Before you schedule an appointment or contact us, the answers to most F-1 student questions can be found here:
CPT: Off-Campus
Work Authorization
Social Security Numbers (SSN)
Travel Outside the US
Applying for a Maryland
Driver’s License or State ID
OPT: Post-Graduation
Work Authorization
STEM OPT Extension
Extend Your F-1 Program (I-20)
Change of Immigration Status
New Students!
Download the International Student Arrival Guide
COVID-19: Spring 2022 Options for
New and Continuing F-1 Students
Something else?
See how to contact ISSS
ISSS is your best source of information regarding immigration, visas, and work permission. For other inquiries, please contact the specific office or department that manages those areas:
Student Business Services (SBS)
Billing, payments, wire transfers, tuition and fees, payment plan
Retriever Integrated Health/University Health Services (UHS)
Health insurance, immunizations, health form, counseling
Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS)
Finding an off-campus apartment, roommates, commuter resources
Career Center
On-campus employment, internships, CPT prac enrollment, & job search support
Office of the Registrar
Requesting a transcript, adding/dropping courses, enrollment verification, graduation for undergraduate students
Academic & Pre-Professional Advising
Academic advising for undergraduate (BA, BS) students, resources for academic success
Academic Advising for Graduate Students
Each academic department provides academic advising for their master’s and Ph.D. students
Graduation (Graduate Students)
The progressions team in the Graduate School assists master’s and Ph.D. students with graduation
Advising Hours
ISSS advisors are available to meet with you to discuss questions you might have.
You must have an appointment in order to speak with an ISSS advisor during Advising Hours.
Please adhere to the following guidelines:
- If you have already sent an email to ISSS with your inquiry, please do not make a separate appointment to follow up. You’ll receive a response within 2 – 3 business days
- Remember to include your Campus ID and any relevant information when making your appointment
On Wednesday and Friday, January 26 and 28, there will be no morning Live Chat hours.
We will be running orientation for new international students. We look forward to connecting soon!
Live Chat (all times Eastern US Time)
Monday/Thursday: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM -12:00
Tuesday/Friday 10:00 AM -12:00, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
ISSS Advising Appointments
Monday: 10:00 AM- 12:00 noon
Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Document Drop Off & Pickup
If you need to drop off an I-20 for a travel signature or pick up a document from ISSS, you can visit the front desk of the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), located on the second floor of the University Center (above Starbucks and Chick-fil-A).
CGE is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Only come to pick up a document when you have been notified it is available
- Document requests cannot be made by visiting the front desk – please use the appropriate method (ISSS Portal or email) to make your request
- You must bring your UMBC Campus ID card
- You cannot meet with an ISSS advisor when you pick up a document
Getting in Touch By Email
If you have a question or issue that you cannot resolve using any of the methods above, please email ISSS. We aim to respond to inquiries within 2 – 3 business days. ISSS advisors respond to emails during business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Please do not send multiple emails or contact individual CGE staff members. This will only delay our ability to respond promptly to your message.