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Frequently Asked Questions

International Student FAQs

Updated 11/05/2025

How will I receive my form I-20?

I-20s will be distributed electronically and signed with an electronic signature. Students who prefer to have the original document mailed, please notify ISSS for additional instructions. 

Make sure to print the I-20 in color, sign, and date with blue ink. A printout of the I-20 will be required to enter the United States. 

Do you still need assistance?  

Please visit our website to schedule an appointment with International Services https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html  

I am currently outside of the United States and do not intend on returning for the fall/spring semester. I will take all of my classes online during the fall/spring semester. What are my options?

Submit a Leave of Absence request in the International Student Portal. ISSS will terminate the SEVIS record using the Authorized Early Withdrawal option. Student will be permitted to take all classes online from outside of the United States, but will require a new I-20 if interested in returning to complete degree requirements in-person.   

A new SEVIS record and I-20 will be required to return to the United States to resume in-person classes. Contact ISSS for assistance with the return to campus.  

 

I am a continuing student and will be traveling back to the United States. How can I receive an updated I-20 with a travel signature?

Before requesting your I-20 with travel signature, check the second page of your current I-20 to determine if a new signature is needed. If the signature is more than 12 months old, then please continue with the travel signature request process. I-20s with a signature less than 12 months old do not need an updated signature to re-enter the United States. 

Request your I-20 through our International Student Request Portal. 

I-20s will be distributed electronically and signed with an electronic signature. Students who prefer to have the original document mailed, please notify ISSS for additional instructions. 

Make sure to print the I-20 in color, sign, and date with blue ink. A printout of the I-20 will be required to enter the United States. 

 

I plan to graduate this semester, but I am currently outside of the United States. Will I be able to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) from my home country?

As an F1 visa student, you must be physically present inside the United States to submit an OPT application to USCIS. We recommend that any student outside of the country interested in applying for OPT return to the United States prior to the end of the graduating semester. Returning to the United States after the end of the semester/I-20 program end date will not be possible.   

Still need assistance? 

Please schedule an appointment with an advisor at Appointments 

I am graduating this semester and I need to apply for OPT.

Questions regarding OPT will require an appointment with an International Student Advisor. Schedule appointment here.  

OPT Workshop Presentation 

Below are the steps in the OPT application process. 

1) Submit the OPT request in the International Student Portal  

  • Upload passport 
  • Upload I-94  
  • Upload 2x2 passport style photo 
  • Upload CPT/OPT I-20s if applicable 
  • Upload EAD if applicable 


2) Create your USCIS account (steps 1 and 2 can be done concurrently) 

  • Complete the I-765 
  • Upload passport 
  • Upload I-94  
  • Upload 2x2 passport style photo 
  • Upload CPT/OPT I-20s if applicable 
  • Upload EAD if applicable 
  • DO NOT SUBMIT, logout to Save as a Draft 

3) Pay the OPT request fee in Rowdy Pay ($150) 

4) Schedule an appointment with an ISSS Advisor to review OPT application 

  • Review OP Application 
  • Pay and Submot OPT petition ($470) 

 

I need to apply for my social security number.

All F-1 and J-1/J-2 students and scholars must apply for a Social Security card once they have found employment. 

Social Security office no longer provides a printout sheet with the Social Security number (SSN) at the time of an appointment due to security concerns. International visitors applying for an SSN for the first time will need to wait until the card arrives by mail in order to receive the SSN numbers. Typically, cards arrive within two weeks.  

Documentation required to apply for a Social Security Card  

  • Passport  
  • I-94 card, either paper or electronic  
  • Form I-20 for F-1 visa holders or Form DS-2019 for J-1/J-2 visa holders 
  • Letter from ISSS (ONLY if you will be working for a UTSA department/unit)  

Payroll cannot issue an SSN; however, a placeholder number can be used in place of SSN on the eForm. This will allow new hires to be processed prior to receiving their actual SSN.  Placeholder ID numbers will be provided to the processing department but will not be shared with the new hire or others outside of the area submitting the new hire eForm.       

The Placeholder ID will only be issued to the hiring manager/department admin/ BSC personnel creating the eForms for the new hire once the new hire has provided a letter like receipt from the Social Security Administration (SSA) office verifying that the new hire has submitted the paperwork for their new SS Card.  

Kindly send your request with the copy of the receipt/letter from SSA through payroll@utsa.edu. 

Applying for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) 

F-1 students are permitted to enroll below full time only in certain specific circumstances which include: 

  • Student is in the final semester of the course of study and does not need to enroll full time to meet degree requirements. 
  • Student has completed all required coursework and is working on a thesis/dissertation and is considered to be making normal progress toward the completion of the degree. 
  • Student is experiencing initial difficulties with English language or reading requirements or American teaching methods. 
  • Student is placed by an Academic Advisor into a course at an improper course level. 
  • Student has an illness or medical condition documented by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist. 

