Request Documents or Signatures

• Lost
• Damaged
• Needs information update   

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. 

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

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

Include a support letter from your program/academic advisor when submitting your extension request. The support 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 in the department letterhead.

Concurrent Enrollment
F-1 students need permission from International Students and Scholars before attending another school and enrolling in additional units. 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 CSULB ISS/DSO permission letter to attend another school.
• Option 2: I need CSULB ISS to sign my Concurrent Enrollment Form from the visiting campus. Attach form from visiting campus in the attachment field in the request page.

For both Options 1 & 2, provide the following in your 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

Social Security Number (SSN) Support Letter
Visit Social Security Numbers for requirements and instructions before submitting your request for a Social Security Support Letter. 

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.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) I-20
Visit Optional Practical Training for all application requirements and instructions before submitting your OPT 1-20 request. 

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. 

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

• Passport copy of dependent(s)
• Completed Financial Affidavit [PDF]
• Bank Statement(s)

Transfer Out Request
Current F1 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 Transfer Form completed by CSLUB ISS/DSO (Note: Not all schools require form).

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

Reduced Course Load Request
Visit Reduced Course Load for eligibility 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.

STEM OPT I-20 
Visit STEM OPT for application requirements and instructions.

OPT and STEM OPT Employment Update 
F-1 Students completing Post-Completion OPT are required to report the following changes within 10 business days of the change:

• Termination of employment
• Unemployment periods
• Changes to your name
• Changes to your U.S. mailing address and contact information
• Termination of your OPT period
• Change of status or academic level

SEVP Portal
The SEVP Portal is accessible only after OPT is approved. You will receive an email to set up your individual SEVP Portal from do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov.

Use the SEVP Portal to report the following information only:

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

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

Notice: New I-20s are not issued when reporting updates.
 
You can also continue to update your personal information in your CSULB Single Sign-On while on OPT. STEM OPT students must change their preferred email.

End OPT/STEM OPT Employment 
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
Visit STEM OPT and follow instructions under "Maintaining F-1 Status and Reporting Requirements." You will be out of status if you fail to report as required.

STEM OPT Validation is required to be reported within 10 days of the due date. You will have:

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

Attach the completed validation PDF form in the attachment field on the request page.

For additional help understanding your mandatory reporting requirements for students and employers click here for STEM OPT reporting requirements from Study in the States.

STEM OPT Evaluation and Progress
Visit STEM OPT and follow instructions under "Maintaining F-1 Status and Reporting Requirements."  You will be out of status if you fail to report as required.

STEM OPT Evaluation and STUDENT Progress is required to be reported within 10 days of the due date. You will have:

• 1st evaluation after 12 months on student progress from the start of 24-Month STEM OPT. 
• Final Evaluation on student progress after 24 months on the 24-Month STEM OPT extensions AND whenever you terminate employment.

Attach completed STEM OPT Evaluation and Progress (PDF) and I-983 form, page 5 in the attachment field on the request page.

For additional help understanding your mandatory reporting requirements for students and employers click here for STEM OPT reporting requirements from Study in the States.

STEM OPT Change of Employment/Employer
Any I-983 material changes must be made within 10 business days of the change. 

• Changes of employment duties with current company:
  Require a newly updated I-983 Form. Do not submit page 5.
• New employer: 
  Submit a new Form I-983 upon starting a new practical training opportunity or changing employers. The previous employer must complete page 5. 

Attach the completed I-983 in the attachment field on the request page.

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
• Completed Financial Affidavit [PDF]
• 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) in the attachment field on the request page.