Winter 2021 | Week 1 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego |
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Deadlines, Reminders & Updates |
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Recently Arrived to the U.S.? Complete Your Document Check In!
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Students Arriving to the U.S. for the first time using an I-20/DS-2019 from UC San Diego: If you began your program remotely for Fall 2020 and have just entered the U.S., please log into iPortal and submit the CHECK IN FOR I-20/DS-2019 ACTIVATION. Failure to submit this form by February 3, 2021 may result in problems with your immigration status. In addition to submitting the Check-In Form, also perform a document self-check. Learn more at iTravel.ucsd.edu.
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Students Returning to the U.S.: Did you recently travel back to the U.S.? Ensure that your documents are in order by doing a document self-check. Visit iTravel.ucsd.edu
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Full-Time Enrollment Requirements
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International students are required to enroll full-time (12 units) each academic quarter at UC San Diego to maintain their student Status. Ensure that you are enrolled in 12 units by the end of the Add/Drop Deadline, Friday, January 15, 2021 as listed on the Academic and Enrollment Calendar.
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Thinking of taking less than 12 units? Students who are unable to maintain 12 units of enrollment due to medical reasons, academic reasons, or if they are in their final quarter should apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) in the iPortal prior to dropping below 12 units. Contact an ISPO Advisor to learn more if you are thinking about applying for a Reduced Course Load.
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Triton Alert System - Stay Updated!
If you are located in the U.S., learn how the Triton Alert emergency notification system works: The UC San Diego Triton Alert emergency notification system uses a phone and email notification system to keep the campus community updated in emergency situations. These communications are carried out through the use of e-mail and SMS (text messaging).
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Searching for Employment On or Off Campus? Contact the Career Center Coaching Staff!
The Career Center coaching staff is available for virtual and limited in-person advising during Winter quarter! It’s never too early to talk with a career advisor. Get ideas, insight, and inspiration about how your field of study, experiences, and your network can set you up for success. International students can meet with the dedicated international career coach, Karen Doescher, to get personalized support. Schedule a 30-minute session via Handshake. Have a quick question? Need help with scheduling an appointment that fits your schedule? Email kadoescher@ucsd.edu.
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Continued SEVP/DOS Guidance for the Winter Quarter and UC San Diego Operational Plans
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Department of State (DOS) have not yet released official guidance on F-1 and J-1 status requirements for the winter and spring quarters. In the absence of official federal guidance for the winter and spring quarters, ISPO will continue to advise students based on the latest guidelines for F-1 and J-1 visa restrictions and exemptions released in March, 2020. We anticipate that SEVP will release information for the winter and spring quarters in the next few weeks. Please continue to check the ISPO COVID-19 Updates for International Students regularly for updates.
Per the UC San Diego Return to Learn and Winter Operations Update on December 11, 2020 and under current public health guidance, UC San Diego will continue to offer courses through various methods of instruction encompassed in the university’s hybrid model approach. UC San Diego’s operational plan includes in-person, remote and hybrid modalities of instruction. Any plans that UC San Diego makes for the winter quarter are subject to change pending public health guidance.
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Presidential Proclamation to Suspend Entry of Immigrants/ Nonimmigrants Extended
On December 31, 2020, the President extended the earlier proclamation which prohibits the issuance of immigrant and certain nonimmigrant (including H-1B) visa stamps to those outside of the U.S. and without valid visa stamps in the affected classifications as of the effective date of the initial proclamation. The current extension runs through March 31, 2021; detailed information is in the full text of the proclamation. This only affects persons currently outside of the U.S. without valid H-1B visa stamps; departments can still sponsor persons for H-1B status who are currently inside the U.S. or had valid H-1B visa stamps as of June 24, 2020.
Please note that while this proclamation is in effect until the end of March, this situation may change after the inauguration of President-Elect Biden on January 20, 2021. For changes and other information, please visit ISPO's Immigration Policy Updates Page.
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Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services at U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
The resumption of routine visa services will occur on a post-by-post basis, consistent with the Department’s guidance for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities. U.S. Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since March 2020 and will continue to do so as they are able. As post-specific conditions improve, our missions will begin providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.
Visit the website of your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to find out specifics on resuming visa services. For more information and FAQs, click HERE.
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Visa Interview Eligibility Waiver Expanded
The State Department and Department of Homeland Security temporarily expanded the ability of officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for nonimmigrant visas in the same classification. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 12 months were eligible for an interview waiver. This has been temporarily extended the expiration period to 24 months until March 31, 2021 at the earliest. Visa applicants are encouraged to review the website of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for detailed information on what services are currently available as well as eligibility information and instructions on applying for a visa without an interview.
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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
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Let's Talk- New Program!
Mondays 3:30-4:30 PM PST
Let’s Talk meetings with Dr. Rina Schul (CAPS/ISPO Liaison) are for international students who are seeking informal support with general wellness issues such as stress, adjustment, cross-cultural challenges, motivation, focus, and relationships. Let’s Talk sessions are one-on-one, and are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support. They are available to ALL international students regardless of where they reside.
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International Grad Student Social
Thursday, January 14 at 7 PM PST
ISPO welcomes all students that are joining us for the first time or continuing studies this Winter Quarter of 2021! This social will be an opportunity to meet fellow students and learn about expectations and experience coming to UC San Diego or taking classes remotely. It is also a chance for students to share their experiences and perspectives regarding the path they are initiating as international graduate students at UC San Diego amidst COVID-19 situation.
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ISPO Chats!
Friday, January 8 at 8 AM PST
Think of ISPO Chats as your monthly office hour with the ISPO Leadership team. ISPO deeply values the student voice and we want to hear from you. What is affecting you as an international student at UC San Diego? What would you like to learn more about? Do you have questions about policy updates, current events, etc? ISPO Chats is an informal time for you to share about your experience as an international student at UC San Diego as well as questions to ISPO staff. We hope that by hosting these monthly office hours, we can hear your concerns, advocate on your behalf and invest in our international student community.
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Changemaker Week 2021
January 16-23
Changemaker Week is a change for UC San Diego students to discover how to create positive social change through public and community service, research, social innovation, social entrepreneurship, social justice, and more. Celebrate Triton Changemakers and get inspired to enact change!
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Winter Student Services and Academic Support Fair
Tuesday, January 12 at 12 PM PST &
Thursday, January 14 at 3 PM PST
More than 60 Departments will be available to answer questions about all the services and resources available to you as a UC San Diego student. There will be two "live" presentations and plenty of time to browse different "booths" at your leisure.
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Regional Meet-Ups In 2021! |
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Why wait until coming to campus to connect with fellow Tritons? ISPO and the International Peer Coaches are facilitating virtual and in-person meet-ups in different regions around the world! Head to the iEvents calendar for regions, dates and times!
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Above: Photo from a December 2020 meet-up with Professor Nancy Guy (Music), Professor Charles Tu (Electrical & Computer Engineering), and current UC San Diego students in Taipei, Taiwan."
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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.
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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.
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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 at any time from receiving updates from our office. 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
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