The campus will remain closed until 12 noon Thursday, 02/13/25. Students should log into Canvas for specific class information from their instructors. Please contact event organizers for information on specific activities. Normal operations will resume at 12pm on Thursday.
On behalf of the Office of International Programs (IP), we look forward to welcoming you to our campus. Over the course of your stay at LTU, IP will assist you with your cultural adjustment, academic integration, professional growth, and personal support.
During the orientation program, we will be presenting vital information on immigration regulations, academic issues, health insurance, and many campus resources. Orientation will also be an opportunity for you to meet other new students and familiarize yourself with the LTU campus.
As a new international student we hope to make your arrival and transition as enjoyable as possible. The Office of International Programs is available to answer questions you may currently have concerning your arrival to the University and life at LTU. When booking your flight to the U.S., please keep in mind that you cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to your program start date which is listed on your I-20 or DS2019. You will soon be on your way to an exciting new life in Michigan. The information in this section will guide you in making proper arrangements for arrival assistance.
You cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to your program start date. We recommend you arrive at least several days before orientation begins so you can settle in and adjust to the time difference.
Yes, attendance at International Orientation is mandatory. Not only do you meet your International Advisors, other students and University staff members, but you learn valuable information regarding your visa status and University policies and procedures.
The weather in Southfield ranges from anywhere in the 80 degree Fahrenheit range in the summer to below freezing in the winter.
No, LTU does not require any immunizations before coming to the U.S.
All new students living in University Housing to be vaccinated and provide vaccination records to the Office of University Housing. Please review the vaccine requirements.
Yes, Smart Bus is available.
Your SEVIS ID is located on the top right corner of your I-20/DS20-19. It begins with N00.
You can add your spouse, or child (under 21) can be added as a dependent.
Visit the University Housing website for updates on living on-campus. Also, since you will be arriving early for International Orientation, be sure to contact University Housing to make arrangements.
Arbor Lofts is a close, local housing solution for LTU students. Surrounding neighborhoods include Dearborn, Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hill, Royal Oak, Ferndale, and Oak Park.
Lawrence Tech is not able to provide transportation to campus; however, we can help you by providing transportation information so you are able to plan ahead for your arrival. We recommend that you make transportation arrangements with a taxi company to take you to a nearby hotel before coming to campus. Getting settled in your hotel before coming to campus will make your transition much easier.
If you need transportation from the airport, you can make your travel arrangements to campus by contacting Metro Cars or call 800.456.1701. There is also a Metro Cars Desk at the airport.
If you are arriving after campus hours, please call campus safety, 248.204.3945 if you need assistance upon arrival.
LTU is able to provide limited transportation to those arriving to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) January 2-7 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. As indicated, there are limited spaces available and we may not be able to provide this service to all students arriving in those dates and times. If you would like to request transportation, please complete the Request Form.
South Housing
Lawrence Technological University
21211 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
248.204.3140
Donley/East/Reuss Hall
Lawrence Technological University
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
248.204.3140
If you are going to a hotel, please have that address available to give to the taxi company.
Travelers will receive an electronic I-94 record when entering the US. The electronic arrival/departure record (I-94) can be obtained at www.cbp.gov/I94. Please note that travelers crossing at land border ports of entry will continue to receive a paper I-94.
We recommend that all International Students obtain a copy of their I-94 for their records after each entry to the US.
CBP will provide each traveler with an admission stamp that is annotated with the date of admission to the U.S., classification of admission (F-1 or J-1) and admitted until date.
Yes, you are eligible to work on campus immediately. Please contact the OIP if you are offered an on-campus position.
There are only a limited number of these positions available each year and competition may be intense. Therefore, students should not rely upon obtaining part-time employment to fund college expenses, but rather they should have sufficient funds prior to their arrival at Lawrence Technological to support their educational objectives. To find out more about these opportunities, please visit the Career Services Office, C404. The Office of International Programs cannot help place you in an on campus job.
Possibly, review information under the Work Authorization tabs. Please keep in mind that you cannot work off campus without proper work authorization. Working without proper authorization is a very serious violation of your F1 status and is not tolerated.
