This is the primary location for all information and application forms related to F-1 international student visa benefits and status maintenance.
Information found on this page will also be helpful to international students currently under other visa types who are interested in changes to F-1 visa status at some point.
Advisor name and location: (Assigned students are based on the first letters of the last name/family name) |
Student last name starts with: |
April Cochran, WDE 1800 | A - Char |
Ramsha Akhtar, MIC | Chas - Gunda |
Cord Cochran, WDE 1800 | Gundb - Kuc |
Becky Leevey, MIC | Kud - Nil |
Jeffrey Couch, MIC | Nim - Ses |
Heather Fernquist, WDE 1800 | Set - Z |
International students are required to update 无码专区 with their current address and phone information within 10 days of any move or update. This is also mandatory for F-1 visa holders due to the SEVIS regulations regarding address corrections.
You must update your address and phone information in within 10 days of any move or update.
Follow these steps to update the address details:
1. Collect your address information.
Make sure you have the format of the address for when you receive mail. Ensure that the apartment number is included (if applicable).
Note, the name of the apartment complex should not be entered in MyCentral.
Note, the city and state should not be entered in MyCentral. It will automatically populate when you enter the zip code.
Address example- (the fields to be entered by you are bolded in the example below)
Address 1: 123 W Main St. Apt 10
Address 2:
Address 3:
City, State: Lee's Summit, MO
Zip: 64081
Phone: (816) 222-4444
2. Login to MyCentral and update the information.
1) Scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page and select 'Update Address, Phone, Email and Emergency Contacts' 2) Enter your phone and local address information. 3) Click save within each section. 4) Scroll down and check both Address Agreement boxes and click submit.
You must update your address and phone information in the within 10 days of any move or update.
Follow these steps to update the address details:
1. Collect your address information.
Make sure you have the format of the address for when you receive mail. Ensure that the apartment number is included (if applicable).
Note, the name of the apartment complex should not be entered in the SEVP Portal.
Address example-
Address 1: 123 W Main St. Apt 10
City, State: Lee's Summit, MO
Zip: 64081
Phone: (816) 222-4444
2. Login to the SEVP Portal, update and save the information.
3. Complete and submit the for ISS
Change of Major
Enrolled Undergraduate Students:
If you're already enrolled and need assistance, reach out to your Student Success Advisor here.
Master's Level Students and Undergraduate Students not yet enrolled:
To request a change of program, please submit your request using the form found at the bottom of this page: Change of Program Request.
Beginning April 1, 2024, USCIS I-539 fees will increase. If you submit your application online or by mail on or after this date, you must pay the updated fee amount.
*The $85 biometrics fee is no longer required after October 1, 2023.
USCIS I-539 Fees | Before April 1, 2024 | On or After April 1, 2024 |
File Online | $370 | $420 |
File by Mail | $370 | $470 |
Students may apply to change visa status from F-2, H-4, or another status to F-1 status.
If you are interested in applying for a change of status, please review this and follow the steps outlined in the for more information.
If you would like to enroll part time at another university in the U.S. while pursuing your degree here at 无码专区, you will need to review and complete the following process to be approved to concurrently enroll:
Application Requirements for CPT I-20:
Student submission - CPT I-20 request must be submitted by the student.
** Once the CPT application has been submitted, a second application may not be submitted to change employers.
Academic department approval - Once the CPT request is submitted, it will first go to the academic department.
ISS Approval and I-20 issuance - Once the department approves, it will automatically be sent to International Student Services for a CPT I-20 to be issued.
At the time of submission, the complete CPT Agreement Form and Employment Offer Letter must be submitted by the student as uploads within the application.
Students may begin work only after the following two events:
Upcoming CPT Live webinars (click the link to register):
CPT Resources:
Eligibility Criteria:
CPT Dates and Deadlines
CPT Dates/Semester | Fall (August start) | Spring (January start) | Summer (May start) |
Deadline to apply | August 5th | December 16th | May 5th |
Start date options | August 19th - 22nd | January 13th - 16th | May 19th - 22nd |
End date | December 13th | May 9th | August 7th |
If you are an Active Status F-1 Student and would like to add a Spouse or Child as an F-2 Dependent, you may use this form to do so.
