International Student and Scholar Services

ISSS Visa Services and Processing Schedule

ISSS Processing Timelines

Updated 11/10/2025 and as needed; reviewed bimonthy

Please refer to the tables below for current processing timelines for different types of visa requests managed by ISSS. The tables also include recommended deadlines for submission of all required material to ISSS.

Understanding ISSS Processing Times: Unless otherwise noted, ISSS processing times reported in the tables below refers to the amount of time ISSS typically takes to process a completed request that includes all required information needed for that process. Timelines do not take into account additional processing that may occur elsewhere (e.g., admissions, HR, academic appointments, department approvals, etc.) and generally must occur before visa processing can be initiated. ISSS processing is only initiated once a complete request is received.

Understanding Submission Deadlines: ISSS sets submission deadlines based not only on our internal processing time, but the anticipated time needed for a case to go through any required government agency processing (e.g., Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, etc.), as well as consular wait times for those who need to schedule visa appointments before entering the U.S. Refer to the State Department's Global Visa Wait Times page for information about average visa appointment wait times. While individual cases may vary, submission deadlines are set to create adequate buffers to accommodate most visa request types.

General Email / Phone Inquiries

F-1 / J-1 Student Admissions Processes (Incoming Students)

Update: I-20 / DS-2019 Issuance Calendar (for Summer and Fall 2026)

ISSS will start issuing I-20 / DS-2019 forms for incoming Fall 2026 arrivals in late January or early February 2026. ISSS staff will coordinate information with their admissions office counterparts once details are finalized.

I-20 / DS-2019 Processing Timelines

The I-20 and DS-2019 issuance processes varies depending on the school of admission, with certain schools handling initial intake of I-20 / DS-2019 requests followed by ISSS review and issuance of those requests. ISSS processing only begins once the school's admissions office has completed their required procedures, and the admitted student has submitted any required additional documents, such as financial evidence statements.

Document Request	Deadline to Submit All Required Documents to ISSS	ISSS Processing Time
Form I-20 (Summer Start)	April 1, 2026	10 to 15 business days
Form I-20 (Fall Start)	June 1, 2026	10 to 15 business days
Form DS-2019 (Summer Start)	April 1, 2026	10 to 15 business days
Form DS-2019 (Fall Start)	June 1, 2026	10 to 15 business days

F-1 Transfer Students. Students who already hold F-1 status in the U.S. should try to meet the above ISSS submission deadlines; however, since transfer students are already in the U.S., additional time may be granted as appropriate since such students should not in most cases need to go through the visa application process at a U.S. consulate overseas. Please keep in mind that I-20 issuance cannot proceed until the student's prior school releases their F-1 SEVIS record to Brown. Students should discuss their transfer plans with their current sponsor regarding their plans to come to Brown, and select an optimal SEVIS record transfer date accordingly. If there are questions about the transfer process, email oisss@brown.edu.

F-1 / J-1 Student Processes (Current Students)

For current students already holding F-1 or J-1 status at Brown, the standard business time for most requests is five business days, unless noted differently.

Document Request	Deadline to Submit All Required Documents to ISSS	ISSS Processing Time
Form I-20 / DS-2019 Reprint	As needed	5 business days
Form I-20 / DS-2019 Dependents	As needed	5 business days
Social Security Letter	Upon offer of on-campus employment	5 business days
Form I-20 / DS-2019 Extension	10 business days before current I-20 or DS-2019 expires	5 business days
Form I-20 / DS-2019 Travel Signatures	10 business days before anticipated return to U.S.	3 to 5 business days
F-1 SEVIS Record Reactivations	Within 60 and no later than 30 days before expected date of return to U.S.	5 business days
Practical Training / Academic Training Related
CPT Request (F-1)	15 business days before start of training experience	10 business days
OPT Request (F-1)	90 - 120 days before desired employment start date; NO LATER than 15 days before end of F-1 grace period	5 to 7 business days
STEM OPT Request (F-1)	NO LATER than 15 days before expiration of post-completion OPT	5 business days
SEVP OPT Portal Reset	As needed	5 business days

J-1 Scholar Processes, including Visiting Research Fellows (VRFs)

Contact: All questions about J-1 scholar requests should be directed to the Assistant Director for Scholar Services, Laura Beth Montague (laura_beth_montague@brown.edu). Questions regarding the Visiting Research Fellows (VRF) program should be directed to Sonja Paulson, Assistant Director for Student Services (sonja_paulson@brown.edu).

