor.

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: https://bit.ly/COOPapplication.

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: https://bit.ly/CPTrequest.

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
    • To learn more or request this letter, access the Social Security Number (SSN) Letter Request online: https://bit.ly/letter-SSN
  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, see this infographic: https://rpi.box.com/v/OPTApplicationProcess.

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.
    • There are no group workshops, and instead, you complete an on-demand online workshop.
  • To learn more or complete the workshop, access the OPT Workshop request online: https://bit.ly/RPIOPTWorkshop.

Step 2: Submit OPT application to ISSS

  • To learn more or complete the online request, access the Optional Practical Training (OPT) request online: https://bit.ly/RPIOPTApplication.
  • Allow 10 business days for processing and review of the OPT application.

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

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

Additional Resources:

REPORTING

Step 1: Report to ISSS when your OPT is approved using this link: https://bit.ly/postOPT-EAD-reporting.

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 here: info.rpi.edu/graduate-academics/forms-publications-policies
  • 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: https://bit.ly/programextensionISSS.

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 apply for a new I-20 at ISSSoffice@rpi.edu. 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: https://bit.ly/letter-SSN.

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.
    • There are no group workshops, and instead, you complete an on-demand online workshop.
  • To learn more or complete the workshop, access the STEM OPT Workshop request online: https://bit.ly/STEMOPTworkshop.

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 when your STEM OPT is approved using this link: https://bit.ly/stem-EAD-reporting.

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: https://bit.ly/STEMvalidation

  • 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.

  • If the change is to your U.S. phone number or address, make the change yourself in your SEVP Portal account.
  • If the change is to any information listed on your Form I-983, submit the STEM OPT: Reporting Change to Current Employment request in Terra Dotta: https://bit.ly/STEMchangereport.
  • If the change is that you are starting a new job, submit the STEM OPT: Report Start of Employment request in Terra Dotta: https://bit.ly/STEMstartreport.
  • If the change is that you are ending a job before the end of your STEM OPT, submit the STEM OPT: Report End of Employment request in Terra Dotta: https://bit.ly/STEMendreport.
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: https://bit.ly/transferISSS.

Accordion

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/dependentrequestform

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