Learning and Growing as Tigers
ISSS is ready to help you learn and grow at Trinity University. Our office can assist you in maintaining your F-1 status and other immigration matters, and with practical matters related to employment, taxes, and your driver license. Use the International Student Handbook as your guide throughout your time at Trinity—from your first day on campus until commencement.
Immigration Advising
Visa Information
ISSS advises international students to be aware of information provided by the U.S. government and other entities regarding applying for, maintaining, and updating F-1 nonimmigrant status for current students.
- Guide to study in the United States
- Changing from Non-Immigrant Status to F-1 Status
- Foreign Embassies and Consulates in the United States
- Preparing for an F-1 Visa Interview
Know the FACTS
Maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status
Knowing the facts means: being a Full-time student each semester; having Authorization for employment and training; keeping Current documents; obtaining the proper Transition documentation; and Staying in status and staying in touch.
Immigration Documentation
Documenting and certifying your academic progress and financial responsibilities is a required aspect of maintaining a valid F-1 status.
- Transfer Certification Form
- Financial Certification Form
- Reduced Course Load (RCL) Form
- Extension of Status Request Form
Immigration Attorneys and Legal Information
This information is provided for your convenience, and their services and information should be reviewed carefully.
Information Reporting
Reporting your information allows ISSS to update your SEVIS record.
It is required by the regulation that you must report any changes to maintain a valid F-1 status.
F-1 Requests and Approvals
Travel signatures, SSN support letter, CPT, OPT, and more.
TU International Portal
The TU International Portal is an online database management system to process your requests and/or authorizations. Through this portal you can access the instructions on how to submit your requests online (such as CPT, OPT, SSN support letter, etc.)
Employment and Taxes
There are many employment opportunities and career planning resources available for international students… and with those opportunities come tax documentation. Discover the type of employment that’s right for you as an international student.
OPT: Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows international students in F-1 status to gain off-campus work experience in their field of study before or after completion of studies.
- OPT Application Instruction
- OPT Information Presentation
- OPT Reporting Requirements and Filing Responsibilities
- OPT: Extension of Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 Status for Eligible Students under the H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations
OPT: STEM
Students in an STEM field may qualify for the STEM OPT extension. This is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field.
- OPT STEM Application
- STEM-Designated Degree Program List
- OPT STEM Reporting Requirements and Filing Responsibilities
- OPT STEM Extension Reporting Form
CPT: Curricular Practical Training (Internship)
Considering an off-campus internship or employment related to your major course work? Please read through our Curricular Practical Training (CPT) guidelines to review the steps you need to take to receive CPT authorization.
- CPT Information Presentation
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) recommendation form
- Trinity Internship Information
Career Planning Resources
- GoingGlobal: Information and resources for international careers and a database that contains state, metro, and US-wide H1B records gathered from the US Department of Labor (DOL), the government agency responsible for all H1B submissions.
- International Career Exploration
Tax Information
International Student and Scholars tax filing software: Sprintax, Glacier.
ISSS does not endorse these companies. This information is provided for your convenience and their services and fees should be reviewed carefully.
Licenses, IDs, and SSNs
Obtaining a Texas State ID or Driver License
If you will be in the U.S. for more than 30 days and plan to drive a car, you should obtain a Texas driver’s license. Access to a car, knowledge of Texas driving regulations, and testable driving skills are basic requirements for a driver’s license. You must provide your own vehicle when taking the physical (road skills) driving test.
Apply for a Texas Drivers License or State ID
Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety for more information on applying for a Texas driver license or state ID.
Obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN)
Social Security numbers (SSN) generally are assigned to those authorized to work in the United States and are used to report wages to the government and to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits. In order to be qualified to apply for an SSN, you must have a recent offer of employment.