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Keep your I-20 valid

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Check your I-20

The I-20 is an important document for students with an F-1 visa. It shows you can study in the United States.

  • Carefully read the Instructions to Student section on page 3 of your I-20. It explains what you can and cannot do while you have an F-1 visa.
  • Understand that you cannot work off campus unless you have received an updated I-20 from ISSS that clearly states your employment authorization.

When to request a new I-20

It is your responsibility to make sure your I-20 is always up to date and all information is current.

Request a new I-20 from ISSS if any of the following changes: 

  • Your degree level – New Degree Level request.
  • Your major – Program Information Update request.
  • Extending your I-20 end date – Program Extension request.

Get a travel signature 

If you plan to travel outside the U.S., you must make sure that ISSS has signed your I-20 for travel.

To get a travel signature:

  • Complete the Reprint I-20 request in the ISSS portal. Your I-20 will be signed within three business days.

A travel signature lets you re-enter the U.S. For enrolled students, travel signatures are valid for 12 months. For students on OPT or STEM OPT, travel signatures are valid for 6 months.

Keep your passport valid

Your passport must always be valid. Keep an unexpired passport valid for at least 6 months into the future. Failure to keep a valid passport is a violation of your immigration status.

To renew your passport in the U.S., contact your country's embassy or consulate for procedures. An embassy or consulate is an office that helps people from your home country.

Check your CMU email every day

CMU will send you important emails. Some will contain important information about your immigration status. It is essential that you check your CMU email every day so that you do not miss important updates or reminders about your student status.

If you choose to forward your CMU email to another account, please ensure that emails from ISSS are not sent to your spam, junk or clutter folders. 

If you cannot access your email, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@cmich.edu or call 989-774-3662 for assistance.

Keep your contact information current

If your housing situation changes or you change your phone number, tell ISSS within 10 days of the change. ISSS will update your Department of Homeland Security SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record.

Step 1: Update with ISSS 

Use your real, current U.S. address that represents where you are currently living. We use this address to report to the government, so it is vital that this information is accurate.

  1. Log in to the ISSS Portal.
  2. Click on Requests > Contact Information Update.
  3. Follow the instructions from there.

Questions about the form should be directed to isss@cmich.edu.

Step 2: Update with the University

You should also update your address in CMU's student information system.

  1. Visit the university's address change form (or access the form through CentralLink under My Account > Address Change.
  2. Follow the instructions from there.

Questions about the university's address form should be directed to the Registrar's Office.

Transferring to another U.S. college or university

If you want to transfer to another educational institution in the U.S., you must fill out the Transfer Out request in the ISSS portal to notify the Office of International Student Services and start the process.