Students may apply for a Driver's License or non-driver's state ID. Submit the following form to receive a letter from our office to support your application:
Please review the following for information on the full process to obtain a Driver's License.
If your I-20 program end date is nearing, and you will not be completing your program in the current semester as expected, please submit the following I-20 program extension request form at least one month before your I-20 end date.
F-1 Visa Status Maintenance Resources
F-1 International Students are responsible for maintaining their own F-1 visa status by following all federal rules and regulations related to the F-1 visa type. It is important to familiarize yourself with all rules and regulations related to this visa type to ensure that you are adhering to all requirements.
Immigration Attorney Resources
We encourage you to seek legal advice from an immigration attorney on obtaining and maintaining appropriate immigration status, including when and how to complete USCIS application documents. The following links regarding immigration attorneys are provided for informational purposes only. The selection of an attorney is a personal choice. 无码专区 does not endorse or recommend any particular immigration attorney.
https://www. immigrationlawhelp.org/
Students requiring a letter confirming full time enrollment status at the university may follow the following steps to obtain an enrollment certificate from the university.
If you receive an error when following these steps please contact the Registrar鈥檚 Office for assistance.
Please see the following for information regarding the 无码专区 Health Insurance plan.
Choose your below student type for health insurance information specific to your situation.
If you are searching for housing in the area for when you attend 无码专区, please review this for ideas.
If you will need temporary housing between your arrival and move-in to permanent housing, please search the Kansas City, Lee鈥檚 Summit and/or Warrensburg area for hotels that fit into your travel plans and budget.
After students enter the U.S., an electronic I-94 is issued.
The I-94 can be accessed and printed from here: .
If you cannot access your I-94, or if there is an error on your I-94, follow this
process for assistance:
1. Go to the following website:
2. If you do not receive a response within 10-15 days, send an email to ISSS@ucmo.edu and provide a short description of what the issue is.
Your advisor will then contact Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on your behalf to assist with the corrections.
Beginning April 1, 2024, USCIS I-765 fees will increase. If you submit your application online or by mail on or after this date, you must pay the updated fee amount.
USCIS I-765 Fees | Before April 1, 2024 | On or After April 1, 2024 |
File Online | $410 | $470 |
File by Mail | $410 | $520 |
Application Requirements:
Students may begin work only after the following two events:
Students are not required to have the employer updated I-20 in hand to begin work on post-completion OPT.
Upcoming OPT Live webinars (click the link to register):
OPT Resources:
Eligibility Criteria:
OPT Dates and Deadlines
Application Deadlines: 3 months before to 2 months after program completion. Up to 90 days before and 60 days after the Thursday following finals week in the final semester of enrollment.
USCIS must not receive the application before or after the application window.
Start date: Choose a date from one week after finals week to 2 months after program completion.
OPT Dates/Semester | Fall (December completion) | Spring (May completion) | Summer (August completion) |
Application dates | September 15th - February 13th | February 10th - July 8th | May 9th - October 7th |
Start date options | December 15th - February 13th | May 10th - July 8th | August 9th - October 7th |
Within 30 days of OPT I-20 issuance:
USCIS must not receive the application more than 30 days after the issue date found on the OPT I-20.
If application is not submitted to USCIS within the 30-day period, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
If a 'rejection notice' is received from USCIS, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
Health Insurance:
For information regarding enrolling in 无码专区 Health Insurance while on OPT please go back to the forms page and select Health Insurance.
Inaccurate I-983 fee - Beginning July 8, 2024 the $100 must be paid again if you submit an inaccurate form I-983 more than once. See the chart below as an example.
*To avoid the additional fees, work with your employer to submit the I-983 correctly the first time. We have many resources available below to guide you on the process.
