Terra Dotta Tutorials

Please review below to learn more about how to use Terra Dotta.

Terra Dotta Log In Page

How To...

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How to use User Homepage

Your User Homepage

In the Terra Dotta User Homepage, you can review your Terra Dotta activity with ISS, including immigration update requests, messages from ISS, and basic profile information.

 

Records: In this section, you can:
 View the status of your immigration record updates
 Finish a record update you started, but did not submit yet
 Review your immigration record history

Profile: In this section, you can:
 Review your basic profile information
 See who is your assigned ISS advisor
 Add a profile photo, SMS number, and cc email address (your contact information must be updated in your MyUW Student Center)

MessagesIn this section, you can:
 Read all written communication sent to and from ISS
 View the date and time the message was sent

  Search Forms by Category (On the top right-hand corner)
 Access all types of immigration record update requests available for submission

How to make appointments

How to make appointments.

1. Go to your Terra Dotta immigration portal and log in.
2. Click “House” icon the top left corner and click “Staff” in the bottom.
3. You can find your ISS advisor and click their name. To know your ISS advisor, click here.
4. Click “Requesting an appointment or information” button.
5. Briefly mention about the reason why you are making appointment in the Subject line.
6. Select an available time by clicking “Click to Request Appointment Time”
7. Please include key information in the Message box about what you wish to discuss during the appointment.
8. Click “Send” then you will receive an appointment confirmation email in your inbox.

 

How to cancel appointments with your ISS advisor

How to cancel appointments.

1. Go to your Terra Dotta immigration portal and log in.
2. Click “House” icon the top left corner and click “Staff” in the bottom.
3. Find your appointment information in the “Information Requests” section on the lower left corner of the page.
4. Find and click on the appointment you would like to cancel, then click “Cancel” button.

Please try to cancel the appointment at least 2 hours before the appointments. 

 

How to send information requests to your advisor.

How to send information requests to your advisor.

1. Go to your Terra Dotta immigration portal and log in.
2. Click “House” icon the top left corner and click “Staff” option.
3. You can find your ISS advisor and click their name. To know your ISS advisor, click here.
4. Click “Requesting an appointment or information” button, write your requests and click “send”
5. After clicking “Send,” you should receive an automatic reply.

How to access copies of your immigrations documents.

How to access copies of your immigrations documents.

1. Go to your Terra Dotta immigration portal and log in.
2. Click User homepage on the top left corner.
3. You can find and click completed record under the “Records” column.
4. You find the electronic copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 under the “Attached Documents ” section

You can also find from “Academic Objective” section:
1. After logging in to Terra Dotta, click User homepage on the top left corner.
2. You can find “Academic Objective” under the “Records” column.
(usually under the semester you started at UW-Madison.)
3. You find the electronic copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 under the “Attached Document ” section.

If you are unable to find the electronic copy of your old I-20s or other immigration documents, you can request Copies of Previous Documents in Terra Dotta. Please be aware that ISS is not required to keep all copies of your previous I-20s or DS-2019s.

How to find forms for your immigration-related requests.

How to find forms for your immigration-related requests.

1. Go to your Terra Dotta immigration portal and log in.
2. Click “Search Forms by Category”  on the top right-hand corner
3. Choose and click your current status.
4. Click the student visa category that matches your visa status.
5. You can find different e-forms from the list.

How to extend your I-20/DS-2019

How to extend your I-20/DS-2019

If you will not complete your academic program by the program end date stated on the I-20, you must apply for an extension in advance.
Read Extension of Stay: How to extend your I-20/DS-2019 first.

To apply for an extension, click Program Extension and sign-in to Terra Dotta.

Note: only medical or academic are acceptable reasons per immigration regulations. 

How to get a Travel Signature

How to get a Travel Signature

ISS is currently working remotely. All requests for a travel signature must be done through an I-20/DS-2019 reprint request in Terra Dotta.

Steps:
1. For current F-1 students, choose “I-20 Reprint Request” on Terra Dotta
For current J-1 students, choose “DS-2019 Reprint Request” on Terra Dotta
2. Login with NetID username and password
3. After you begin, upload the Current Unofficial Transcript from your Student Center.
4. Complete the “Document Mailing Information” and “I-20 Reprint Request Form” under Questionnaire.
–> When completing I-20 Reprint Request Form, choose “Other” for #3, and explain “Travel Signature Request” for #4.
–> If you are traveling with your dependents, please choose “Yes” for #5 (F-2 or J-2 dependent should travel with the same documents)
5. Click “Submit” on the top.

Please plan ahead. ISS may take approximately 15 business days to issue a new I-20 or DS-2019. Our current processing times are updated on our contact page.
Global travel advisories and restrictions change frequently. Check U.S. Centers for Disease Control global travel advisories and your airline for updates. You must carry your important travel documents.

How to Find you ISS Advisor

Terra Dotta Frequently Asked Questions

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Where can I find Terra Dotta?

Add the Terra Dotta widget to your MyUW homepage for easy and secure access, or use the direct link terradotta.wisc.edu/. (Students who graduate may no longer have access to the MyUW widget and instead will need to access Terra Dotta through the direct link.)

What is the difference between Appointments and Information Requests?

Information requests are the email messaging system for ISS. You can submit an information request to your assigned ISS advisor. This does not require choosing a date and time. We typically answer information requests in 3-5 business days. Follow-up questions require a new information request. Use information requests especially if you prefer written response to your questions.

Appointments are for more complicated immigration advising questions. They are scheduled in 20-minute increments. All appointments will be done through Zoom unless otherwise specified by your ISS advisor. Once you request an appointment time, the ISS advisor will follow up with a Zoom link for the appointment. Please make an appointment with your assigned ISS advisor in Terra Dotta! Appointments are open 1-2 weeks in advance. Please note that appointments are not for status update questions. If your appointment request is to check on the status of an application, your appointment request may be canceled.

Why do I see information requests as "Replied" when I do not see any reply message?

You may get confused if you receive a notification from ISS that your information request has been “Replied” to by a staff member, but you did not actually receive a reply message. When ISS advisors and peer advisors process your requests or answer another way, they may mark your information request as “Replied.”

Common Scenarios:

  • If you come to virtual drop-in advising and get your question answered during a conversation with an ISS advisor, we may mark your information request it as “Replied.”
  • If you send duplicate requests to one or multiple advisors, all the duplicates will be marked as “Replied.”
  • If you are requesting a status update and your application is processed, we may mark your information as “Replied”.

What is the status of my Terra Dotta application and when will it be processed?

Due to the high volume of applications, ISS staff are not able to update you on the status of your application. Processing time for all new student requests is approximately 20 business days. Processing time for continuing student requests (I-20 Reprints, CPT, Program Extension, OPT, etc.) is approximately 15 business days. If your application status is “Submitted – Under Review” or “Submitted – Under Review by Assigned ISS Advisor” your application is in our queue for processing. Any applications with status “Pending” are not in our queue for processing. You will receive an email once your request is processed, or if ISS staff require more information. If processing time exceeds 15 business days, please contact your assigned ISS advisor by sending an information request in Terra Dotta.