International Graduate Student Services
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for International Students

I'm a new student, when can I get my I-20 or DS-2019 form?

If you are a new student, your I-20/DS-2019 will be issued and mailed to you after the Graduate School approves your acceptance and your file is complete, including official TOEFL scores and verification of sufficient funds.

How much money do I have to have before I can get an I-20 or DS-2019 form?

You have to have enough funds to cover your tuition and fees, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses for at least the first year of your studies. See financial requirements for details.

I lost my I-20 form. What should I do?

You need to request a new form from the international office in the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown. Processing time is approximately 2-3 days.

I lost my passport and I-94 card. Can you replace it?

We cannot replace your passport or I-94. You will need to contact the embassy of your country in Washington, D.C. to report the loss and request a new passport. To replace your I-94 card, you will have to file form I-102 and send it to USCIS along with the appropriate filing fee.

If I change majors, do I need a new I-20 or DS-2019?

Yes, you do. Your form always has to reflect the program in which you are currently enrolled. This means, that you have to get a new form if you change your major or academic level.

If I change from a master's to a PhD program, or from a PhD to a master's, do I need a new I-20 or DS-2019 form?

International students who currently are enrolled and who are applying to change from a master's to a PhD program, or a PhD to a master's, or who are changing majors, must fill out Change of Degree Status or Change of Graduate Program paperwork with the academic department, and have approval from the Graduate School. The forms can be found here.

Approval of this type of academic change requires immigration paperwork to be filed with International Graduate Student Services for a new I-20 or DS-2019 form. Students MUST enroll for the term requested for the change of enrollment. For example, if a master's student in ISE requests to change to a PhD program in ISE, and is approved, that enrollment normally is approved by the Graduate School for the "next available term." If that next term is a summer session, international students must enroll for at least 3 credit hours for that summer session. The immigration regulations state that students with "initial" immigration forms have to enroll as of the program start date on the I-20 or DS-2019 form. Since academic departments normally do not provide summer assistantships that pay for tuition and fees, students will have to pay for the 3 credit hours out-of-pocket.

Can I work on campus?

Yes, you can, if you are a J-1 or F-1 student. On campus employment is a benefit of your status, but you cannot work more than 20 hours when school is in session. You may work up to 40 hours during the summer and winter breaks. J-1 students whose program sponsor is an organization other than Virginia Tech (such as Fulbright, IIE, LASPAU, AMIDEAST, ISEP, etc) must secure permission from the program sponsor before accepting employment.

I lived in Virginia for over two years. Can I pay in-state tuition?

No, you can't. As long as you are in a "non-resident alien" status (F-1, J-1, F-2, J-2, etc), by definition you cannot be a resident of Virginia, thus you don't qualify for in-state tuition.

You have to make the $4,000 during the academic year (fall and spring) on assistantship to qualify for the out-of-state fee waiver.

No. Your out-of-state fee can be waived only during the same academic year when you earn the $4,000 on assistantship.

I want to bring my wife or children to stay with me in the U.S. What should I do?

Please contact International Graduate Student Services -- you will receive some initial information about your rights and responsibilities when bringing dependents to the U.S. You will complete a request form for dependents, which will be endorsed by a DSO. You will have to submit this form in our offices at the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown, along with proof that you will be able to support your dependents financially. The university requires proof of an additional $4,000 for a spouse, and $1,500 for each dependent child.

Can my parents be included in my I-20 or DS-2019 form?

No. Only spouses and dependent children can be added to your form

Can my wife/husband work?

Spouses in F-2 status cannot work under any circumstances. Spouses in J-2 status may work with USCIS permission.

What are immigration requirements for enrollment if I am near the end of my degree program?

International graduate students are required to maintain full time hours with few exceptions. You may drop below full-time enrollment in your final semester if you need less than full time hours to complete your Plan of Study, and you are NOT on assistantship. In this case, you must complete a Request for Reduced Enrollment Form, have your advisor sign it stating that you will finish degree requirements by the end of the semester, and submit it to IGSS BEFORE the beginning of your final semester. If approved, you will be allowed to enroll for either Defending Student Status (DSS), or 3 credit hours, or the number of hours required to complete your Plan of Study (if more than 3 hours).

Generally it takes 6-8 weeks. However, in the peak periods in December and May it may take as long as 12 weeks to receive authorization. We advise students to apply for the OPT 2-3 months in advance.

You must apply for OPT before your academic program ends or your I-20 expires, whichever comes first. However, your practical training may begin any time within the 60-day grace period following your program completion.

Are there any requirements for Defending Student Status that are different for international students and domestic students?

International students may defend any time during the semester using DSS only IF their principal activity is other than being an F-1/J-1 student enrolled full-time in pursuit of a degree.  Examples would be students already on OPT or Academic Training or in H-1 status returning to the university solely to defend, or students returning from their home country for a defense (using B-1 or B-2 or visa waiver program). Since domestic students do not have to adhere to immigration requirements, the same restriction does not apply to them.

International students who defend within the first 15 days of the semester may use DSS to fulfill immigration requirements IF you begin your OPT before the beginning of the semester, or change to a different visa status within 60 days of your defense and submission of ETD, or leave the U.S. within 60 days of defense and ETD submission.

Scheduling of the final examination and defense means that you have completed all work on the thesis/dissertation and the only thing left is the taking of the final examination and defense.

International students who have some work remaining on their thesis or dissertation and who plan to defend any time during the semester are required to enroll for 3 credit hours. The 3-hour enrollment documents your need to be physically present on campus for the semester, utilizing university resources and pursuing degree requirements (which are required for continued eligibility for F-1/J-1 status).

You have to renew it only if and when you travel outside the United States. See visa and travel information for further details.

No. Visas can be obtained and renewed only outside the U.S.

I have a valid visa in my old passport, but I have a new passport. Can I still use my visa?

Yes, you can use your valid visa in your old passport. When you travel, you will have to carry both your new passport, and the old one with the visa in it. If you have to return your old passport when you get a new one, you will lose your visa, and have to apply for a new one before you return to the U.S.