Guidance and support for Rice international community and global travel

OISS will be closed for the Winter Recess from December 24, 2025, until January 4, 2026.

During the closure, our standard processing times will not apply, and all requests submitted to our office during the break will be reviewed after we reopen on January 5, 2026.

In case of an immigration emergency during this time, please contact the Rice University Police Department at 713-348-6000.

Forms & Handouts

This page contains helpful forms and handouts, as well as procedural flowcharts, for new and current international students & scholars, and Rice's Academic Departments. The forms are divided into the following categories:

New Students
New Scholars
Current Students & Scholars
Employment

NEW STUDENTS

International Student Admissions Flowchart

New Student Intake Form

Template Letter of Support for Financial Sponsor

Transfer In Form (Incoming transfers from another U.S. institution)

NEW SCHOLARS

J-1 Scholar Request Form

J-1 Transfer-In Form (Incoming transfers from another U.S. institution)

Understanding J-1 Health Insurance Requirements

CURRENT STUDENTS & SCHOLARS

Form to submit documents to OISS online

Student Extension Request Form

Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form

Request to add F-2 or J-2 Dependents

Transfer Out Form (Rice students transferring their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution)

J-1 Scholar Extension Form (for Academic Departments)

J-1 Address Update Form for Special Sponsored Groups

J-1 Transfer-Out Form (J-1 scholars transferring their SEVIS record from Rice to another U.S. institution)

EMPLOYMENT

Social Security (SSN) Regulations for Students and Scholars
On-Campus Employment Verification Form (for student SSN requests)
Map to Social Security Office

CPT
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Info Page
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Form for Undergraduates
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Form for B-ARCH Students for Preceptorship
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Form for Graduate Students
Online form for electronic CPT request submissions (netID) login required)

OPT
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Info Page
F-1 OPT Faculty Advisor Form for Undergraduates and Non-Thesis Masters students
F-1 OPT Faculty Advisor Form for Thesis Masters and Doctoral students
Online OPT Request form

STEM OPT
F-1 STEM OPT Extension
Online form for electronic STEM OPT request submissions

J Visas
J-1 Student On-Campus Employment Authorization Form
J-1 Academic Training Process
J-2 Work Authorization – For the Cover Letter Template, click here

Helpful Links