Hours
The Welcome Center will have staff ready to assist you in accessing advising services and connecting you with the correct resource.
F/J Students: Do you wish to speak with an adviser? ISSS will offer immigration advising virtually and in person on specific days/hours which might not match the hours we are open to the public. Please view our advising times under "Meet An Advisor" below.
Document pick up/drop off and signing of the Employment Verification Letter (SSN letter) can take place during our public hours.
Access to the building requires your U Card, so please bring it along when you visit ISSS. If you don’t have your U Card when you arrive at ISSS, please follow the provided signage or contact our front desk (612-626-7100) for assistance.
ISSS offers advising services virtually and in person on specific days. The Welcome Center (190 Humphrey School) is open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday during the hours noted. On Wednesdays and Fridays, services are provided virtually. Our hours are as follows:
- Monday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (virtual only)
- Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (virtual only)
Due to the open house event, the in-person advising session on Thursday, September 12 will end at 3 p.m.
Document pick up/drop off and signing of the Employment Verification Letter (SSN letter) can occur during our public hours.
Meet with an Advisor
F-1 and J-1 Students
| Immigration-Related Questions | |
| Email Advising | Monday-Friday |
| Phone Call (for general inquiries ONLY) | Monday-Friday: 9 a.m -12 & 1-4 p.m.
Essentially, advising services will not be offered over the phone, however, our Welcome Center staff can redirect you to a virtual advising session to speak with an adviser. |
| In-Person Advising Drop-ins | (Appointment not needed) Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: 1:30-4 p.m. |
| Virtual Advising Drop-In | (Appointment not needed) Monday: 10 a.m-12 p.m. Wednesday/Friday 2-4 p.m. |
| Zoom Advising (pre-scheduled) | (Appointment needed) Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 10 a.m-12 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday 2-4 p.m. |
| Travel signature and other I-20/DS-2019 Requests (e.g. OPT, CPT, Extension, etc.) | Submit request |
| Academic Counseling | Make an appointment |
| Funding | Email [email protected] |
| I-20/DS-2019 Requests (e.g. OPT, CPT, Extension, etc.) | Submit requests |
J-1 Scholars
| Email Advising | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Appointments | Email [email protected] to request an appointment |
| DS-2019 Requests | Submit requests |
Sponsored F-1 and J-1 Students
| Immigration-Related Questions | |
| Email Advising | [email protected] |
| In-Person Drop-Ins | Tuesday, 1:30–4 p.m. |
| Zoom Appointments | Make an appointment |
| F-1 Requests Travel signature and other I-20 Requests (e.g. OPT, CPT, Extension, etc.) | Submit requests |
| DS-2019 Requests | Submit requests |
| Academic Counseling | Make an appointment |
H-1B Employees
| Email Advising | [email protected] |
| Appointments | Email [email protected] to request an appointment. |
To Ask a Question or Make an Appointment
New Students
If you have been accepted but not started classes, you can email [email protected] when you have questions. If you are not sure who to ask on campus, we will answer or direct you to the correct office.
Prospective Students
If you have questions about applying and enrolling at the University of Minnesota, go to our website for prospective students or email [email protected].
Departments and Staff
Employment-Based Visas (this does not include CPT/OPT)
Departments and UMN staff with questions about Employment-Based Visas should email [email protected] or contact their advisor/case manager directly by email.
Departments with Questions about J Exchange Visitors
J Exchange Visitors are: J-1 Research Scholars, Professors, Short-Term Scholars, & J student Interns
Email [email protected] or contact the staff member directly.
How do I submit a visa-related request?
- Current students and scholars: Please review the forms page for your visa type. Many of our requests can be submitted through MyISSS, but some requests must be submitted through email.
- New students: You will need to contact the office/agency who created your visa document if you have questions or need a change.
- Departments and staff with questions about employment-based visas (not CPT/OPT): Email [email protected] or contact their advisor/case manager directly by email.
- Departments with questions about J Exchange Visitors: Email [email protected] or contact the staff member directly.
How can I bring/drop-off documents to the ISSS office?
When necessary, documents can be dropped off at the ISSS Welcome Center whenever the office is open to the public. An appointment is not needed to leave documents at ISSS, however, you will not be able to meet with an advisor when doing so.
Visa requests should be submitted either through MyISSS or email (review the Forms page for more information)
Document Delivery and Processing
How can I receive my documents?
Depending on your visa type, you can select the delivery method that is most convenient for you.
- Email: Due to visa regulations, only F-1 students can choose to receive electronic versions of their documents through email.
- Standard Mail: Physical I-20/DS-2019 documents can be mailed through standard mail. There will not a cost for this.
- Express Mail: International students/scholars and university staff/faculty can choose to have their physical I-20/DS-2019 documents sent to them by Express mail (Eship Global) or USPS. Students/employees/departments will be responsible for paying for the cost of express mail.
- Pick-up: Physical I-20/DS-2019 documents can be picked up from the ISSS Welcome Center whenever the office is open to the public.
What is the processing time for an I-20?
The processing time for all I-20 requests is 10 business days.
What is the definition of a "business day"?
When accepting visa document requests, we often state, “ISSS takes 7 or 10 business days to issue a new document.” What is this?
A business day is a day when ISSS staff are working.
ISSS starts counting business days on the business day after the request is received. Business days are usually Monday through Friday. Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) are not business days, and days ISSS staff are not working are also not business days.
Examples (review a graphic version here):
- ISSS receives your request on a Tuesday (the 1st day of the month). The following Monday is a holiday so ISSS staff will not be working. Your document will be ready on the following Friday (the 11th day of the month).
NOTE: ISSS cannot back-date an authorization (write a date earlier than when it should be authorized).
How do I use eShip Global?
Eship Global is an express shipping service for international students/scholars and university staff/faculty. Review our directions if you are submitting a request to have documents sent through it.
Visit Our Office
Directions to the ISSS Welcome Center
Located on the first floor where the Humphrey School and Heller Hall connect
190 Hubert H. Humphrey School (campus map)
301 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Additional Resources
- Humphrey School Building Information and Map
- Map of the West Bank and Driving Directions to Campus
- Directions from the East Bank: For approximate walking directions from Coffman Union, you can review these Google directions or watch our fun video on YouTube or Youku.
Checking in for Appointments
For in-person appointments, all students and scholars should check in at the Welcome Center in 190 Humphrey (unless otherwise directed).
Some ISSS staff members have offices in other locations. If you have a meeting with an ISSS staff person and need assistance finding their office, check in at the Welcome Center in 190 Humphrey so staff can direct you.
Accessibility
Any individuals wishing a disability-related accommodation should contact the Welcome Center Front Desk (612-626-7100 or [email protected]). Please try to provide two weeks advance notice if you are requesting additional accommodations.
