Request Documents or Signatures

Travel Authorization Signature

If you are traveling out of the U.S., you must have a valid signature on your I-20 from an International Student Advisor to return.

• The I-20 travel signature is valid for one year. 
• No signature is required on the I-20 to depart the U.S. or to travel within the U.S. 

Reduced Course Load (RCL)
Visit Reduced Course Load for requirements and instructions before submitting a request to be enrolled less than full-time.

Please meet with an International Student Advisor if you are experiencing academic or medical difficulties that may impact your full-time course load.

F-1 Student Letters
The following letters can be issued for students upon request:

• Letter of F1 Verification
• Military Deferment
• Letter for DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)

Please note:
For academic letters, contact your academic college advisor or advising center. 

For tuition verification, contact Student Financial Services. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) I-20 
Visit Curricular Practical Training to ensure your eligibility and to gather the correct documentation before submitting the CPT 1-20 Request.

Paid internships require a Social Security Number (SSN).
If you need a SSN, please also request a SSN Letter.

I-20 Extension
Request an I-20 extension at least 30 days before the program end date listed on your current I-20.

Upload a support letter from your program/academic advisor. This letter must include:

• Student's name and ID#
• Academic work already completed (in units).
• Academic work pending completion.
• New proposed graduation term.
• Letter, signed and completed on department letterhead.

Reprint an I-20
Request an I-20 reprint if your document is:

• Lost
• Damaged
• Needs information update   

Concurrent Enrollment
Before attending another school and enrolling in additional units, F-1 students need permission from International Students and Scholars. Students must be enrolled full-time at CSULB and be in F1 status at the time of this request.

There are two options--only select one:

• Option 1:  I need a permission letter from CSULB ISS/DSO to attend another school.
• Option 2:  I need CSULB ISS/DSO to sign my Concurrent Enrollment Form from the visiting campus.
                    Attach the form from visiting campus in the attachment field on the request page.

Provide the following information on the request: 

• Name of school
• Course Name
• Number of Units
• Mode of Instruction (i.e., hybrid, online, in-person)
• Dates of Enrollment
• Brief explanation of why you need to take the course at another school

Transfer Out
Current F1 CSULB students who plan to transfer their SEVIS I-20 record to a new school should submit a request.

Information and Supporting Documentation:

• Transfer-in school information: School Name and SEVIS school code.
• Admissions Letter
• If applicable, a CSULB ISS/DSO will complete a transfer form (*Not all schools require a form).

Attach supporting documents (Admissions letter and/or transfer form) in the attachment field in the request page.

Dependent I-20 (spouse and/or children) 
Submit these supporting documents with your request:

• Passport copy of dependent(s)
• Completed Financial Affidavit Form
• Bank Statement(s)

Sponsored Students 
(SACM, OMAN & Qatar only) 

• Approval for Online Course
• Scholarship Extension
• Scholarship Verification Confirmation Letter

Post-Completion OPT Employment Update 
Continue to update your contact information in your CSULB Single Sign-On while on OPT.

In addition, review OPT mandatory reporting requirements, then access the SEVP Portal to report any changes to:

• Employment information
• Physical home address
• Mailing address
• Telephone numbers

The SEVP Portal is accessible on day one of your approved OPT period. You will receive an email from do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov to set up your SEVP Portal.

Contact cie-student@csulb.edu if you cannot update your information in the SEVP Portal.

Change Preferred Email in the SEVP portal during Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT
It is recommended that you add a preferred email address to your SEVP Portal to ensure continued access to your information while completing Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT. 

Only the international student advisor can update your preferred email address connected to the SEVP Portal. 

End Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT
Report the end of OPT/ STEM OPT employment within 10 business days of the change:

• Completing OPT/STEM OPT and exiting the U.S. 
• Transferring to a new school. Please also complete the transfer out request.
• Returning to CSULB for a new degree; email i20@csulb.edu to inform us about your new program at CSULB and to request your new I-20.
• No longer in F1 status. Attach proof of status change, such as an I-797 Approval Notice, in the attachment field on the request page.

Reset SEVP Portal
If you have been locked out from your SEVP portal account, use this service request to receive assistance to reset your SEVP portal login.

For help with the SEVP Portal, visit SEVP PORTAL HELP. 

STEM OPT: Validation Report
Review the Mandatory Reporting Requirements for STEM OPT, review the accuracy of your contact and employment information contained in the SEVP portal, then report the Validation Report to the ISS Office/DSO.

The Validation Report is due every six months, within10 days from the due date. 

• 6-month Validation Report
• 18-month Validation Report 

Attach the completed STEM OPT Employment and address update Form (PDF) to ticket request.

STEM OPT: Evaluation of Student Progress
Review the Mandatory Reporting Requirements for STEM OPT, then report the annual evaluation to the ISS Office/DSO within 10 days from the due date. 

• 12-month evaluation on student progress and 12-month validation reports are due after the first year on the 24-Month STEM OPT extension.
• Final Evaluation on student progress due on the 24-Month of the STEM OPT extensions AND whenever you terminate employment with a company.

Attach the completed STEM OPT Employment and address update Form (PDF) and the corresponding I-983 form, page 5 to the ticket request.

STEM OPT: Change of Employment Status
Report any of the events listed below within 10 business days of the change. 

• Changes of employment duties or conditions of employment also known as material changes to the I-983 with your current company, require a newly updated I-983 Form, pages 1-4. 
• New employer: 
  Submit a new Form I-983 pages 1-4 upon starting a new practical training opportunity or changing employers. The previous employer must complete page 5, final evaluation of student progress. 
• End of employment: Submit Form I-983, including the final evaluation of student progress page 5.

Attach the completed STEM OPT Employment and address update Form (PDF) and the corresponding I-983 form to the ticket request.

Cap Gap Extension

Request a Cap Gap Extension I-20 if you have filed a timely H1B application.

Submit a completed Cap Gap Extension (PDF) and the corresponding supporting documents.

I-20 Reprint 
Request a reprint of your current I-20 which was:

• Lost
• Damaged
• Updated with new information   

Travel Authorization
Traveling outside the U.S. to another country requires that you show a valid travel signature on your I-20 to return to the U.S.

• Travel signatures are valid for 6 months.
• You do not need a signature to depart the U.S. or if you travel within the U.S. 
• The signature is only required when re-entering the U.S. 

Special F-1 Letters 

• Letter of Verification 
• Military Deferment
• Letter for DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)

Academic Letters:
Contact your academic college program advisor or academic advising center for assistance.

Dependent I-20 (spouse and/or children)
Supporting documents:

• Passport copy of dependent/s
• Complete Financial Affidavit Form
• Bank Statement(s)

Transfer Out Request
Current F1 OPT/STEM OPT students who plan to transfer their SEVIS I-20 to a new school should submit a request.

Information and Supporting Documentation:

• Transfer-in school information: School Name and SEVIS school code.
• Admissions Letter
• If applicable, a Transfer Form completed by CSLUB ISS/DSO (Note: Not all schools require form).

Attach supporting documents (Admissions letter and/or transfer form) to the ticket request.