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International Student Services Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs

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International Student Services
Brownsville Campus: BMAIN Bldg. 1.308
Edinburg Campus EMASS Bldg. 1.102
Email: international@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-7092 or (956) 665-2922
Fax: (956) 665-2281
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Department Forms

ISS uses Submittable to streamline your request in a single online platform. If it is your first to use the Submittable, you will need to create your account using your UTRGV credential.


Address Change

As an F-1 student, you must regularly report any changes to ISS to ensure that your information is correct on SEVIS. Federal regulations require that you report any changes in address within ten days of the change to your DSO/ International Student Services. ISS will then update your address in SEVIS.

Reduced Course Load

To maintain F-1 status, international students must be enrolled in a full course of study each fall and spring semester (summer enrollment is optional if it is not your first semester). 

Undergraduate full-time enrollment is 12 credits hours and Graduate full-time is 9 credits hours. Parttime undergraduate borders commuters must be enrolled for at least 6 hours and part-time graduate border commuters for at least 3 hrs. 

There are only certain reasons which U.S. Immigration will accept for enrolling less than full-time. The acceptable reasons are listed below. For any semester in which you are enrolled less than full-time, please complete the following form, and have your academic advisor submit the recommendation if the advisor feels that you have a valid Immigration reason. 

Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is off campus work authorization for employment (whether it is paid or unpaid), such as internship or co-op, for F-1 international students to receive further training.

Change Immigration Status to F-1

The change of status to F-1 is the process offered by the United States Government to those already in the United States that wish to change their nonimmigrant status to continue with their studies under F-1 status.

F-1 Student Departure

The purpose of this form is to allow the ISS to update or end your F-1 SEVIS record with immigration because you are leaving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or changing status.

I-20 Extension

Students who are not able to complete their degree requirements before the program end date listed on their I-20 must request an extension.

I-20 Travel Endorsement

A travel endorsement is what makes F-1 student is eligible for re-entry into the United States indicated by your International Student Advisor's original signature on the second page of your most recently issued I-20.

New I-20 Request

If you are in any situation below, you will need a new I-20. Lost, destroy, part-time border commuter, major change, the addition of F2 dependent, remove border commuter status, Significant change to financial support such as an addition or loss of a GRA or GTA, etc.

Online Compliance

This form is to be used by F-1/J-1 international students who cannot meet the full-time academic enrollment by not complying with the allowed immigration regulation online requirement.

Post-Completion OPT

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment authorization that allows an F-1 student to work in a position directly related to their field of study AFTER completion of studies (graduation).

SEVIS Transfer Out

F-1 students with an I-20 form issued by UTRGV who intend to transfer out to another educational institution must submit this form before enrolling at the new school for their SEVIS I-20 record to be transferred.

STEM OPT

If you have earned a degree in certain science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization.

For other requests, please use the current paper forms below.


EAD Card

A Form I-765 employment authorization document (EAD card), known popularly as a work permit, is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides temporary employment authorization to noncitizens in the United States

Lost or stolen immigration documents

If your immigration documents are lost or stolen, please read the handout for further instructions.

Obtain a Driver’s License

To drive a car in Texas, you must have a valid Texas driver’s license. Issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the driver’s license or state I.D. card serves as the primary identification document.

On-site Component Report

This form allows students taking an online course to count the course as an on-campus course to comply with their full-time enrollment requirement.

On-campus Employment

F-1 students are eligible to work on-campus during their academic program if they are maintaining their F-1 status. Click the tab to learn more information.

Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-completion OPT is OPT for which you are authorized before you complete your program of study. Remember, OPT is employment that is directly related to your major field of study and is only for students in F-1 status.

Reinstatement or Travel

F-1 visa students must comply with immigration regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations will lead to the loss of legal status in the United States and, consequently, the loss of the F-1/J-1 benefits of visa status, such as on-campus employment and travel signatures for re-entry to the United States and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Social Security Number Application

In order to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), you generally must have a job or a job offer. You must wait until you have been in the U.S. for at least ten days before applying.

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