Change of Major 

Students that change their major or add additional majors during their course of study are required to notify International Student and Scholar Services in order to update the student’s I-20 record. Students will need to work with their academic advisor to ensure that the updated information is reflected correctly both in MyUNLV and the Registrar’s Office. Once the change has been updated in the student’s MyUNLV account, International Student and Scholar Services should receive an update from the Registrar’s Office to update the I-20. 

Students can also declare minors that will need to be updated on their I-20 SEVIS record. While these minors do not print on the I-20, their record in the federal database should show the minor that the student is earning.

Students should contact International Student and Scholar Services if they have any questions about updating their major or minors on their I-20/SEVIS record.

Changing Educational Level

F-1 international students that complete their degree program at a certain level and are admitted to a new educational level while at UNLV are eligible for a Change of Education Level I-20. An example of changing educational levels would be a student who has completed their bachelor’s degree program but is seeking to study with a master’s degree program at UNLV. 

You must request a Change of Education Level I-20 within 60 days of completing your program on your current I-20. If you decide to return for another program at UNLV after completing an OPT authorization, you will need to work with the proper admissions office to be admitted and be issued your new, Change of Education Level I-20. This new I-20 must also be issued before the end of your 60-day grace period and your new program must start within 5 months of your OPT end date or the next available semester (whichever is first). If you are graduating from UNLV and are seeking to continue your education, please contact UNLV Admissions. You may also find information about applying to an Undergraduate program or a Graduate application.

Change of Status from F-1

An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a full course of study in the U.S. If you are seeking to change to another status from your current F-1 status, please consult an immigration attorney.

If you have an active I-20/SEVIS record and F-1 status but have been approved for a new immigration status in the U.S., you must contact International Student and Scholar Services to report your new visa status. You should provide the following documents as evidence of a change of status:

  • Approval Notice from USCIS 
    • This is typically the Form I-797A
  • An EAD card for a qualified eligibility category
  • Green Card (Permanent Residency card)

I-20 Extension

If a student needs additional time to complete all of their academic program requirements, they must complete an with the assistance of their academic advisor or faculty advisor/graduate coordinator/department chair. Students will start the request in their International Student and Scholar Services Student Portal and then enter their academic advisor or advising department’s email so that an academic advisor can complete the request. Once their academic/faculty advisor completes the request, then International Student and Scholar Services will be notified that the form has been completed for International Student and Scholar Services review and approval. 

Students must turn in this form at least one week prior to the end of their current I-20 program end date.

Graduation

At the start of a student’s graduating semester, a student must not only apply for graduation in MyUNLV, but also complete the with the assistance of their academic advisor or faculty advisor/graduate coordinator/department chair. Students will start the request in their International Student and Scholar Services Student Portal and then enter their academic advisor or advising department’s email so that an academic advisor can complete the request. Once their academic/faculty advisor completes the request, then International Student and Scholar Services will be notified that the form has been completed for International Student and Scholar Services review and approval. 

Students must submit this form by the end of the first week of their graduating semester.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

Students can apply for a leave of absence (LOA) while studying in the U.S. However, once the LOA request has been submitted and processed, students are required to depart the U.S. as they cannot remain inside the U.S. while on a LOA. 

To go on an LOA, students must submit a completed form and their I-20 will be terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal.” This type of termination is not a negative termination as it shows the federal government that students have told International Student and Scholar Services that they will be on an approved leave of absence.

The options for returning from a temporary leave of absence vary depending on the length of time the student has been outside of the US, but further information is detailed below.

If the student has been absent for less than five months, they are able to request to have their I-20 reactivated under the same SEVIS number. To do this, students must submit the “” form in the International Student and Scholar Services Portal. 

Once this form has been submitted, the student's International Student and Scholar Services advisor will submit a request for SEVP to reactivate the student's I-20. If successful, the student’s I-20 will be reactivated and there will be no changes to the student’s ability to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Unfortunately, International Student and Scholar Services is not able to guarantee that this reactivation will be approved by the federal government. Students should be prepared to submit documents for a new I-20 with a new SEVIS number and new SEVIS fee.

Students that will be absent for two or more semesters must apply for a new I-20 and complete the check-in process upon return to UNLV. Students will also need to pay for a to activate their I-20.

Students will need to turn in the following documents to either the UNLV International Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions Office to request a new I-20 record with a new SEVIS number:

  •  

  • Financial Support Documents

  • Copy of Passport

If students are returning from a leave of absence and have been outside of the US for two or more semesters, they must enroll full-time for two semesters to be eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) again. 

Students will need to contact admissions (Undergraduate Students or Graduate Students) to see if they must reapply to take classes.

If students must take a leave of absence during their first semester at UNLV, they will need to reapply for admission to their UNLV program and apply for a new I-20 with a new SEVIS record.

Students will need to turn in the following documents to request a new I-20 record with a new SEVIS number:

  •  

  • Financial Support Documents

  • Copy of Passport

Students will also need to be prepared to enroll full time for two semesters to be eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) again. 

Students will need to contact admissions (Undergraduate Students or Graduate Students) to see if they must reapply to take classes.

Transfer to Another School

Students are allowed to transfer between schools while studying in the U.S. as long as the new school is a SEVP approved school. Typically, this is done at the end of the semester or the end of a student’s degree program.

To transfer out to another school, students must submit the following documents to International Student and Scholar Services:

  • Completed

  • Admission letter to the new school

Some schools may also require the student to complete a Transfer-In Form for their international office. If that is the case, please submit the form to International Student and Scholar Services so that it can be processed and completed.

If you have any questions about choosing a SEVIS Release/Transfer Date or if you need to transfer before the end of the semester, please contact your International Student Advisor.

Adding an F-2 Dependent Spouse or Child

While students typically add their dependents to their F-1 records during the admissions process, students can add them later during their studies as well by submitting both an and a within the .

Adding an F-2 Spouse

To add an F-2 Dependent Spouse, students must submit two requests:

  • An with the following documents:
    • Copy of Spouse’s passport information page
    • Copy of Marriage Certificate (in both English and native language)
  • A with the following documents:
    • Updated  
    • Updated Financial Support Documents

Adding an F-2 Child

To add an F-2 Dependent Child*, students must submit two requests:

  • An  with the following documents:
    • Copy of Child’s passport information page
    • Copy of Birth Certificate (in both English and native language)
  • A with the following documents:
    • Updated
    • Updated Financial Support Documents

*Please note: Children born inside the U.S. do not need to be added as an F-2 dependent child.