Fall 2020 | Week 9 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
Travelling Internationally for Winter Break?
  • If you are planning to travel internationally this winter break, please consider the following factors when planning your departure from or arrival to UC San Diego:
#1: Visa 
Do you have a valid F-1 or J-1 Student Visa to enter the U.S.? If not, do you have a visa interview appointment scheduled in time to arrive by the start of Winter 2021 term? 

Many U.S. embassies and consulates have suspended routine visa services due to continued health and safety concerns. If you still intend to schedule a visa interview at an embassy/consulate with suspended or limited services, you may be eligible for an emergency appointment. Visit travel.state.gov to learn more. You can also review the expected Visa Appointment Wait Times to assist with advanced planning.

NOTE: International Students can download a Travel Support Letter in iPortal to assist in booking an appointment for a visa interview or upon entry into the U.S. Log into iPortal and access the Travel Support Letter under the Notifications section of the homepage. 
#2: Travel Restrictions 
Are there travel restrictions or bans in place for travelers from your home country? 

Review the Travel Advisories for your intended destination (including stop-overs and final destinations). Current U.S. COVID-related and employment-related travel restrictions are still in effect for individuals from certain countries.
#3: Flight Availability
Are you able to book a flight to your final destination so you can arrive by the start of the Winter 2021 term? 

Check with your local airline carrier for flight availability. Some airlines may have limited flight availability or may change their schedule with little notice. The International Air Transportation Association maintains a travel page for each country and provides information on passenger requirements.
#4: Housing Availability
Do you have housing accommodations for Winter 2021? 

Prior to arrival to the U.S., ensure that you have finalized housing accommodations. Visit hdh.ucsd.edu for more information.
#5: Quarantine or Sequestration Requirements 
Are you able to adhere to campus requirements or travel guidelines to self-isolate upon arrival? 

At this time, students arriving to campus are not required to quarantine. However, individuals coming from out-of-state and international locations will be required to sequester and conduct additional testing. UC San Diego updated campus requirements and recommendations to include masking for campus residents and visitors as well as sequestration following unmasked off-campus activity. Campus requirements are subject to change in response to any updated State of California and San Diego County of Public Health recommendations. Visit the Housing website for additional information. 
  • The COVID19 results for testing done at the Price Center now have all the documented components required for travelers so the students can utilize any tests done at the Price Center for travel. There is a 15$ cost to write these letters.   
  • Though any student studying remotely for the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters are exempt from the flu vaccine, the flu vaccine is recommended prior to return to campus.  

Continue to monitor the Return to Learn site for the latest updates. .
#6: UC San Diego's Operational Plan for Winter 2021 
What is UC San Diego's operational plan for Winter 2021? 
  
In the Winter 2021 quarter, UC San Diego's current operational plan includes in-person, remote, and hybrid modalities of instruction. The campus continues to prioritize the health and safety of our Triton community. In the event that UC San Diego, in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, transitions to offer all remote courses, this may impact a student's ability to enroll or seek entry into the United States. Continue to monitor the Return to Learn site for the latest updates. 
#7: Course Enrollment Requirements 
Are you registered for coursework for Winter 2021? Are you required to enroll in a hybrid or in-person course to enter the U.S.?  
 
  • Fall 2020 New Admits planning to enter the U.S. for the first time to pursue their program in-person in Winter 2021 and have a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 from UC San Diego with a January 4, 2021 start date: The latest Student & Exchange Visitor Program Guidance released on August 7, 2020, only outlined procedures for the current Fall 2020. Guidance for Winter 2021 is still pending and may result in changes to the requirements for international students to seek entry and study in the U.S. In the absence of guidance, ISPO continues to issue immigration documents such as Form I-20 or DS-2019 to facilitate visa applications and travel to the U.S. We also continue to advise students that they may encounter difficulty seeking entry into the U.S. if they are enrolled in a fully remote course load for Winter 2021. Review the Winter 2021 Schedule of Classes FAQ or contact your academic advisors or graduate coordinators if you need help securing an in-person course to enter the U.S.
  • Continuing students: The latest Student & Exchange Visitor Program Guidance released on August 7, 2020, only outlined procedures for the current Fall 2020. Guidance for Winter 2021 is still pending and may result in changes to the requirements for international students. In the absence of guidance, ISPO continues to advise students who already hold an Active SEVIS record to continue to enroll full-time and may enroll in a fully-remote course load. This information is subject to change, pending any future guidance from the Student & Exchange Visitor Program.  
#8: Valid I-20 or DS-2019 Document 
Do you have a Valid Form I-20 or DS-2019? 

  • Fall 2020 New Admits planning to enter the U.S. for the first time to pursue their program in-person in Winter 2021 must have a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 from UC San Diego with a January 4, 2021 start date. Check your document now. If you do not have the appropriate I-20 or DS-2019, please request your document via iPortal immediately. If you need an adjusted start date on your I-20 or DS-2019, please login to iPortal immediately to submit a NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 Amendment/Reprint Request. Our office will be closed from December 24, 2020 to January 3, 2021 so contact us as soon as possible. 
  • Continuing students who already hold an Active SEVIS record should ensure their program end date listed on their Form I-20 is accurate and reflects a program end date after their planned date of re-entry into the U.S. Apply for a I-20 Program Extension if you need more time to complete your program.  
#9: Delayed Arrivals to the U.S. in Winter 2021
If you face travel delays or are unable to arrive to the U.S. in Winter 2021 as planned, what should you be aware of?  

