As international students, it is always important to make sure to remain in status.
You can request a change to your SEVIS in iStart for the following reasons:
- You are changing your major (requires approval from prospective department)
- You are moving from MS to PhD (requires CEE faculty approval)
- Your I-20 is expiring but you still have coursework or thesis work remaining
- You would like to permission to register for fewer than 12 hours (only available in your first and last semester)
All of these should be requested in iStart. Information on iStart can be found here.
For most of these requests, your Georgia Tech record must be changed. Please see Danielle Ramirez to request these changes from the Registrar’s office.
The Office of International Education is an invaluable resource but they are often hard to reach. However, their website is full of helpful information. They also have frequent drop in advising hours and many helpful information sessions and workshops. Their event calendar has many sessions about OPT and CPT as well as social events and more. https://oie.gatech.edu/
Program Extension:
When you send a Program Extension request to me, please follow up with the following information:
-When does your current I-20 expire?
-When do you anticipate completion of your degree?
-Are you currently supported? If so, I will need confirmation from your advisor that they will continue to support you for the duration of your program. Please have them email me. If you are supporting yourself, please let me know.
-Are you also renewing an I-20 for spouse and/or children?
-In a few sentences, please explain why you are requesting the extension. Please be as detailed as possible.