E-Form Processing Times
Potential Processing Delays Due to SEVIS Maintenance
SEVIS is currently undergoing maintenance and updates related to the elimination of Duration of Status, effective on September 15, 2026. Due to these changes to SEVIS, we are experiencing delays outside our office's control. As a result, some eForm requests may take longer to process than usual. Requests that could jeopardize your status if delayed will be reviewed and processed first, as long as the student has submitted with initial processing times in mind.
Processing times below show the maximum number of business days for each e-form. The clock starts once ISS receives your form complete and accurate. Business days are Monday through Friday and do not include university holidays.
What to do if your form is past its processing time
Is your form past its processing time?
Email international@vt.edu with your form name and submission date. Most cases are flagged as urgent and reassigned within 1-2 business days. If your case is still pending after 3 business days, ISS leadership will follow up with you directly.
Will you expedite my request?
We do not expedite eforms. We process eforms in the order they are received so that our practices are equitable across all 5,000 international students.
Processing Time Tables
ISS General Form Processing Times
| E-form Title | Max Processing Time (Business Days) |
| Passport Upload | 5 |
| Social Security Number Letter Request | 5 |
| Authorized Early Withdrawal | 7 |
| New International Student Intake Form | 7 |
| New Student Dependent(s) Request | 7 |
F-1 General Form Processing Times
| E-form Title | Max Processing Time (Business Days) |
| Form I-20 Reprint Request | 5 |
| Add Dependent(s) Request | 7 |
| Concurrent Enrollment Request | 7 |
| Form I-20 Request (Returning Students)* | 7 |
| Immigration Check-In for F-1 Students | 7 |
| Transfer Out Request | 7 |
| F-1 Reduced Course Load Request (Academic) | 7 |
| F-1 Reduced Course Load Request (Medical) | 7 |
| Form I-20 Extension Request* | 7 |
| F-1 Travel Signature Request | 7 |
| F-1 Travel Signature Request (dependent only) | 7 |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request | 15 |
* Needs department or campus partner approval before Cranwell processing time begins
F-1 OPT/STEM OPT Form Processing Times
| E-form Title | Max Processing Time (Business Days) |
| 6-Month Validation Report | 5 |
| 12-Month Validation Report | 5 |
| 18-Month Validation Report | 5 |
| 24-Month Validation Report | 5 |
| DMV Letter | 5 |
| SEVP Portal Access Request | 5 |
| SEVP Portal Employment Update Request | 5 |
| Cap-Gap Form I-20 Request | 7 |
| Changes/Updates to Current Employment | 7 |
| Changes to Employment Status | 7 |
| Report Early Completion of OPT | 7 |
| Report Early Completion of STEM OPT | 7 |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request | 15 |
| STEM OPT Extension Request | 15 |
J-1 General Form Processing Times
| E-form Title | Max Processing Time (Business Days) |
| Form DS-2019 Reprint Request | 5 |
| Reduced Enrollment Request (Final Semester) | 5 |
| Add Dependent(s) Request | 7 |
| Immigration Check-In for J-1 Students | 7 |
| J-1 Transfer Out Request | 7 |
| Form DS-2019 Extension Request | 10 |
| J-1 Travel Signature Request | 10 |
| Academic Training Authorization | 15 |
Please note the 1st business day is the first full day immediately following the submission of the e-form. Business days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. University holidays are not considered business days.
Existing worked example to retain as is:
Example: Counting 10 business days
- E-form submitted on December 20, 2023: Day 0
- December 21, 2023: Day 1
- Winter Closing from December 23, 2023, to January 2, 2024: remove from count
- January 11, 2024: Day 10
If your e-form requires corrections or requires approval from another department, your processing clock will start when we receive all corrections and approvals. Please plan accordingly.