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• Office of International Students and Scholars
• Documents and Forms

All document delivery within the Office of International Affairs is currently processed electronically.  Pickup and shipping services are unavailable until further notice.  For additional information, please contact intl@nova.edu. 

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Adjustment of Status (AOS)

• I-485 Permanent Resident Pending Decision Form 

Commencement Visa Letter Requests 

• Sample Invitation Letter
• OIA does not provide visa invitation letters for commencement.  Instead, we have provided the following guidance to help you write a letter to the consular official requesting that your friend/family member be granted a visitor visa to attend your commencement ceremony.
• Students who will need a visitor visa to attend their own commencement ceremony should use the commencement letter provided by the Registrar's Office with their visa application.  

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Visit the International Student Workshops page for a list of upcoming off-campus employment workshop opportunities.

• Undergraduate CPT Application
• Graduate & Professional CPT Application [excludes Shepard Broad College of Law & College of Pharmacy students]
  • CPT Application - Shepard Broad College of Law Students Only
  • CPT Application - College of Pharmacy Students Only
• CPT Decision Chart - Use this document to identify when CPT is required
• 7 STEPS TO CPT - This document provides a brief overview of the CPT the application process

I-20 Program Extension

• I-20 Program Extension Form

I-20 Sponsorship Form

• Sponsorship Form

J-1 Exchange Visitor Request Form

• J-1 Exchange Visitor Request Form (for NSU personnel use only)

Leave of Absence Request Form

• Leave of Absence Request Form 
• Form requires students to log in with NSU credentials.  Students who are unable to log in must contact help@nova.edu assistance.  

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Visit the International Student Workshops page for a list of upcoming off-campus employment workshop opportunities.

STEP 1) Learn when you should apply for OPT: NSU OPT Timelines & Dates Guide - 2020-21 (Updated to Remove Spring Break 2021)

• Use this resource to identify when you should apply, expected timelines for processing, when you can choose your OPT start date, and how much unemployment time you would have. 

STEP 2) Complete and submit the NSU OPT Application Packet

STEP 3) After completing the NSU OPT packet and receiving their updated I-20, students may apply for OPT directly through USCIS either:

• Online
  • Learn how to create an account with USCIS and apply online here: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/tips-for-filing-forms-online
  • It is imperative you receive your OPT authorized I-20 before applying online. Applying online without your employment authorized I-20 will result in your OPT being denied.
• By Mail
  • Nova Southeastern University will not ship any documents to USCIS on behalf of a student.  Students will be notified when their OPT-endorsed I-20 have been created and will be responsible for picking up and shipping their entire OPT applications directly.  The Office of International Affairs recommends a trackable shipping method.  USCIS must receive your OPT application no more than 90 days after the date in which your OPT was recommended in SEVIS, as listed on page two of your new I-20.  Applications received after this date will be denied by USCIS.
  • Form I-765 (USCIS OPT Application)
  • NSU Instructions for the I-765
    • It is very important that you use this guide to help you complete the I-765.  Many changes have been made to the new I-765 and this form helps you understand how to completely and accurately complete the form. 

• OPT Photograph Requirements (Form M-603)

Reduced Course Load

• Reduced Course Load Form

Reinstatement

• Procedure for Reinstatement
• Reinstatement Application (Form I-539)

STEM Extension Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• List of STEM-Eligible CIP codes - In order for you to be eligible for a STEM Extension you must have one of the STEM-eligible CIP codes from this document listed next to your major on your valid NSU I-20.  
• NSU STEM Extension OPT Application Packet
• Effective 4 September 2018, Nova Southeastern University will no longer ship any documents to USCIS on behalf of a student.  Students will be notified when their OPT-endorsed I-20 have been created and will be responsible for picking up and shipping their entire OPT applications directly.  The Office of International Affairs recommends a trackable shipping method.  USCIS must receive your OPT application no more than 90 days after the date in which your OPT was recommended in SEVIS, as listed on page two of your new I-20.  Applications received after this date will be denied by USCIS.
• Form I-765 (USCIS OPT Application)
• NSU Instructions for the I-765
• It is very important that you use this guide to help you complete the I-765.  Many changes have been made to the new I-765 and this form helps you understand how to completely and accurately complete the form.
• OPT Photograph Requirements (Form M-603)

Transfer Forms

• Transfer Authorization Form (To be used by students who wish to transfer to NSU from another institution)
• Transfer Out Request Form (To be used by students who wish to transfer from NSU to another university)