Current Students

Students currently studying at Purdue can find information on services according to their immigration status (F-1 or J-1 students) in the menu on the left of this site.

F-1 students needing authorization for internships off-campus during their studies or who will graduate soon and wish to apply for Optional Practical Training should review our Practical Training for F-1 Students sites.

Online Documents

Resources and Requests

Please use this page to link to the current process, and follow instructions on the site for each individual type of request.

To be fair to all students, ISS cannot accommodate expedite requests. The standard processing time for all requests is 14 calendar days. Please plan accordingly.

 

All Student Services

Address Update (U.S. Residential)

All international students and scholars must maintain a valid local address at all times, updating changes within 10 days

Bank Account Letter Request

Some banks require verification of local address in order to open a bank account. Please ask for guidance by submitting MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor

Biographical Information

Update changes in your biographical information, including city and country of birth, country of permanent residence, and native language by submitting MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor

Biographical Info Name Change 

If your official name in your passport or your preferred name has changed, please ask to update it by submitting MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor.

Change of Immigration Status to F-1/J-1 Student 

Non-immigrants seeking to change status to F-1 or J-1 student status should discuss options with ISS according to options on Contact Student Services | ISS (purdue.edu)

Contact Information

Update your home address, non-university email and/or phone number by submitting MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Address Update

Early Departure and Reentry

Students who need to take time off from their education but plan to return to Purdue should submit MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Intent to End F-1/J-1 Student Program

I-515 Response 

If you receive a Form I-515 when entering the US, please submit MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor to request instructions.

I-94 Issue

If you notice your I-94 record is incorrect after traveling, please submit MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>I-94 Correction Request to inform ISS as well as give us permission if needed to request US govt assistance.

Inviting Friends and Family Letter

Invitation letters are not required to apply for a visitor visa to the US, but you may want to write your own letter or request one from the Office of the Registrar.

No Objection Letter – Classes (Academic Year)

If you are a continuing student, and the university where you plan to take another course during the academic year requires a “no objection letter," please submit MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor to request assistance.

No Objection Letter – Classes (Summer)

If you are a continuing student, and the university where you plan to take another course during the summer requires a “no objection letter," please submit MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor to request assistance.

No Objection Letter – Conference Reimbursement

If you will receive reimbursement for attending a conference and require a “no objection letter," please submit MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor to request assistance.

No Objection Letter – Non-US Employment (Summer)

If you plan to work outside the US during a university break and require a “no objection letter," please submit MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor to request assistance.

Photocopy Request

Request certified true copies of your past immigration-related documents that may be on file with the ISS office. Do NOT use this form to request your I-20 or DS-2019 if you are a new incoming international student. This form is ONLY for current or past students and scholars to request copies of past immigration-related documents.

MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Photocopy Request for Current and Former Students

Renewing Student Visa

If your student visa is expired, and plan to travel and reenter the U.S., you must renew your student visa. Plan to visit the ISS office at least two weeks prior to your departure date to get your I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed for travel. ISS cannot advise specifically how to apply for visas, but can provide general tips in this document.

Reprint Document

If your I-20 or DS-2019 is lost, stolen, damaged, or out of travel signature space, request a new document by submitting MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Reprint [I-20/DS2019].
F-1 Student Services

Change of Education Level 

  • F-1 students seeking to change their level of study (bachelors, Masters, or PhD) at Purdue should complete a Change of Education Level Request on MyISS.

Change of Major

  • ISS automatically updates majors the semester following the change. Only request a new document if you do not receive an updated one 60 days into the new semester.

Curricular Practical Training Request 

Departure

  • F-1 students planning to cancel or withdraw their enrollment should complete this form and speak with an Immigration Counselor prior to withdrawal.

Dependent – Remove Dependent

  • If an F-2 dependent ends their status for any reason (ex. Changed status, exited the US permanently, divorced, etc.), the F-1 or J-1 holder may request to have the dependent removed from their document.

Dependent – Request Dependent SEVIS Document

Financial Update

Maintaining Legal Status


Program Extension

  • F-1 students must never let their I-20 expire. Program extensions should be completed at the beginning of the semester of which the document would expire. The deadline for extending your document is 14 days before the expiration date listed on the document.

Reduced Course Load for Academic Reason

  • F-1 students must register for and complete a full course of study unless otherwise authorized. There are limited academic reasons for which ISS could authorize a reduced course load. Students must be authorized by ISS before dropping below the full course load.

Reduced Course Load for Medical Reason 

  • F-1 students must register for and complete a full course of study unless otherwise authorized. If a student has a personal medical reason which prevents a full course of study, s/he may apply for a medical RCL. This requires a letter from a medical professional in addition to the linked document. Students must be authorized by ISS before dropping below the full course load.

