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It is always prudent to allow ample time for processing at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), government agencies in the US, and for possible visa processing overseas as the government processing times are unpredictable.

ISSS strongly recommends that you consult our web site or contact us to find out what application to submit, what supporting documentation to submit, and when to submit it. We are here to assist you!

• The processing times listed below are based on the assumption that ISSS receives a complete application with all required supporting materials. To expedite the processing, please send us all documents at once.

• If the scholar will need to obtain a visa overseas, please allow additional time.

• ISSS internal processing times will vary depending on application volume.

• If the application is not submitted to ISSS in a timely fashion, ISSS cannot guarantee that the application will be processed and/or filed in a timely manner or at the requested time.

General Documents

Document Type	Submission Deadline/Processing Time
Social Security Number Application Support Letter	Processed at ISSS front desk, while you wait
PA Driver's License Application Support Letter	Processed at ISSS front desk, while you wait
Invitation Letter	ISSS processing time: 5 business days

F-1 Student Status

Document Type	Submission Deadline/Processing Time
Initial Admission I-20	ISSS processing time: 3 weeks
Dependent I-20	ISSS processing time: 5 business days
Extension/Revision I-20	Students must meet with an ISSS advisor to submit their extension requests at least 30 days prior to the current I-20 end date. ISSS processing time: 5 business days
OPT I-20	ISSS processing time: 3 business days
CPT I-20	ISSS processing time: 3 business days
Return from Departure/Withdrawal I-20	Students must submit their return from leave application 2 months before they return. ISSS processing time: 3 weeks
ELP I-20	ISSS processing time: 5 business days

J-1 Student Status

Document Type	Submission Deadline/Processing Time
Initial Admission DS-2019	ISSS processing time: 3 weeks
Dependent DS-2019	ISSS processing time: 5 business days
Extension/Revision DS-2019	Students must meet with an ISSS advisor to submit extension requests at least 30 days prior to DS-2019 end date. ISSS processing time: 5 business days
Academic Training	Students must meet with an ISSS advisor to submit their Academic Training request to ISSS before completing studies. ISSS processing time: 3 business days

J-1 Scholar Status

Document Type	Submission Deadline/Processing Time
DS-2019	The hosting department should submit the request to ISSS 3-4 months in advance, but no later than 6 weeks in advance. ISSS processing time: 3 weeks
J-1 Scholar Transfer	Submit to ISSS 4-6 weeks in advance. Is processed on the specific date that scholar is "released" from prior institution. ISSS processing time: 3 weeks
Extension/Revision DS-2019	The host department must submit the extension request at least 45 days prior to the current DS-2019 end date. ISSS processing time: 3 weeks

H-1B Scholar Status

Document Type	Submission Deadline/Processing Time
Any H-1B	The hiring department should submit the request to ISSS 6-7 months in advance but no later than 45 days prior to the status expiration date/start of employment. ISSS processing time: 4 weeks Please note that the $1000 Premium Processing fee expedites only the H-1B processing at USCIS. Please allow additional time for the notice to arrive.

Permanent Residency Applications

The hiring department should consult with ISSS prior to making a decision to sponsor their employees for permanent residency.
Document Type	Submission Deadline/Processing Time
ISSS Processing Time for PERM Cases	3-4 months
ISSS Processing Time for Other PR Cases	3-6 months
DOL Processing Time for PERM Applications	2-5 months but will take longer if selected for audit (not uncommon at present)
USCIS I-140 Processing Time for All PR cases	6-18 months
The employee is responsible for filing I-485 or consular processing	See USCIS Processing Dates

All Other Applications

Consult with ISSS as they vary.

Please feel free to contact International Student and Scholar Services should you have any questions. Thank you!