Like all students studying at UT Austin, you are permitted to Q-drop a class or multiple classes if you follow University Procedures and get the necessary signatures on the Q-drop form. The deadline to Q-drop a class for the fall 2016 semester is November 1 for undergraduate students & December 5 for graduate… read more
Summer Travel and Safety
With the semester coming to a close, we here at the International Office know that many of you may be traveling out of the country to go home or go on vacation. If you are an F-1 student traveling this summer, please bring your new format (issued after June 26, 2015)… read more
STEM OPT changes effective May 10, 2016
Changes to the STEM OPT extension went into effect on May 10, 2016. Previously a 17 month extension, the STEM extension is now 24 months. To review the changes to STEM eligibility, additional reporting requirements, and how to apply, please visit our STEM OPT changes page. Additionally, our office held… read more
2nd Round Summer 2016 General ISSS Financial Aid Award
Applications for Summer 2016 General ISSS Financial Aid have reopened! This financial need-based award (worth up to $1,500) is applied directly onto a student’s summer 2016 tuition bill. Please note that the award amount cannot exceed the tuition bill balance. Students who have experienced a recent change in their financial status or who are not… read more
Cap-Gap Extension
A Cap-Gap extension is an extension of F-1 visa status and/or Post-Completion OPT work authorization. This occurs when someone with an F-1 visa has an employment start date of October 1st and is a beneficiary of a timely filed H-1B petition requesting a change of status. In order for ISSS to provide… read more
Employment Seminar for International Students & Scholars
International Student & Scholar Services invites you to an Employment Seminar! Date: Tuesday March 8, 2016 Time: 6:00 – 8:30 pm Location: Peter O’Donnell Jr. Building (POB) (Room 2.302 for F-1 Students / Room 2.402 for J-1 Students & Scholars) The seminar will focus on employment options that are available… read more
New! H-1B Seminar for International Students
If you are planning to graduate within the next year or two, now is the time to start thinking of the next steps for immigration and employment options. While there are several immigration categories that graduates move on to, the most common visa type is the H-1B. ISSS invites you… read more
Post-Completion – Optional Practical Training (OPT) for Spring 2016 graduates
Are you an F-1 student who will graduate May 2016? Are you wanting to work in the U.S. after graduation? If you answered yes, then you want to apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a work authorization for F-1 students that allow you to work in your… read more
Operation I-20 Reprint
Last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) updated the look of the I-20 form. You can see what the new form looks like on the DHS Redesigned Form I-20 Fact Sheet. All F-1 students must have the new version of the I-20 no later than July 1, 2016.… read more
Issues with Obtaining or Renewing a Driver’s License
International applicants for a Texas driver’s license or Texas ID must be processed through the government’s SAVE database at the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The SAVE database confirms F-1 and J-1 visitors’ valid status and benefits eligibility with the SEVIS database so that DPS can grant a driver’s license.… read more