First time STEM OPT:
STEM OPT Fees | Before July 8, 2024 | On or After July 8, 2024 |
Submit STEM OPT app | $100 | $100 |
Submit I-983 to ISS and receive a reply requesting edits (1st) | $0 | $0 |
Submit I-983 to ISS and receive a request for edits again (2nd) | $0 | $100 |
Submit I-983 to ISS and receive a request for edits again (3rd) | $0 | $100 |
Total | $100 | Example: $300 (ISS requested I-983 edits 3 times) |
Application Requirements:
Students may continue working on OPT for up to 180 days after the original OPT end date while USCIS is processing the submitted OPT STEM Extension application.
Upcoming OPT STEM Extension Live webinars (click the link to register):
OPT STEM Extension Resources:
Eligibility Criteria:
This is due to the unique assigned to programs at each school.
Application Period and Deadlines:
USCIS must not receive the application before or after the application window.
USCIS must not receive the application more than 60 days after the issue date found on the OPT STEM Extension I-20.
Health Insurance:
For information regarding enrolling in 无码专区 Health Insurance while on OPT please go back to the forms page and select Health Insurance.
Students approved for OPT are required to update employer details within 10 days each time that they begin working for an employer. This includes the first employer, even if it is the same employer from previous CPT approval. Please complete the following form to update 12 Month OPT employment details.
Inaccurate I-983 fee - Beginning July 8, 2024, the $100 must be paid again if you submit an inaccurate form I-983 more than once. See the chart below as an example.
*To avoid the additional fees, work with your employer to submit the I-983 correctly the first time. We have many resources available under 'OPT STEM Extension - Request' on this page to guide you on the process.
STEM OPT Fees | Before July 8, 2024 | On or After July 8, 2024 |
Submit STEM OPT change of employer request. | $0 | $0 |
Submit I983 to ISS and receive a reply requesting edits (1st) | $0 | $0 |
Submit I-983 to ISS and receive a request for edits again (2nd) | $0 | $100 |
Submit I-983 to ISS and receive a request for edits again (3rd) | $0 | $100 |
Total | $0 | Example: $200 (ISS requested I-983 edits 3 times) |
Students approved for 24 month OPT are required to update employer details within 10 days each time that they begin working for a new employer. Please complete the following form and submit a new form I-983 to update 24 Month OPT STEM employment details.
You must submit the I-983 final evaluation from the previous employer to ISSS@ucmo.edu along with the I-983 for the new employer to complete this request.
If you are working for the same company and have moved to a new work location, changed supervisors, or have a new client site and have remained with the same employer, please complete this form to update your Current OPT employer information.
Students who would like for our office to check SEVIS for any updates based on your H1-B application may submit this form. Please notice that checks may only be done by our office every one to two weeks. You may contact the employer that filed your H1-B for up to date updates on application processing.
Beginning on April 1st, students who are currently on OPT and who are in the process of applying for H1-B status may apply to receive their cap gap I-20 to extend the end date of OPT if their current OPT end date is before September 30. Please also submit the following form to request a Cap Gap I-20:
Please note, that the I-797 registration notice from USCIS for online registration cannot be used to apply the cap-gap to your record. You must be able to present proof of a mailed H-1B change of status filing/application to receive the preliminary cap-gap or full cap-gap.
SEVP has confirmed that the registration notice cannot be used to issue the initial cap-gap extension for students whose OPT/STEM OPT extensions are ending prior to 06/01 and for the cap-gap extension through 09/30. Your employer will need to file the H-1B petition (Form I-129) and submit the form to USCIS.
In order to receive the initial cap-gap through 06/01, your OPT/STEM OPT extension must be expiring prior to 06/01. Please have your employer email a copy of the H-1B petition and the tracking information that they used to file the petition on your behalf to isss@ucmo.edu. Once we have received the documents, we can extend your OPT end date through 06/01.
If you receive the I-797 notifying that USCIS has received or approved your petition,
please submit a copy of that form to isss@ucmo.edu.
Please review the information from USCIS with regards to H-1B Petitions:
Students who participate in STEM OPT are required to report their participation in OPT every 6 months. This reporting requirement is required even if the student has not changed employers or addresses. Failure to report this information in a timely manner will result in failure to maintain valid F-1 visa status.
