Important Alerts


Important Message regarding SEVP Portal Issues

July 10th, 2020

ISS has received numerous reports from students who are unable to access the SEVP Portal due to technical issues. In many of these cases, the only resolution is for ISS to update the employment information in SEVIS on the student’s behalf. As a result, we have updated the OPT Employment Reporting Form so it now includes all fields that ISS will need in order to add or update employment information in SEVIS for a student. Please do not use the previous version of the OPT Employment Reporting Form and instead please use this updated version. The updated version of the form can be found on the ISS website at http://iss.tamu.edu/Current-Students/F-1-Status/Optional-Practical-Training#0-OPTEmploymentReportingForm.
 
If you are able to access the SEVP Portal, it is still in your best interest to update your employment information in the SEVP Portal in addition to using this new form because there will be fewer steps for ISS to take, resulting in faster completion of your request. However, if you are unable to access the SEVP Portal, you do not need to inform ISS. ISS will update the employment information on your behalf once we receive your completed form. Remember that ISS must also receive a copy of the front and back of your EAD Card in order to update your employment information in SEVIS, so be sure to submit this to iss@tamu.edu if you have not done so already. Remember to include your full name and UIN in all correspondence with ISS.
 

Important Message regarding the July 6th, 2020 SEVP Guidance

July 7th, 2020

SEVP sent out a broadcast message on July 6, 2020 (SEVP Broadcast Message: COVID-19 and Fall 2020) announcing modifications to temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. You can find President Young's response at https://www.tamu.edu/coronavirus/july-7-reaction-to-new-federal-guidance-on-international-students.html.

There are many unanswered questions, and ISS is asking that all questions and concerns be directed to a Qualtrics survey.  Qualtrics will allow us to analyze and respond to the feedback in a more efficient manner. The survey can be accessed at https://tamu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZgjsIjpGmaWJG5.

We ask all concerned parties to complete the Qualtrics survey rather than to email ISS or individual staff members. Once we have more answers, we will update this FAQ webpage and send out mass emails to students and staff. Please stay tuned and check your A&M emails regularly.

Update to Average ISS Processing Times

May 11th, 2020

Due to the high volume of applications received, International Student Services is outside the 5 to 10 day processing average.  We are prioritizing applications that have immediate due dates.  We have received over 1,400 records for processing from new, current and former students. 
 

ISS staff are working from home and come to the office to print the completed I-20s or DS-2019s.  This is slowing the processing down, but advisors are working as quickly as possible.  As such, the processing time goal will now be 15 business days.

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