Students who plan to enter the U.S. for Winter should continue to make contingencies if they are unable to return and must remain outside of the U.S. for an extended period. Travel restrictions, campus requirements, and Form I-20/DS-2019 issuance are subject to change in response to any updated Federal, State of California, and San Diego County of Public Health recommendations.  
  • On-Campus Employment or Research: Check-in with your hiring department on how remaining outside of the U.S. will impact on-campus employment for Wi21. Graduate students - see the Employment for Graduate Students: below for more information.  
  • OFAC Sanctions: Under federal export control law, online courses to an individual in a country subject to comprehensive sanctions, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea region of Ukraine, is an export of regulated services that may require a license. Students located in these countries are not permitted to take online coursework. Reach out to ISPO for more information.
Remote On-Campus Employment for Graduate Students
At this time, UC San Diego students who are enrolled for Winter 2021 and hold an active SEVIS record are eligible to work remotely through On-Campus Employment. However, for students outside the U.S. who do not yet have an active SEVIS record, remote employment overseas may have additional considerations such as local labor and payroll laws, tax implications, and more. Although the SEVP Regulations in place at this time allow for remote on-campus employment, the logistics of employment must be discussed directly with your hiring department. If you are currently outside of the U.S. for Winter 2021 or plan to travel over Winter break and may experience delays in returning to the U.S. for Winter 2021, please reach out to your hiring department to see how this may impact any on-campus employment opportunities you are pursing.
Address Update Requirements
 
Is Your Address Updated in TritonLink? Due to the University offering remote coursework during the COVID-19 pandemic, many international students may reside abroad while enrolled in remote coursework. Follow these instructions to update/report your addresses in TritonLink: 
  • If you are residing outside of the U.S., make sure to enter your residential international address in the Current Address field.
  • Due to the zip/postal code field character limitations in the Current Address field, enter your postal code per the Registrar's foreign address instructions.
  • Once you have entered the U.S., update the Current Address field with your residential U.S. address.
  • You are required to update your address in TritonLink within 10 days of any move. The Permanent Address field should remain your residential address in your home country.

Winter Break Travel: If you will be traveling for a few weeks over the Winter Break, you do not need to report a temporary address change.
Is Winter 2021 Your Final Quarter at UC San Diego?
Are you preparing for your final quarter at UC San Diego? If so, review the following information: 
  • Reduced Course Load for Final Quarter:  If you have less than 12 units left to graduate, ensure that you apply for a Final Quarter Reduced Course Load in iPortal as soon as possible. You may also be eligible for tuition reduction through the Part-Time or Half Time Status forms.  
  • Applying for OPT: Students who are graduating in the Winter 2021 Quarter may be eligible to apply for post-completion work authorization. Learn more at opt.ucsd.edu. As a reminder, F-1 students graduating in Winter term may submit their OPT I-20 request to ISPO no earlier than December 10, 2020. The earliest USCIS can receive OPT applications for Winter 2021 graduates is December 20, 2021. Remember, students must be physically present in the U.S. at the time of applying for OPT.  

Learn more about preparing for your final quarter at UC San Diego!  
Stay Connected with Fellow Tritons | iPrograms and iEvents
Sign up for these programs happening now! Stay connected with ISPO and other Tritons by taking a look at our events calendar at iEvents.ucsd.edu
Winter Break Connection Program
Sign Up by Friday, December 11

Due to the popularity in the Fall Break Connection Program, this year we will also be matching students who would like to connect with other students over the winter break! We will match each student with two other students for a total of three students (in the spirit of Three's Company at UC San Diego). We hope that by connecting students, it might make the break feel a little less lonely and help us feel a little more together.
English-in-Action Conversation Program

Join the English-in-Action (EIA) conversation program to help you improve your conversational English language skills and exchange cultures with your conversation partner. After you fill out an application, you will be matched with a native English speaker to meet weekly. Volunteers are UCSD students, staff and community members. For more information, email eia@ucsd.edu.

iThrive: End of Quarter Celebration
Wednesday, December 9 at 7 PM PST

iThrive is a series that provides students with an opportunity to explore identity and culture through group discussions, activities and presentations. This series will also highlight resources on campus that support cross-cultural exchange and communication. Through cultural and identity exploration, we can THRIVE.

As we continue to shift our services to accommodate the needs of our students, this schedule may fluctuate and is subject to change. ISPO's most current advising hours can be found at iContact.ucsd.edu. 
Virtual Zoom Walk-in Advising 
ISPO has expanded virtual advising hours to accommodate different time zones for the fall quarter. See the exact advising times/hours on our website.
Online Contact Form
Send ISPO an email through our Online Contact Form. These inquiries are directed to specific advisors depending on nature of the request.
Download the Official UC San Diego Mobile App!
GET THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FROM ISPO AND UC SAN DIEGO ON THE APP! ISPO Alerts--a new tool for receiving important updates for international students--will be available later this Fall term so don't miss out!  Available for iPhone and Android. Visit mobile.ucsd.edu for more information on how to download the app.
International Students & Programs Office | iStudents.ucsd.edu
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? All international students studying at UC San Diego are automatically subscribed to the iStudents Newsletter to ensure they receive proper immigration updates from our office. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iStudents.ucsd.edu, or may direct students to other external resources. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by emailing istudents@ucsd.edu. Note, all international students at UC San Diego are responsible for staying up to date with immigration regulations that may affect them. To learn more, visit our website at iStudents.ucsd.edu