Request Processing Times
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Below is a list of ISSS requests and their corresponding ISSS processing times. If additional information or follow up is needed, additional time will be added to the processing time.
In general, since Emory doesn't have control over government processing times, ISSS recommends that immigration-related requests be submitted to ISSS as early as possible. The submission deadlines listed below take the variability of government processing times into consideration.
General Processing Times
- ISSS responds to email and phone inquiries within 1–2 business days.
- The processing time for the Travel Information Update form (used by all students and scholars under Emory's immigration sponsorship), is five business days.
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Requests by Nonimmigrant Status
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Requests by Nonimmigrant Status
| Request Type/Form Name | Submission Deadline | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Change of Program and/or Level Form: Change of Program I-20 Request | Within 10 calendar days of admission to new program | 5 business days |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Authorization Form: CPT Request | 10 business days before start date | 5 business days |
| Employment with an International Organization | 100 calendar days in advance (allow for 90 day processing time by USCIS) | The new I-20 will be made during the appointment with an ISSS advisor. |
| I-20 for F-2 Dependent Form: Add a Dependent | At least 30 calendar days before their visa appointment | 5 business days |
| I-20 for Newly Admitted Student Form: New Student I-20 Request | At least 30 calendar days before visa appointment | 3 business days |
| I-20 Update/Replacement (includes Change/Addition of Major or other updates related to funding, name, etc.) Form: I-20 Update/Replacement Request | Within 10 calendar days of a change | 5 business days |
| H-1B Cap Gap I-20 Request Form: H-1B Cap Gap Form | No set deadline | 5 business days |
| Invitation Letter for Visiting Family Form: Family Member Invitation Request | 30 calendar days before their visa interview | 5 business days |
| Leave of Absence or Withdrawal Form: Leave of Absence | At the same time the withdrawal request is submitted to the academic program | 5 business days |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) Authorization Form: OPT Request | 100 calendar days before OPT start date (allow for 90 day processing time by USCIS) | 5 business days |
| OPT Employer Information Form: Add or Change OPT Employer or Update Current Employer or US Residential Address | Within 10 calendar days of a change | 5 business days |
| Program Extension Form: I-20 Extension Request | 30 calendar days before current I-20 end date | 5 business days |
| Program Shorten Form: F-1 Student Shorten Program | Within 10 calendar days of change | 5 business days |
| Reduced Course Load Form: Reduced Course Load Authorization | 10 business days before dropping below full-time enrollment | 5 business days |
| Reinstatement | As soon as possible, but no later than 5 months after violation | 5 business days |
| Return from a Leave of Absence Form: Return from Leave I-20 Request | As soon as the student has been formally readmitted to their program | 5 business days |
| SEVIS Transfer (Transfer Out of Emory) Form: Transfer Out Request | 10 calendar days before current I-20 end date | 5 business days |
| Social Security Letters Form: Social Security Letter Request | No more than 30 days before employment start date | 5 business days |
| STEM OPT Extension Form: STEM OPT Extension Request | 100 days prior to a student's post-completion OPT end date (allow for 90 day processing time by USCIS) | 5 business days |
| STEM OPT Material Change Form: STEM OPT Employment Material Change Reporting | Within 10 calendar days of change | 5 business days |
| STEM OPT Validations and Self-Evaluations Form: STEM OPT Validation and Reporting | Validations: Every 6 months Self-Evaluations: 12 and 24 months from start of STEM OPT | 5 business days |
| Work Authorization Based on Severe Economic Hardship | 100 calendar days before employment start date (allow for 90 day processing time by USCIS) | The new I-20 will be made during the appointment with an ISSS advisor. |
| Document or Request Type | Submission Deadline | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Training Authorization Form: Academic Training Request | No later than 10 business days before start date or before current DS-2019 end date, whichever is earlier | 5 business days |
| Change or Program/Degree Level (Matriculation) | Within 10 calendar days of admission to new program | 5 business days |
| DS-2019 for J-2 dependent Form: Add/Update Dependent | At least 30 calendar days before their visa appointment | 5 business days |
| DS-2019 for Newly Admitted Student Form: J-1 Student Request | At least 30 calendar days before visa appointment | 3 business days |
| DS-2019 Replacement Form: DS-2019 Replacement Request | No set deadline | 5 business days |
| Leave of Absence or Withdrawal | At the same time the withdrawal request is submitted to the academic program | 5 business days |
| On-Campus Employment Authorization Form: On-Campus Employment Authorization | 10 business days before the employment start date | 5 business days |
| Program Extension Form: DS-2019 Extension Request | 30 calendar days before current DS-2019 end date | 5 business days |
| Program Shorten Form: J-1 Shorten Program Request | Within 10 calendar days of change | 5 business days |
| Reduced Course Load Form: Reduced Course Load Authorization | 10 business days before dropping below full-time enrollment | 5 business days |
| Reinstatement | As soon as possible after the violation occurs | 5 business days |
| Return from a Leave of Absence | As soon as the student has been formally readmitted to their program | 5 business days |
| SEVIS Transfer (Transfer Out of Emory) Form: Transfer Out Request | 30 calendar days before current DS-2019 end date | 5 business days |
| Work Authorization Based on Severe Economic Hardship | 10 business days before the employment start date | The new DS-2019 will be made during the appointment with an ISSS advisor. |
| Document or request type | Submission deadline | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| DS-2019 for J-2 dependent Form: Add/Update Dependent | 30 calendar days before visa appointment | 5 business days |
| DS-2019 for New J-1 Scholar Form: J-1 Scholar Request | Hosting department should submit request at least three months before J-1 start date | 5-10 business days |
| Program Extension or Program Amendment Form: J-1 Scholar Request | Hosting department should submit the request at least three months in advance, but no later than 45 days before the current DS-2019 end date or the program change start date | 5 business days |
| Occasional Lecture or Consultation Authorization Form: Occasional Lectures and Consultations | 10 business days before the lecture/consultation start date | 5 business days |
| Replacement DS-2019 Form: DS-2019 Replacement Request | No set deadline; as needed | 5 business days |
| Transfer to Another Institution | 30 calendar days prior to start date at new institution | 5 business days |
Hiring departments should submit H-1B, O-1, TN and E-3 requests in a timely manner. The recommended timeframe varies by visa status, but ISSS recommends that departments follow these timeframes for initial scholar requests as well as for extensions or amendments to a current scholar's employment. Learn more about the scholar request process on ISSS' International Scholar Request Process page.
- H-1B Temporary Workers: At least eight months before a scholar's anticipated start date
- O-1 Temporary Workers: No later than six months before the prospective scholar's start date
- TN NAFTA Professionals: At least three months before a scholar's anticipated start date
- E-3 Australian Workers: At least eight months before a scholar's anticipated start date
Emory can sponsor eligible scholars for US permanent residency. Depending on the category that the scholar is qualified for (EB-1, EB-2, etc.), the permanent residency process can vary widely. Use USCIS' Check Case Processing Times for processing time estimates.
Please contact isss@emory.edu for case-specific guidance and to initiate the process of filing an employment-based permanent residency petition.