This work authorization is only available to F-1 students. If you are a J-1 student, please review the Academic Training information to learn about your work authorization.
Three months prior to an international student’s graduation , he or she may apply for Optional Practical Training. This practical training lasts for a period of twelve months and starts when the international student receives permission from USCIS. Students do not need to have an employment offer to apply for this permission, however, per government regulations, only 90 days of unemployment are allowable during the 12-month OPT period.
If you are an international student who wishes to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, there are some important rules you must follow. To ensure that you can receive your employment authorization on time, you should complete the steps outlined below.
The first step you must do is complete the OPT Workshop Module and score a 15 or above on the quiz. The OPT Workshop Module is found in Canvas in the International Programs group.
You must apply for OPT at the International Programs Office no more than 90 days prior to your program end date , but it is recommended that you complete the OPT workshop requirement earlier in your last semester.
The following documents are needed for your OPT application:
The International Programs Advisor will confirm your eligibility before providing you with guidance on the OPT application.
You will file your application online with USCIS and monitor your case status through your account.
Download the Guide to OPT from our Forms & Document (printable) section for further detail on OPT. If you are ready for your appointment, please email international@ltu.edu for assistance.
Recipients of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM ( S cience, T echnology, E ngineering, M athematics) fields may be eligible for a one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months). The 24-month Stem Extension OPT is adjudicated (approved) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The earliest that students can apply is 90 days before the end of the 12-month OPT.
Download the Guide to OPT STEM Forms & Document (printable) section for further detail on STEM. If you would like to make an appointment, please email international@ltu.edu to request one. If you live out of state and need to do a STEM appointment we can do the advising via email.
OPT MODULE COMPLETION IS MANDATORY PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR OPT.
International students who are required by their degree program to obtain practical experience may be eligible for this type of training in a full-time or part-time capacity. To find out whether or not this is a requirement of your degree program, please check with your academic advisor or your department.
Curricular Practical Training comes with no time limits; therefore, students may engage in this training for as long as it is required. However if students participate in FULL-TIME Curricular Practical Training for more than twelve months, they will not be eligible for the second type of practical training or Optional Practical Training. Students must also complete their Curricular Practical Training prior to their graduation from Lawrence Technological University.
If you are an international student who wishes to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), here are some important rules that you must follow. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available to F-1 students who have maintained their F1 status for one year. Students MUST attend two full-time semesters before being eligible for employment benefits on CPT. F-1 students can work off campus with authorization of the U.S. government if this work is part of the student’s curriculum (for example a co-op or a directed study course) To be eligible for CPT you must be enrolled in a course that will provide the credits for your working experience.
Students taking ESL classes are not eligible for CPT. CPT must be directly related to the field of study, is usually one semester, and must enter the student’s academic record. Students are eligible for part time or full time CPT. Part time CPT is limited to less than 20 hours per week.
To apply for Curricular Practical Training you must:
Please be advised to allow at least a one week notice for processing. To obtain the CPT Form, please download the form from our Forms & Documents (Printable) section.
The US Department of State Exchange Visitor Program regulations allow J-1 student visa holders to apply for Academic Training (AT) before and/or after completion of their program of studies.
Only students pursuing a degree are allowed to apply for Academic Training. Students become eligible for AT after they have been in lawful, full-time student status for one full academic year.
The cumulative period of Academic Training is 18 months, unless the student is pursuing a program that requires fewer than 18 months, in which case the period of Academic Training is shortened accordingly. The period of Academic Training cannot be longer than the period of time the student takes to complete his/her program of studies. For example, a student who completes a Master’s degree in one year is allowed only one year of Academic Training.
Student on academic training are allowed to work full-time during vacations, and up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. Remember that no student is allowed to work for more than 20 hours per week when school is in session. Therefore, if a student has an assistantship, she/he cannot be employed for Academic Training.
Download the Guide to Academic Training from our Forms & Document (printable) section for further details. Please email international@ltu.edu with questions regarding Academic Training.
