F-1 status is a non-immigrant classification that permits you to stay in the U.S. as long as you remain a registered full-time student and comply with the requirements of your F-1 status.
All international students admitted to eligible degree programs at Texas Christian University will be issued a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, unless a specific funding source mandates a J-1 student visa.
Maintaining Immigration Status
In order to maintain lawful F-1 status and be eligible for F-1 benefits such as employment, students must maintain their F-1 immigration status.
SEVIS Registration
All new international students are required to complete their Online Check-In and upload their immigration documents through the ISO Gateway
***This must be done within 2 weeks of the semester start date.
Program Extension
Students in F-1 status are given the standard program length of full-time study on their form I-20 in order to complete their degree requirements. Students who will not complete their degree program by the program end date on their form I-20 may request an extension under certain circumstances. Students must obtain the extension before their current form I-20 expires. Failure to request an extension in a timely manner will result in loss of the student’s immigration status. To apply, submit your request through the ISO Gateway.
Reduced Course Load
International students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to maintain full-time enrollment each semester to properly maintain their immigration status. Federal regulations provide limited circumstances for when an F-1 student may be authorized for a Reduced Course Load (RCL). Use this form to request a RCL with the ISO. Students may not drop below full-time enrollment prior to receiving authorization from the International Services Office (ISO). To apply, submit your request through the ISO Gateway.
Transfer Out Form
Request to have your SEVIS record transferred out from TCU to another U.S. school. Note that this is a required form. The ISO will not transfer a student’s SEVIS record without proof of admission.
Curricular Practical Training
Students in programs that REQUIRE an internship may participate in CPT, which is internship based off-campus internship that is directly related to your degree and required by your program. Requires approval from program and International Services Office prior to employment. Note that payment is not a factor in determining if CPT is needed.
Optional Practical Training
OPT is an F-1 benefit designed to provide 12 months of employment-based training related to a student’s degree upon program completion.
STEM OPT Extension
Certain F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT).
Family Visit Request
To request a letter of support for family members wanting to visit the US for graduation, summer break/vacation or emergency/medical circumstance (Immediate family only), please complete the Family Visit request through the ISO Gateway. Paper applications will no longer be accepted. Please allow a minimum of 5 business days for processing.
Texas Driver’s License and Texas State ID
Click for information on how to apply for the Texas driver’s license or Texas State ID
Apostille Request
Use this link to request an apostille from the Secretary of State in Austin Texas. The “apostille” is part of the authentication process required by many countries, seeking to confirm that your degree in the U.S. is authentic and valid.
U.S. tax filing is a legal requirement. International students, employees, scholars and all dependents who were physically present in the U.S. for each tax year (January 1 – December 31) must file at least one tax form, even if no U.S. source income was earned. Review the following webpages to learn more about social security numbers, ITIN, and filing taxes in the U.S. for foreign nationals receiving funding from TCU.
A Social Security card lists your unique 9-digit SSN issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). The card (and your SSN) will be necessary to work in the U.S. and to file taxes. A Social Security card is NOT a work permit. Please review the Social Security Number webpage for details.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
I-20 Request
Please reach out to the International Services Office to issue an immigration document (I-20/DS-2019) for a fully-admitted international student to an academic program at TCU. Any students requesting the I-20/DS-2019 must meet the following criteria:
The ISO cannot process I-20/DS-2019 requests unless the above criteria are met.
Financial Documentation
All Costs/Fees are determined and set by the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. Graduate/Professional Costs can be view here. If tuition costs/expectations are different for your particular degree/program, you must submit the request to adjust estimated funds to our office prior to the I-20 issuing admissions cycle. Please reach out to our office for any questions or concerns.
Please refer to the International Graduate Admissions Webpage for more information.
