Contact Us

Hours

ISSS offers advising services virtually and in person on specific days. The Welcome Center will have staff ready to assist you in accessing advising services, and addressing any inquiries you might have.

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.

Open to the Public Hours

  • Monday: 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Document pick up/drop off and signing of the Employment Verification Letter (SSN letter) can take place during our public hours.

Virtual Service Hours

(This means staff work remotely. Please view our advising times under "Meet an Advisor" below.) 

  • Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Meet with an Advisor

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F-1 and J-1 Students

Immigration-Related Questions 
Email Advising[email protected]
Phone Advising (612-626-7100)

Monday and Wednesday:  1–3 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: 10–12 p.m.

Friday: We will respond to general calls only. Student advising services will not be available.

In-Person Drop-In

Students interested in meeting with an advisor in-person should come to the ISSS office and check in with our front desk (Welcome Center). Students will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 1:30-4 p.m.

Pre-scheduled Appointments via Zoom

These sessions are limited to 20-25 minutes. You may be asked to reschedule your meeting or attend an in-person advising session if your question or issue is not resolved within the allotted time.

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 

10-12 p.m. &  2-4 p.m.

Friday: 10-12 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, go to:http://isss.appointments.umn.edu/

Travel signature and other I-20/DS-2019 Requests (e.g. OPT, CPT, Extension, etc.)Submit request
Academic CounselingMake an appointment
FundingEmail [email protected]
I-20/DS-2019 Requests (e.g. OPT, CPT, Extension, etc.)Submit requests

J-1 Scholars

Email Advising[email protected]
AppointmentsEmail [email protected] to request an appointment
DS-2019 RequestsSubmit requests

Sponsored F-1 and J-1 Students

Immigration-Related Questions 
Email Advising[email protected]
In-Person Drop-InsTuesday, 1:30–4 p.m.
Zoom AppointmentsMake an appointment
F-1 Requests
Travel signature and other I-20 Requests (e.g. OPT, CPT, Extension, etc.)
Submit requests
DS-2019 RequestsSubmit requests
Academic CounselingMake an appointment

To Ask a Question or Make an Appointment

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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.

Submitting Visa Requests or Documents

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How do I submit a visa-related request?

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

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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

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Directions to the ISSS Welcome Center

entrance to Humphrey School building

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

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.

Last updated: March 12, 2024