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

How To...
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
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)
Messages: In 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.
Click and watch the below video for detailed instruction.
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 under the “Attached Document ” section
You can also find from “Academic Objective” section:
1. After logging in to Terra Dotta, click User homepage on the top left corner.
3. You can find “Academic Objective” under the “Records” column.
(usually under the semester you started at UW-Madison.)
4. You find the electronic copy of your I-20 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 send an information request to your assigned advisor in Terra Dotta. Please be aware that ISS is not required to keep all copies of your previous I-20s.
Click and watch the below video for detailed instruction.
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.
Click and watch the below video for detailed instruction.
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.
Terra Dotta Frequently Asked Questions
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
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/
What is the difference between Appointments and Information Requests?
You can submit an information request (think of it as an email) to your assigned ISS advisor. This does not require choosing a date and time. The message will be reviewed by a graduate student peer advisor and more complicated questions are routed to your ISS advisor. We typically answer information requests in 1-3 business days. Follow-up questions require a new information request.
Appointments are for more complicated immigration advising questions. All appointments will be done through Zoom. ISS staff or peer advising staff 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 two weeks in advance.
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.”