Immigration Request Processing Times
OGS’ International Student Services team supports over 1,300 incoming students, over 2,400 current students, and over 1,100 alumni. Our office processes immigration requests received to our main internationalservices@georgetown.edu account and individual advisors. Immigration requests are processed in the order received.
Determining Processing Times
Status of Pending Immigration Request
Incoming Students Processing Times
Current Students (F-1) Processing Times
Alumni (F-1 OPT/STEM OPT) Processing Times
J-1 Students Processing Times
Expedited Requests
Determining Processing Times
Processing times may vary as they are updated when needed based on the volume of requests and the time of year. The processing time starts when our office receives a complete and accurate form or request.
Please find current estimated processing times measured in business days for ISS immigration requests below. Please note the 1st business day is the first full day immediately following the email receipt of your request for an immigration benefit (e.g. OPT recommendation, travel signature). Business days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. University holidays are not considered business days. Occasionally the office will be closed for staff professional development and special events (e.g. new student orientation) and this may affect processing times.
Georgetown University’s Holiday and Winter Closing Schedule
Examples: Counting 7 business days
- Immigration request sent October 1, 2024 – Day 0
- October 2, 2024 – Day 1
- October 12, 2024 – Day 7
- Immigration request sent October 9, 2024 – Day 0
- October 10, 2024 – Day 1
- October 14, 2024 – Mid-Semester Holiday
- October 21, 2024 – Day 7
Status of Pending Immigration Request
Our mission is to ensure that all students receive timely immigration information and excellent service. Our advisors review and process hundreds of immigration requests and respond to hundreds of emails each semester. We appreciate your patience in waiting for your immigration requests to be completed and your immigration questions addressed.
If you find that your immigration request is outside of processing times, you can report this to our office by emailing internationalservices@georgetown.edu (current students and alumni) or newinternational@georgetown.edu (incoming/new students). Please remember to utilize the Determining Processing Times information above to identify your immigration requests processing time window.
Incoming Students Immigration Requests Processing Times
| Immigration Request | Est. Processing Time in Business Days | Where to Send Request |
|---|---|---|
| New DS-2019 | 10 | ISS Portal |
| New I-20 Request | 10 | ISS Portal |
| Add Dependent (after initial I-20/DS-2019 issued) | 10 | ISS Portal |
| Update I-20 | 10 | newinternational@georgetown.edu |
Current Students Immigration Requests (F-1) Processing Times
| Immigration Request | Est. Processing Time in Business Days | Where to Send Request |
|---|---|---|
| Add Dependent | 7 | International Student Advisor |
| Authorized Early Withdrawal (leave of absence) | 7 | International Student Advisor |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request | 7 | internationalservices@georgetown.edu |
| Extend Curricular Practical Training | 5 | internationalservices@georgetown.edu |
| F-1 Travel Signature | N/A | Issued for all students in October/November valid for one calendar year |
| F-1 Reduced Course Load (Academic) | 5* | internationalservices@georgetown.edu |
| F-1 Reduced Course Load (Medical) | 5* | internationalservices@georgetown.edu |
| Form I-20 Extension Request | 10* | International Student Advisor |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request | 7 | internationalservices@georgetown.edu |
| International Organization (IO) Request | 7 | International Student Advisor |
| Social Security Letter | N/A | Need to make in-person appointment |
| Transfer Out Request | 5 | International Student Advisor |
Alumni Immigration Requests (F-1 OPT/STEM OPT) Processing Times
F-1 OPT
| Immigration Request | Est. Processing Times in Business Days | Where to Send Request |
|---|---|---|
| Cap-Gap Form I-20 Request | 7 | International Student Advisor |
| Report EARLY Completion of OPT | 5 | International Student Advisor |
| SEVP Portal Access Request | 5 | International Student Advisor |
| SEVP Portal Employment Update Request | 5 | International Student Advisor |
| Transfer Out Request | 5 | International Student Advisor |
| Travel Signature Request | 5 | International Student Advisor |
F-1 STEM OPT
| Immigration Request | Est. Processing Time in Business Days | Where to Send Request |
|---|---|---|
| 6-Month Validation Report | 5 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| 12-Month Validation Report | 5 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| 18-Month Validation Report | 5 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| 24-Month Validation Report | 5 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| Cap-Gap Form I-20 Request | 7 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| Changes-Updates to Current Employment | 10 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| Changes to Employment Status | 10 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| Report EARLY Completion of STEM OPT | 5 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| STEM OPT Extension Request | 7 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| Transfer Out | 5 | STEM International Student Advisor |
| Travel Signature | 5 | STEM International Student Advisor |
J-1 Students Immigration Requests Processing Times
| Immigration Request | Est. Processing Time in Business Days | Where to Send Request |
|---|---|---|
| On-Campus Employment Authorization | 5 | International Student Advisor |
| Academic Training (AT) Authorization | 10 | International Student Advisor |
| Add Dependent(s) Request | 10 | International Student Advisor |
| Form DS-2019 Extension Request | 10 | International Student Advisor |
| J-1 Transfer Out Request | 5 | International Student Advisor |
| J-1 Travel Signature Request | 5 | International Student Advisor |
Expedited Immigration Requests
International Student Services does not accept requests to expedite. To ensure equitable support for all students, we process requests in the order received. We acknowledge that some requests are more urgent. ISS prioritizes requests which can impact F-1 and J-1 immigration status such as program extensions (and DHS mandated deadlines such as STEM OPT validation reports).