International Student and Scholar Services

Coronavirus Information -- Florida Tech Plan

October 6, 2022: This webpage is being updated regularly, and we encourage you to check it frequently for important updates.

Coronavirus Information:  Florida Tech continues to closely monitor the ever-changing information concerning the Coronavirus and variants. Please be sure to follow important university updates.

IMMIGRATION NOTATION:  Students are required to be registered appropriately per their education level (12 credits undergraduate student; 9 credits graduate student). Of those credits, only 3 credits can be taken online.  

For Students with a spring 2023 dated I-20: (includes brand new students, transfer students, and change of education level students): be sure that you follow all information sent to you concerning Check-In and Orientation.

Students in "Initial" status for spring 2023 can start entering the US no more than 30 days before the start date on their I-20 document. It is important to note that all entry into the US, at any time, is at the discretion of the port of entry officials.

Returning students are expected to return to Florida Tech and be ready to begin classes on Monday, January 9, 2023. 

IMPORTANT: Several immigration regulations had been temporarily changed due to COVID-19, however the one regulation that has not changed is that those students unable to comply with immigration regulations will have their immigration status terminated.

At this time, the ISSS Office has updated their office procedures for everyone’s safety:

• For general inquiries, please email isss@fit.edu  Please be patient in our response.
• All documents normally dropped-off for processing can be emailed to isss@fit.edu
• If you need a travel signature, please email isss@fit.edu  with your full name, student ID, and valid email address. A new document will be processed, signed, and you will receive an email when it is ready for pickup.
• As always, if documents do need to be picked up, it is important to remember to bring your student ID and that only the person whom the document belongs to can pick up the document (this is an immigration regulation)
• Office Hours and document pick up hours are Monday – Friday from 10am – 4pm when the university is open
  
• Please note that we may need to further adjust our office hours in the future based on new information or directives.
• Appointments are being conducted by phone, zoom, email, or in person. Please contact the ISSS Office if an appointment is necessary.
• If you have a specific question, please contact the ISSS Office at: 

Phone: 321-674-8053

Email: isss@fit.edu

International Student And Scholar Services

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) welcomes you to Florida Tech.

The ISSS Office is comprised of people who are professionals in providing the international student services you need to succeed in your academic life.  We have extensive training and experience in the interpretation of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations. Services provided include assisting and advising  F, J, M, and H-1B visa holders on all immigration matters, including enrollment requirements, travel, employment authorization, visa extensions…  to name a few.

International Student Services also offers cultural programs designed to assist you in adjusting to life in the United States and at Florida Tech. These include the International Orientation Program, the International Workshop Video Series (covering topics such as employment, travel and taxes), International Coffee Hours, the Annual International Festival, as well as many others.

ISSS prides itself in providing international students the services you need to be happy and successful at Florida Tech. So, once again welcome. We are grateful you have chosen to come and study with us.

We are located on the third floor of the Harris Commons Building (on the corner of University Blvd and Babcock Street).

Is Your I-20 Ready for Travel -
In order to re-enter the US after traveling, you must have the following: a valid passport, a valid visa, an immigration document I-20 that indicates "continued attendance" on page 1 and a valid travel signature on page 2.  If you need an updated I-20, please send your name, student ID number, and indicate your traveling date in an email to isss@fit.edu  Immigration is now allowing scanned I-20's to be sent to students. Please allow 5-7 working days to process your request.  If you are on OPT/STEM, you should also carry a letter from your employer (on company letterhead and signed) indicating you are traveling and are returning to the US to "resume employment".

NOTES:

1. A travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 is valid for 1 year from that date signed (6 months for students who are on OPT/STEM)
2. You are required to print out the I-20 and sign the bottom of page 1. Immigration is not allowing you to show your I-20 on your phone or other device to enter the US.  It is advisable to print out the I-20 in color.
3. Entry into the US is always at the discretion of the port of entry officials.

Documents on a variety of topics which are designed specifically to inform international students and scholars related to their immigration status, as well as other topics and issues of importance.

Join the ISSS List Serve
Get important updates regarding immigration regulations and international life on campus. 

The information contained in the ISSS Web site is for the use of the Florida Tech community. Some of the information is very general and some is specific to Florida Tech. Information contained herein should not be used as the sole source of information for making decisions that may affect one's legal status in the U.S. or one's right to study, teach, conduct research or work.  Directory lists (for services such as hotels, transportation providers, restaurants, shops, apartments, websites, etc.) appearing on this website are not endorsed by Florida Institute of Technology or the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.  The information they contain has not been included for promotional reasons, nor has any information been purposely left out or omitted.  Local businesses and the students who use them are welcome to submit suggestions for new directory listings by writing to isss@fit.edu.