Submit your RCL request in our International Student Request portal: https://international.utsa.edu    

**Upload documents indicated within request form for specific RCL reason** 

Make sure to enroll in your classes prior to submitting an RCL request. Final semester cannot be fully online, student must be enrolled in at least 1 in-person/hybrid course. 

How do I update my contact information (address, email, or phone number)? 

Submit your change of address in our International Student Request portal as a contact information update: international.utsa.edu 

Also, make sure to update address in your myUTSA Account 

I have an internship offer and need to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an authorization for off-campus employment related to your field of study. To be eligible for CPT, your employment must be an integral part of your established curriculum and directly related to your major. Typically, CPT is available for internships, cooperative education programs, or other types of required practical training. Consult with ISSS or the international portal to determine your eligibility and application process for CPT. 

Submit your CPT request in our International Student Request portal: international.utsa.edu 

For general CPT information, please use the below link for an overview of the process: https://global.utsa.edu/students/F1-employment-opportunities.html#CPT  

I have a HOLD from ISSS. What should I do to remove the HOLD from my record? 

ISSS can only remove the following holds, “Passport/Orientation”, “Immigration Document Review”, “Immigration Check-In” and “CPT transcript”. We are unable to remove HOLDS placed by other UTSA departments/offices.  

To remove the “Passport/Orientation”, “Immigration Document Review”, or “Immigration Check-In” HOLD student must submit/complete the Immigration Check-In requirement through the Student Request Portal – international.utsa.edu. 

To remove the “CPT Transcript” HOLD, student must submit a copy of their most recent unofficial/official transcript through the Student Request Portal – international.utsa.edu. 

Meningitis & Tuberculosis (TB) holds are NOT WITH US, please look under Immunization & Health - UTSA Admissions

Questions regarding scholarships

All scholarships are listed on the UTSA Scholarship Hub, all students including International Students are advised to review and apply for scholarship opportunities on the UTSA Scholarship Hub. Students are encouraged to review the UTSA Scholarship Hub at least once a week because scholarships are listed all year round by different colleges and departments. 

We do have Distinguished Scholarships that are auto applied if the student meets the requirements at the time of admission, these scholarships are merit based and non-resident and international students are granted a waiver for non-resident tuition if selected and the scholarship eligibility is maintained. 

The UTSA Border County Program is a student tuition-assistance program that allows eligible F-1/J-1 visa students from Mexico with limited financial resources to pay Texas in-state tuition. This is a need-based program and not a competitive scholarship.

The Good Neighbor Program is a program managed and administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Students are encouraged to apply if they are from the eligible countries of the Western (American) Hemisphere. Students apply with UTSA, then we turn the data over to (THECB). 

All questions regarding scholarships will be addressed by One Stop Enrollment/Scholarships. https://onestop.utsa.edu/scholarships/  


Questions regarding International Student Health Insurance

Spring/Summer 2025 Waiver Deadline: February 6, 2025 

Apply for Waiver: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/waiver  

Insurance Information: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/  

Contact: Insurance.advisor@utsa.edu  

Coverage Dates for Fall: 

Continuing Students – September 1 through December 31 

New Fall Students – August 1 through December 31 

Cost for Fall: 

Continuing Students – $1,146 

New Students – $1,146 + $291 (month of August) = $1,437 

Coverage Dates for Spring/Summer: 

New and Continuing Students – January 1 through August 31 

Cost for Spring/Summer: 

New and Continuing Students - $2,292 

Health Insurance automatically billed at the time of class enrollment (please allow one week for UTSA to enroll student in the insurance plan after confirming course registration. 

Reporting OPT Employment

All employment updates (new and ending) must be reported within 10 days. Use the International Student Request Portal to submit updates: international.utsa.edu

 

Does UTSA offer conditional admission?           

No, but if you did not meet the English Proficiency requirements, admission to UTSA is still possible by applying to the following programs: 

International Pathway 

UTSA's International Pathway is designed for international students who want to improve their English language skills while earning college credit toward a UTSA undergraduate or graduate degree. As part of the pathway program, international students who want to study in the U.S. will be better prepared to achieve their educational goals. Students will need to have TOEFL iBT 71 or equivalent to enter the 1-Semester Pathway OR a TOEFL iBT 61 or equivalent to enter the 2-Semester Pathway. 

Intensive English Program 

If you are interested in studying English, please contact the Academic English Program for admissions information.