Note: ISSS submission deadlines reflect not only time needed for ISSS processing times, but additional time that may needed for visa applications and arrangement of travel and arrival logistics. J-1 exchange visitors are not allowed to arrive in the U.S. more than 30 days before their program start date.

Responsibility for Submission: Certain J-1 requests must be submitted by the sponsoring Department while others may be submitted by the individual J-1 visa holder. The primary responsible party is indicated in the submission deadline notes below.

Document Request	Deadline to Submit All Required Documents to ISSS	Standard ISSS Processing Time*
Initial DS-2019 Request (all)	Department Submit request up to six months but no later than 90 days before anticipated start date of appointment	30 business days
Extension DS-2019 Request (all)	Department Submit request up no later than 30 days before end of current program.	10 business days
Occasional Lecture or Consultation Authorization (scholars only)	Scholar Submit request no later than 15 days before anticipated lecture / consultation event	5 business days
Replacement DS-2019 Request (all)	Scholar Submit when needed	5 business days
J-2 Dependent Request	Scholar Submit when needed	5 business days
Transfer to Other J-1 Sponsor (scholars only)	Scholar Submit request at least 30 calendar days before desired transfer release date	5 business days

H-1B / O-1 Employment Visas

Contact: All questions about H-1B and O-1 employment processing procedures and timelines should be directed to the Assistant Director for Scholar Services, Laura Beth Montague (laura_beth_montague@brown.edu).

Note: ISSS submission deadlines are based on a variety of factors, including:

Filing windows and restrictions established by federal regulation
ISSS review of documentation and seasonal caseloads
Department of Labor filings (if needed)
USCIS processing of petitions
Time needed for beneficiaries to obtain visas for initial arrival (if needed)

Because individual cases can be affected by unique factors, consultation and submission of materials to ISSS as early as possible is always recommended.

USCIS Premium Processing: Where needed or advisable, ISSS will communicate USCIS premium processing recommendations to the sponsoring department. In brief, tighter submission windows will generally increase the need for premium processing service.

Responsibility for Submission: Certain requests must be submitted by the sponsoring Department while others may be submitted by the individual scholar or employee. The primary responsible party is indicated in the submission deadline notes below.

CURRENT UPDATE REGARDING INITIAL REQUESTS FOR H-1B WORKERS: Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on initial H-1B arrivals, any department seeking to sponsor an H-1B employee for initial arrival should contact ISSS for further discussion.

Document Request	Deadline to Submit All Required Documents to ISSS	Standard ISSS Processing Time
Initial H-1B Request	Department Submit requests up to six months before anticipated start of employment and no later than four months before start of employment*	Up to 60 business days
Extension H-1B Request	Department Submit requests up to six months and no later than three months before expiration of current H-1B authorization.	Up to 60 business days
Change of Employer H-1B Request	Department Submit requests up to six months and no later than three months before expiration of current H-1B authorization.	Up to 60 business days
H-1B Amendment	Department Contact ISSS no later than 60 days in advance of the anticipated change in H-1B duties or job requirements for consultation	Varies
O-1 Request	Scholar Submit request at least four to six months before anticipated start of O-1 employment*	Up to 90 days

*In certain cases, ISSS may recommend that an H-1B or O-1 case be outsourced to the University's approved immigration attorney for handling. Outsourcing is usually based on case complexity and/or work overflow. Contact ISSS for more information.

Permanent Residence