CPT Request

iStudents wishing to obtain off-campus work authorization BEFORE graduation must apply online for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Authorization. Follow this link for more information about Curricular Practical Training.

*Students cannot begin work until CPT is approved*

OPT Request

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization for F-1 students AFTER graduation. Please see the OPT application process and determine which of the 4 OPT request forms is appropriate for your graduation term.

OPT Employer Reporting

Once your OPT is approved and you have secured a job, you need to report your work details to Immigration through us. Follow this link for more information about OPT Employment Reporting.

OPT Loss of Employment

If you are currently authorized to work under OPT but no longer work at the employer you reported, please submit this form. You are permitted to be unemployed for a maximum of 90 days during your first year of OPT.

If you are changing OPT Employers, please use the OPT Employer Reporting form.

STEM Request

If you are in an approved STEM field and would like to extend your OPT authorization for an additional 2 years, you need to begin the STEM application process by submitting this form.

STEM 6 & 18 Month Reporting

Every 6 months, students must submit their I-983 confirming that their SEVIS information correctly identifies their: Legal name, Residential or mailing address, Employer name and address, and Status of current employment.

STEM 12 & 24 Month Reporting

Every 12 months, students must submit their I-983 form with updated page 5 as well as confirm that their SEVIS information correctly identifies their: Legal name, Residential or mailing address, Employer name and address, and Status of current employment.

STEM Change of Employer

Students are permitted to change employers while on STEM OPT. The new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before the student begins to work for pay. The student must submit a new Form I-983 within 10 days of starting the new practical training opportunity. Follow this link for more information about STEM Employment Reporting.

STEM Loss of Employment

If you lost your current STEM OPT employment and are currently unemployed, please submit this form so we can update your immigration record. You can be unemployed while on STEM OPT for a maximum of 150 days. This includes the 90 days of unemployment permitted during your first year of OPT. 

If you are changing STEM Employers, please use the STEM Change of Employer form.

Change of U.S. Address

Any change in address (even apartment number) needs to be reported with 10 days, This should be done in MyBanner. Please follow this link for more information about Change of Address. 

Change of Overseas Address

Your Overseas ("permanent") address needs to be accurate on your Immigration record.

US Cell Phone Number

Providing the ISS Team with your US Cell Phone Number is not required by Federal Regulations, however, we recommend that you provide us with your number so that we can provide the best service possible. 

Travel Signature (F-1)

A valid travel signature is required for re-entry to the USA. F-1s should fill out this online form. J-1s should stop by our office to receive the travel signature in-person. Please follow this link for more information about Travel.

Add a Dependent

F-2 dependents can be added to an F-1 student as long as the dependent is a spouse or child less than 21 years old. This needs to be processed in SEVIS as a Dependent I-20 and an additional application must be submitted to USCIS. Please note that Financial Verification will be required for each dependent.

Add a Major/ Minor

This is for undergraduates only. If you have added a second Major or a Minor, this needs to be updated in SEVIS. Please submit your changes here, and we will update your SEVIS record accordingly. Please note that your Major/ Minor must be updated in Banner as well.

Change of Major/ Program

Any change in your Major, Program, or Minor needs to be updated in SEVIS. Please submit your changes here, and we will update your SEVIS record accordingly. Please note that your Major/Program/Minor must be updated in Banner as well. 

Change of Level

If you are switching from one degree level to another, this needs to be processed in SEVIS as a Change of Level. Please submit your changes here, and we will update your SEVIS record accordingly. Please note that you must be admitted to the new program/major, have provided adequate proof of finances to your Laker Portal, and your new program/major must be reflected in Banner as well. 

Change of Status

If you are switching from another visa type into F-1, this needs to be processed in SEVIS as a Change of Status I-20 and an additional application must be submitted to USCIS. Please note that you must be admitted and have provided adequate Proof of Finances to your Laker Portal.

SEVIS Transfer Out

F-1 students submit this form if transferring to a new school. All information must be completed before we can transfer your SEVIS record. Please note you must provide proof of admission from the new school.

SEVIS Transfer In

F-1 students submit this form if they are transferring into GVSU from another school. All information must be complete before we can process a GVSU I-20. Please note that you must be admitted and have provided adequate Proof of Finances to your Laker Portal.

Concurrent Enrollment

Your immigration record must be updated if you take classes at another school while taking classes at GVSU. Please note you must provide proof of course registration from the new school.

Reduced Course Load

F-1 iStudents can be authorized for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for two reasons: (1) final semester of study or (2) illness or medical condition. Please follow this link for more information about Reduced Course Load Authorization.

Multiple Delivery Attestation

Student registered for a Multiple Delivery (MD) course along with another online course, must submit this form to confirm that they will attend the MD course fully in-person for the duration of the semester.

Tourist Visa Support Letter

Graduating iStudents can request a letter supporting your invitation of a relative who is applying for a tourist visa.

Status Verification

This produces a letter from our office verifying an International Student's status at GVSU. This letter can be used for purposes such as passport renewal or support to enter another country for personal travel.