Report requirements for STEM OPT Report Participation are:
Please note that if the information reported does not match what is currently in SEVIS, one or more additional forms may be required in order to update the information in SEVIS. STEM OPT Report Participation cannot happen in SEVIS until all forms are submitted. It is in the best interest of the student to ensure they follow the USCIS mandate and report all changes in address and any changes in employment within 10 business days.
Students who are participating in OPT or the OPT STEM extension will receive an email once their OPT is approved and the OPT start date arrives to set up an SEVP Portal Account.
If you will not maintain full-time enrollment: 6 credit hours for graduate students, and 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, and you have a valid reason for under enrolling, please submit the following request form before the start of the semester, or at the time of the enrollment change.
Beginning April 1, 2024, USCIS I-539 fees will increase. If you submit your application online or by mail on or after this date, you must pay the updated fee amount.
*The $85 biometrics fee is no longer required after October 1, 2023.
USCIS I-539 Fees | Before April 1, 2024 | On or After April 1, 2024 |
File Online | $370 | $420 |
File by Mail | $370 | $470 |
F-1 International Students must review all information regarding how to maintain status in the F-1 Visa Status Maintenance section of this webpage. Students are fully responsible for maintaining their visa status, and they must consider their next options if they fall out of valid status. Students may consult with our International Student Advisors anytime for advice on specific situations to avoid falling out of status.
If you have misplaced your current I-20 and you are requiring a reprint of your I-20 document, please submit the following request. If you would like to request copies of I-20s previously issued, please also submit this request.
This letter is required for students without an SSN to obtain a Driver鈥檚 License.
Students applying for an SSN:
Please be sure to attend an appointment with your local SSN office within 30 days of the issuance of the SSN letter. You must request an updated letter from our office if it is beyond 30 days.
You must also attend an appointment with the SSN office no more than 30 days prior to your employment start date.
Submit the to the SSN office.
o If you do not complete the online application, then you must bring the Completed form 'Application for a replacement Social Security Card' with you to the SSN office.
Before going to the SSN office to obtain an SSN please be sure that you have already received your SSN letter (mentioned above) and for new students, the Continued Attendance I-20/DS-2019 from ISS.
*New students - please note that the continued attendance I-20s will be issued and available a few weeks after the start of your first semester.
Office Locations:
The policy is to contact the field office that services the zip code where you live. However, the Sedalia, MO office mentioned that they help students regardless of address when possible.
Use the following to identify locations and hours for your local SSN office. Generally, students are required to come prepared with all documents and just walk-in during open hours, rather than calling ahead.
All international students that were employed within the U.S. during 2023 must submit taxes to the IRS by the deadline: April 15, 2024.
Upcoming tax webinars:
Tax considerations:
You will not need this form when filing if you are not considered a U.S. national or resident. Sprintax can help you determine your resident status. (If Sprintax identifies that you are a resident, contact Student Financial Services for the 1098-T).
Please note that if you are on STEM OPT, you are transferring out, and...
MIC/Warrensburg Shuttle Services
Many students travel from the Warrensburg campus to the MIC Lee's Summit campus regularly- here is information regarding the shuttle service available: MIC Shuttle
Amtrak Train
Student may consider the Amtrak train as a transportation option, as it travels to multiple cities in the area:
- student discounts available
- schedule of arrivals and departures by city
- how to board the train, how to handle baggace, etc.
Please review the following travel tips document if you are traveling outside of the U.S.
If you would like to invite your family or friends to come to the U.S. on a B2 visitor visa, you can provide an invitation letter written by you in support of their application. Unfortunately, we are not authorized to provide a letter from the university to support visitor visa applications, but your personal letter should be sufficient. Please feel free to use the template below as a guide when writing the visitor invitation.
Please review the from the Registrar's Office for more information.
International Student Services
无码专区
Ward Edwards 1800
Tel: Admissions Questions: 660-543-4621 International/Visa Questions: 660-543-4092
Admissions: intladmit@ucmo.edu
International/Visa: isss@ucmo.edu