The Center for International Affairs and the Office of International Student Services (ISS) understand the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has many implications for Case Western Reserve University's international students so we have compiled information to address many of the questions we have received and to help our students transition back to campus.
Our Services
The ISS staff (and the rest of the Center for International Affairs staff) want international students to know that we continue to be available to provide support and guidance through virtual and in-person advising hours as well as appointments conducted through Zoom, phone, and in-person.
As plans evolve, we will continue to provide updates through email and update this website as needed.
If any international students have questions or concerns, please feel free to email our ISS staff at international@case.edu so we can help.
ISS is offering both in-person and virtual advising to students:
- Virtual advising is available on-demand Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 11 am to 1 pm
- An ISS advisor will be available to answer international students' quick questions using the chatbox here.
- Please be patient if you have to wait to connect with an advisor; there may be times when we are trying to work with multiple students.
- In-person advising is available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 3 pm
- Students who would like to be advised in person can come to the Center for International Affairs in Tomlinson Hall, Room 143. No appointment is necessary for in-person walk-in advising.
International students who would like to request an appointment are asked to do so by emailing international@case.edu and including a brief description of what they would like to discuss.
An ISS staff member will respond by email to schedule the appointment and give the option to meet via Zoom, phone, or in-person.
Please note we generally require 24 hours’ notice for appointments and do not schedule same-day appointments. This is so that we can be best prepared to help our students.
Students can pick up or drop off documents at the office during business hours.
Students who are picking up documents will receive specific instructions when their documents are ready. Please wait to receive that message so that you're not making an unnecessary trip to campus.
Unless otherwise noted, students should not expect same-day service for processing documents that they are dropping off at the office or to be able to speak with an advisor. Students are welcome to further discuss their situations with an ISS advisor by using the virtual chat or during in-person advising hours, through email, or by appointment.
To request a travel signature, please complete the electronic form found here on our website.
Once a student submits a request, it will be reviewed by an ISS staff member, and the student will be notified by email when the request has been processed.
That email will also include instructions about how to access your document.
We encourage international students who need an extension to start working on their requests with a goal of submitting them no later than 2 weeks prior to the printed end date on the I-20 or DS-2019.
The request form for an extension is located here.
You will be notified by email when your new document is ready.
OPT and CPT workshops are available through both a virtual advisor-led format and a self-guided online module. Regardless of the workshop format, the content is identical.
Additional detailed information about applying for OPT and CPT can be found here and links to applications can be accessed under the Practical Training Related Links.
You will be notified by email when your new I-20 is ready.
If you have questions, you are welcome to contact us during virtual advising hours or in-person advising hours as well as through email.
We have been getting a lot of questions from students about their OPT applications. ISS is still processing OPT requests submitted through Terra Dotta (visas.case.edu) and emailing students when their new I-20s are ready. For more detailed information about the OPT application process, please visit this page.
Eligibility
If you are remaining in the United States to finish your semester and have otherwise properly maintained your visa status, you will be eligible to apply for OPT.
If you intend to apply for OPT and have plans to depart the United States soon, ISS strongly recommends that you apply for OPT before leaving. The Form I-765 application currently states, "You must file Form I-765 while in the United States" in Part 3, Applicant's Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, Certification, and Signature.
If you intend to apply for OPT but have already departed the United States, contact ISS at international@case.edu so that you can consult with an advisor about your specific situation.
If SEVP and USCIS provide additional guidance about OPT eligibility, ISS will share that information with all students through email.
Submitting Your Application to USCIS
If you are planning to apply for OPT this semester and are planning to use ISS’ address, we urge you to reconsider and use another address at which you can receive your mail. There could be delays in ISS receiving mail and delays in ISS notifying you about received mail. Using another address will minimize any inconvenience caused by unanticipated delays.
If you have already submitted your application to USCIS and used ISS’ mailing address, you can update your mailing address with USCIS immediately so that you can receive your materials elsewhere. You can change your address here:
- Click Continue
- Click Yes
- Selecting I765
- Selecting I765- Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student
- Entering your receipt number
- Entering the zip code you used when you filed
- Click Add
- Entering all of your personal information in the fields below.
- Click box to electronically sign
- Click Submit
FedEx shipping is the only option for any document shipping at this time.
Instructions to request and pay for FedEx shipping are provided to students by ISS as needed.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Case Western Reserve University requires COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for faculty, staff, and students. Visit the university's COVID-19 website for the most current information available.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program Updates
On April 18, 2022, it was announced that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will extend the guidance originally issued in March 2020 for the 2022-2023 academic year.
The March 2020 federal COVID-19 guidance is on the ICE website.
We want to provide the information below to help provide context as you make plans to enroll at Case Western Reserve for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Please take your time to read through it carefully. We welcome any questions you may have. Please email international@case.edu and we will do our best to answer your questions for you.
Please keep in mind that new developments may arise that require changes to this information; we will provide follow-up information as events warrant.