International Students & Scholars / Letters & Forms
ISS Forms & Letters
Here are ISS forms and letters for various F‐1 or J‐1 related requests. The processing time for ISS requests vary depending on type of requests.
- Incomplete forms or inaccurate information submitted will delay processing times.
- Business days are Mondays through Fridays, except CSUF holidays. Processing of requests and emails received after business hours begin on next business day. In other words, if you submit your request after 5:00 PM (California Time) on a Friday, then processing time will count and begin on the following Monday (if not a holiday).
Please note that Cal State Fullerton does not have control over government processing times. It is your responsibility to be aware of CSUF registration deadlines. It is in your best interest to plan ahead and submit your requests as early as possible.
If you have technical difficulties submitting any of the ISS forms or letter requests,
please contact the
International Students and Scholars (ISS) office at iss@fullerton.edu.
Note: ISS does not issue letters of invitation. These letters should come directly from the student. For more information, please review our Inviting Family to Visit the United States PDF.
ISS Forms & Letters
| Academic or Enrollment-Related Forms/Letters Standard Processing Times: 7 business days** |
|
|---|---|
| Concurrent Enrollment Request |
Deadline: First Friday of the Semester Use this form if you are currently enrolled in at least 9 units at CSUF and would like enrollment units at another SEVIS-approved school to count toward your full course load for the semester. |
| Enrolling at Another School (Permission Letter) |
Request this ISS letter to obtain permission to enroll at another SEVIS approved school (community college) while enrolled at CSUF. |
| Exit Form |
Submit this form if you are leaving the University and leaving the U.S. for one of the following reasons:
|
| Extension of Form I-20 (Program Extension) |
Deadline: One month before Program End Date on Form I-20 Submit this form if you are unable to complete your program of study by the program end date listed on your Form I-20. When submitting this form, you must upload proof of financial capability. |
| Reduced Course Load: Academic Difficulties |
Use this form if you are in your first semester of study at CSUF (per educational level) and you would like permission to drop below full-time course load due to academic difficulties (as listed on this Reduced Course Load form). Submit a completed form to iss@fullerton.edu. |
| Reduced Course Load: Final Semester/Term |
Deadline: First Friday of the Semester Use this form if you are requesting a reduced course load because (1) it is your final semester or term of enrollment; (2) you will be completing all graduation requirements in this term. |
| Reduced Course Load: Graduate or Teaching Assistant |
Deadline: First Friday of the Semester Use this form if you are requesting a reduced course load because you are a graduate assistant/teaching associate. |
| Reduced Course Load: Medical Reason(s) |
Use this form if you are requesting a reduced course load due to medical reasons. It is recommended that you meet with an ISS Advisor before submitting this form. |
| Transfer-Out to Another School Request |
After you have been admitted to another school, submit this form and upload your acceptance letter. |
| Employment-Related Forms/Letters Standard Processing Times: 10 business days** |
|
|---|---|
| Academic Training Request | For J-1 Students only: Use this form to request off-campus academic training permission. Please meet with an ISS Advisor to discuss your situation and if eligible, obtain this request form. |
| Cap-Gap Extension Request | Use this form if you are requesting a Cap-Gap Extension to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 status and the start of H-1B status. Refer to the following webpage for further information. |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request | Please refer to ISS CPT info before submitting this CPT request for an academic internship. |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request | F-1 Students must view and understand the ISS’ OPT information and online video before submitting OPT Request Form. |
| OPT Employer Update Form | All F-1 students on approved Pre- and Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) are required to use this form to report their OPT employment to CSUF ISS. |
| SEVP Portal Access Request |
Use this form to request access to your SEVP Portal account if:
Note: If you already have an account and forgot your password, go to the SEVP login page to request a password reset. |
| Social Security Number (SSN) Support Letter | Complete this form to request an ISS support letter which is needed when applying for a SSN. Please refer to ISS info on applying for SSN. |
| STEM OPT Employer Update Form | To maintain F-1 status while on approved STEM OPT Extension, use this update form for required STEM OPT reporting (validation, evaluation, changes, etc.) |
| STEM OPT Extension Request | F-1 Students on approved Post-Completion OPT must review ISS’ STEM OPT Extension information and online video before submitting this request. |
| Other F-1/J-1 Forms & Letters Standard Processing Times: 10 business days** |
|
|---|---|
|
Letter: Estimated Educational Expenses for Future Semester(s) |
Complete this form to request an ISS letter stating estimated educational expenses for future semester(s). |
| Travel Signature Request | F-1 and J-1 students must obtain a signature on their I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) before travelling outside of the United States. Please submit this form to request a travel signature. |
| Transfer-Out Request | After you have been admitted to another school, submit this form and upload your acceptance letter to request a transfer of your SEVIS record to the new school. |
| Reprint of Form I-20 or DS-2019 | Please complete and submit this form to request a reprint of your I-20 or DS-2019. |
| F-2 Dependent I-20 Request | Use this form if you are requesting a Form I-20 for your dependent (legal spouse or child under age of 21) to apply for an F-2 visa. Submit one request for each dependent. |
**During peak periods (first two weeks of semester, for example), please expect delays as ISS processing times may increase.
Invitation Letters & Other Non-ISS Forms
Below are some non-ISS documents which international students frequently request. Please see instructions below.
| Letter or Non-ISS Forms | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Invitation letter |
Inviting Family/Relative to Visit Student Invitation letters come directly from CSUF students, not ISS. Please see ISS Invitation handout for guidelines and suggested template. |
| Online Course Audit | Please request this from CSUF Office of the Registrar. |
| Verification of Enrollment | Please request this from CSUF Office of the Registrar. |