Regaining Status

SEVIS Release Request (Transfer Out)

Travel Signature Request

  • While a current student, your I-20 must be endorsed for travel in order to reenter the U.S. Travel signatures are generally good for one year, but there are exceptions. If you need a signature and are in West Lafayette, check requirements with the links provided, and then submit a travel signature request online through myISS. Requests must be submitted online in advance. Walk-in signatures are only given for students who have been pre-approved through the online request.

Travel Signature Request While on OPT

  • While on OPT or STEM OPT, your I-20 must be endorsed for travel in order to reenter the U.S. Travel signatures are generally good for six months, but there are exceptions. If you need a signature, check requirements with the links provided, and then update/validate your employment information on myISS using the “OPT Reporting” e-form in order to request a signature.
J-1 Student Services

Academic Training Request

Change of Education Level 

  • J-1 students seeking to change their level of study (bachelors, Masters, or PhD) at Purdue should complete a Change of Education Level Request on MyISS

Change of Major

  • ISS automatically updates majors the semester following the change. Only request a new document if you do not receive an updated one 60 days into the new semester.

Departure

  • J-1 students planning to cancel or withdraw their enrollment should complete this form and speak with an Immigration Counselor prior to withdrawal.

Dependent – J-2 Employment Authorization Application Procedures 

Dependent – Remove Dependent

  • If an J-2 dependent ends their status for any reason (ex. Changed status, exited the U.S. permanently, divorced, etc.), the F-1 or J-1 holder may request to have the dependent removed from their document.

Dependent – Request Dependent SEVIS Document

Financial Update

Maintaining Legal Status

On-Campus Employment Request

  • This form is used to authorize hourly (bi-weekly) employment of Purdue University sponsored J-1 students. It is also used to authorize teaching or research assistantships in departments other than the student's home department. This form must be completed and approved prior to commencing employment.

Program Extension

  • J-1 students must never let their DS-2019 expire. Program extensions should be completed at the beginning of the semester of which the document would expire. The deadline for extending your document is 14 days before the expiration date listed on the document.

Reduced Course Load for Academic Reason

  • J-1 students must register for and complete a full course of study unless otherwise authorized. There are limited academic reasons for which ISS could authorize a reduced course load. Students must be authorized by ISS before dropping below the full course load.

Reduced Course Load for Medical Reason 

  • J-1 students must register for and complete a full course of study unless otherwise authorized. If a student has a personal medical reason which prevents a full course of study, s/he may apply for a medical RCL. This requires a letter from a medical professional in addition to the linked document. Students must be authorized by ISS before dropping below the full course load.

SEVIS Release Request (Transfer Out)

Travel Signature Request

  • While a current student, your DS-2019 must be endorsed for travel in order to reenter the U.S. Travel signatures are generally good for one year, but there are exceptions. If you need a signature and are in West Lafayette, check requirements with the links provided, and then submit a travel signature request online through myISS. Requests must be submitted online in advance. Walk-in signatures are only given for students who have been pre-approved through the online request.
F-1 Optional Practical Training

H-1B Cap Gap Extension I-20 Request

  • Students may request an H-1B Cap Gap Extension I-20 after carefully checking eligibility and requirements. Important note: ISS cannot and will not check your SEVIS record for H1-B application updates. Only your employer can provide accurate, official updates regarding your H1-B application.

OPT Reporting/Travel Signature Request While on OPT

  • Students on OPT or STEM OPT Extension must report any changes to personal or employment information within 10 days of any change, as well as periodically validate information. Students on OPT or STEM OPT must validate employment information in order to request a travel signature. 

OPT Request – Post-Completion

OPT Request – Pre-Completion

  • Students wishing to apply for Pre-Completion OPT should discuss this option with an Immigration Counselor, then follow instructions on the ISS website.

OPT STEM Extension Request

Report No Longer on OPT

Respond to an OPT Request For Evidence

  • If you receive a Request For Evidence (RFE) in regards to your OPT or STEM OPT application, ISS can assist with your response.
    • MyISS>F-1 Optional Practical Training>Respond to an OPT Request For Evidence

Upload an OPT-Related Document

  • Submit a photocopy of your receipt notice, job offer letter, approval notice, EAD card, or other OPT-related documents. Do NOT submit OPT application documents here.
    • MyISS>F-1 Optional Practical Training>Upload an OPT-Related Document
General Services and Resources

Campus Safety Status

Purdue campus emergency instructions (purdue.edu)

 

Purdue University campus map

Purdue University campus map (purdue.edu)