Your visa

Jordan Lee · F-1 · Class of 2029 · Computer Science · STEM eligible

Needs your attention

3 to do

RENEW NOW Done

Renew your passport

Expires Dec 2026. It should be renewed 6 months before expiry, so you are already past that point.

Ask OIE what to do →

BEFORE WINTER BREAK Done

Get your travel signature

Without it on your I-20 you cannot re-enter the US after travelling home.

Request the signature →

BY MAY 2027 Done

Extend your I-20

It ends May 2027 but you graduate May 2029. Extend it before it runs out.

Ask OIE about an extension →

My visa status

On-campus work

Allowed — up to 20 hrs/week during term

CPT / OPT

Not authorized yet — normal for a sophomore

I-20

Active until May 2027 — extension needed

Your work timeline

NowSophomore

Summer ’27CPT internships open

Feb ’29 · deadlineApply for OPT

May ’29OPT starts

May ’30+24 mo STEM OPT

Spaced by real dates and built from your course plan.

Every year

Apr 15

File Form 8843, even with no income. Add a 1040-NR if you earned money. Pigeon reminds you on Mar 1.

Can I…?

The rules that protect your status. Red means it can end your visa.

Not allowed

Drop below full-time credits?

Only with OIE approval first: medical, academic, or your final semester.

Work off campus: part-time jobs, freelancing, tutoring, paid gigs online?

Not without CPT or OPT authorization. Any unauthorized income breaks your status.

Check first

Do an unpaid internship?

CAREFUL

It often still counts as work. Check with OIE before you say yes.

Take a gap semester for an internship?

NO — BUT

Do a full-time CPT semester instead: you stay enrolled and work full-time. Full-time CPT adds up, and 12 months of it cancels OPT.

Take a summer internship?

FROM SUMMER ’27

With CPT, after your first full year. Your OIE advisor (the DSO) approves it before you start.

Allowed

Work an on-campus job?

YES

Up to 20 hrs/week during term. 14 open on Handshake →

Do research for credit?

YES

It counts as part of your studies. Ask your advisor.

Take the summer off?

YES

Summer is your annual vacation. Travel and rest; working still needs authorization.

My documents

Passport

Expires Dec 2026

RENEW NOW

Travel signature

Needed before winter break travel

GET SIGNED

I-20

Valid through May 2027 · you graduate May 2029

EXTEND

F-1 visa stamp

Valid through Aug 2027 · only needed to re-enter the US

Visa roadmap — mini course 10-minute lessons, in plain language. 2 of 7 done.

Work rules basics On-campus 20 hrs max · what counts as “work”

CPT — internships during school OIE approval first · 12 months full-time cancels OPT

OPT — your first job after graduation 12 months · apply 90 days before graduating

STEM OPT — 24 extra months E-Verify employer + Form I-983

Getting your SSN Need a job offer first · SS-5 + I-20 + offer letter

Taxes without the panic Form 8843 every year · 1040-NR by April 15

Want time off? Read this first Gap semesters aren’t allowed on F-1 — a full-time CPT semester is the legal version

Continue: OPT — your first job after graduation →

Your visa office

Office of International Education

oie@andrew.cmu.edu

(412) 268-5231 · Warner Hall 3rd Floor

Walk-ins: Tue & Thu, 1:00–3:00 PM

What is it about?

Pick any topics and they go in the email subject.

CPT approval OPT timing SSN letter Tax forms Travel signature

Send a question →

Getting your SSN For later: once you have a job offer.

Get a job or job offer

No job, no SSN. On-campus jobs count.

Request your support letter

One click asks OIE for the letter.

Request the letter →

Visit the Social Security office

Bring SS-5, passport, I-20, I-94 and your offer letter.

Start working while you wait

Give the number to payroll when it arrives.