International Advisors at LTU are not trained on U.S. tax law and cannot advise our students on this topic. Please see the IRS website here for tax information pertaining to foreign students and scholars.
In the United States, a Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued to citizens, permanent residents and temporary (working) non-residents by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Its primary purpose is to track individuals for taxation purposes; it is not intended to be used for identification purposes.
An SSN can only be issued to someone who:
Currently, SSNs are only issued to non-residents who have an employment offer. In other words, you cannot get a SSN unless you have a job. If you get an on-campus job offer and do not have an SSN, you will need a verification letter from the Office of International Programs. You will need this letter in order to apply for an SSN. Your LTU supervisor will submit the SSN letter request to the Office of International Programs which will then generate the needed verification letter for you.
Some employers allow international students to start working once the application is filed although the number has not been assigned yet. Some employers do not allow this, so you must speak to your employer to find out their policy on SSNs.
Students do not need a SSN to register for classes at LTU, get a driver’s license in Michigan or open a bank account. However, landlords and utility, cable and cell phone companies may request a SSN to do a credit check to determine the amount of deposit they will require to secure housing or to activate services. Students without a SSN may be required to pay a higher deposit payment prior to receiving service.
Please remember that the Office of International Programs cannot issue a SSN or apply for the SSN on your behalf.
If you are a new international student at LTU you can register at the end of orientation week, once you check in. If you are a current student, then you can register during the regular period based on your academic level.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours; graduate students must be enrolled in 9 credit hours. Full time enrollment for doctoral programs varies by degree
International students are required to be enrolled full time in the fall & spring semesters. Full time enrollment is not required in the summer unless it is your first or last semester.
Yes, please complete and submit a Reduced Course Load Request form.
You should talk to your academic advisor regarding the academic impact of dropping a course, but you should NEVER drop a course without talking to an International Advisor to ensure it will not negatively impact your status.
No, unless it is your first or last semester at LTU. You can be enrolled in the summer if you wish.
Yes, but you cannot exceed the distance education limits outlined here.
International students are required to be enrolled full time in the fall & spring semesters. If you cannot attend classes for any reason during this time, you must meet with an International Advisor to be advised on the procedure.
OIP also recommends you print a copy of your class schedule as additional proof of enrollment while traveling.
If you are employed on OPT, then yes it is possible to travel abroad with proper documents. The OIP also recommends you travel with a letter from your employer stating you are traveling but will return to your position upon re-entering the U.S. If you are not employed while on OPT, the OIP does not recommend traveling abroad.
Yes, your dependent(s) can travel alone as long as they have proper travel documents.
The travel signature is located on page three of your I-20, or the first page of your DS20-19. Travel signatures are good for one year.
Yes, you can. The purpose of your visa is to get you into the U.S.
You cannot renew your visa in the U.S. as there is no need. You should renew your visa next time you travel to your home country. We do not recommend travelling to Canada to renew your visa.
You can depart the U.S. with an expired visa but you cannot re-enter without a valid visa. You must renew when you travel home. If you are going to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days, you can enter the U.S. with an expired visa. These two countries are the only exceptions.
No, you must always have a passport that is valid at least six months into the future while in the U.S.
You should contact an Embassy or Consultant Office from your country for more information about this process.
Yes, the One Stop Center has a letter specifically for this reason.
Get involved in student organizations, and attend events hosted by different organizations. You can also follow us on Facebook for information on upcoming events.
Your banner ID is your unique LTU student identifying number. You will need it to make request with an office on campus. Keep your student ID with you, your banner ID is on it.
LTU has an on-campus gym called the Don Ridler Field House. It is located at the North end of campus and is free to students. You must bring your student ID in order to enter.
When emailing or leaving a phone message for an LTU department be sure to include your name, phone number and Banner ID number so you can be easily identified. Don’t forget to leave contact information so someone can return your message!
Email us at international@ltu.edu with your availability.
If you wish to operate a vehicle in Michigan, yes you need to first obtain a Michigan Driver’s License.
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