Frequently Asked Questions

Students who wish to attend a different U.S. college/university/institution within 5 months of the last date that they attended Pitt (or participated in OPT/STEM OPT) typically qualify for a "transfer" of their SEVIS record from Pitt to their new school. Please log-in to My OIS and submit the ‘Transfer Out’ request.

You do not need to request J-2 extensions separately. OIS will extend all DS-2019s for the J-1 and any J-2s listed in the SEVIS record, using the J-1 Program Extension request submitted by the department. Please be aware that if you are receiving an extension, we will need to see that your finances for the extension are sufficient for you and all J-2 dependents.

Program extension requests must be initiated by the host department in My OIS, so you should start with your department to ask if an extension will be possible. If the department is willing to support a program extension, your administrator will submit a J-1 Program Extension request in My OIS . Once your department and you have submitted the required e-forms, OIS will review the request and issue a new DS-2019 with the extended program end date within 5-7 business days.

If you are not going to be able to finish your program by the end date on your I-20/DS-2019, you must apply for an extension of stay in order to remain in lawful status. Extensions may only be authorized if the reason for the delay is academic in nature and satisfies the requirements for an extension as set forth in the U.S. immigration regulations. To request an extended I-20/DS-2019, please log in to My OIS and submit a ‘Program Extension’ request. To allow adequate processing time, OIS recommends submitting your request at least 30 days prior to your program end date.

Congratulations! We are excited that you have completed your program and will be continuing as a Pitt student. Please login to My OIS and submit a ‘Change of Level’ e-form, located in the Admission to Orientation menu.

Please log into My OIS and submit a ‘Notification of New Non-Pitt Status’ e-form. This is located in the ‘Biographical Information’ menu.

If you are considering dropping below full-time enrollment, you must receive authorization from OIS in advance. You can submit your RCL Request in My OIS. Failure to receive OIS approval BEFORE dropping below full-time may jeopardize your legal status in the U.S. If you have any questions, please contact your Immigration Specialist .

Students in F-1 or J-1 status must maintain full time enrollment during the fall and spring terms. Full-time for undergraduates is 12 credits/term and full-time for graduate students is 9 credits/term. If you can drop the class and still be enrolled full time, please talk to your academic advisor. If dropping the class will cause you to have fewer than full-time credits, your immigration status will be in jeopardy. Please contact your Immigration Specialist to discuss your options.

International students do not need to be enrolled in the summer term, UNLESS it is their first or last term of enrollment. Contact your Immigration Specialist if you will graduate in the summer term. Students who wish to be enrolled in the summer term may do so.

International students are required by law to maintain full-time enrollment during fall and spring terms.

• Full-time for undergraduates is 12 credits/term
• Full-time for graduate students is 9 credits/term

Contact the Human Resources department at your company to find out the EIN number.

Your employer may determine who should sign the Form I-983. Usually this is someone who has adequate knowledge about your employment and training. You may want to check with your company to find out if they will allow your supervisor to complete the form, or if someone in their Human Resources department must complete the form.

Yes, you can continue to work on campus while participating in CPT. The federal government does not have any specific regulations that limit the cumulative hours of CPT and on-campus employment.

There is a difference between “volunteering” and “unpaid” internships. Individuals can volunteer their time (without compensation) for religious, charitable, civic, or humanitarian purposes to non-profit organizations. Volunteers don’t require any special, or specific skills. These established volunteer positions with non-profit / community organizations do not require CPT authorization. The vast majority of unpaid internships need CPT authorization because they require specific, advanced skills. In the past, the federal government has defined employment as “any type of work performed for services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit.” If a student were to “volunteer” at a non-profit organization and complete tasks that a staff member would normally do (order supplies, manage purchasing orders, etc.), the student would need CPT authorization. The same is true if a student wanted to “volunteer” at a for-profit business – CPT is required. Please check with your your Immigration Specialist about any volunteer opportunities.

Clinical experiences, mostly found within School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Nursing, and School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, may not require CPT authorization. OIS sees clinical rotations as an extension of the classroom, because there is direct supervision by either Pitt faculty/staff or an elected preceptor. Non-required practical experiences need CPT authorization. Contact your your Immigration Specialist with questions.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as off-campus employment which is an “integral part of an established curriculum, including: alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” Source: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i) Please review our CPT Information handout for more information.

It is NOT recommended that you travel while your H-1B application is pending at USCIS. If you do travel, the application for a change or extension of status will be considered abandoned and you will need to wait for the H-1B petition to be approved, then obtain a new visa prior to re-entering the U.S.
For more information, please review our Travel website.

Although you can legally travel while your OPT application is pending, it is not recommended that you do so. If you do decide to travel, make sure that you have someone checking your mail regularly in case USCIS requests additional information or notifies you of an issue with your application.
For more information about OPT and STEM OPT, please visit the Optional Practical Training webpage.

If you take a brief trip (30 days or less) to Canada, Mexico, or an “adjacent island” (most Caribbean countries) and you are in valid F-1 or J-1 status when you leave the U.S., you do not need to renew your expired visa in order to return to the U.S. This is called Automatic Re-validation. It is not applicable for citizens of countries designated by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terrorism. Check the OIS Travel Information fact sheet for more information.

You should not have to present your immigration documents when travelling within the U.S., as long as you have some other kind of valid identification for airline travel. If you are travelling by air, and you do not have a driver’s license or Pennsylvania state ID, then you will need to carry your passport. If you do not wish to carry your immigration documents for domestic travel, you may choose to have a copy of your documents available.
For more information, please review our Travel website.