Winter 2021 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
Your OPT and STEM OPT Application
2/23 Tuesday: iPortal System Maintenance
 
iPortal will be down on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 between 9 AM and 2 PM PST for system updates and maintenance. If you continue to experience technical issues outside of these hours, please contact iPortal@ucsd.edu.  
Your STEM OPT Application: ISPO's Form I-983 Guide!  
 
Are you getting ready to apply for STEM OPT Extension? To help you through the application process, ISPO created a comprehensive I-983 Guide! Be prepared by reviewing the Form I-983, ISPO's guide, and ensure you and your employer fill out this required document accurately. For more information on the STEM OPT Application process, view stemopt.ucsd.edu. View the guide here!
Filing Multiple OPT Applications and OPT Receipt Notice Delays  

If you included a G-1145 with your I-765 application to USCIS, and do not receive the text message or email within a few days of USCIS receiving your application, it is most likely due to delays by USCIS. USCIS made an announcement (please note OPT applications cannot be filed online) acknowledging the delays. Some things to double check, regardless of whether you included a G-1145 or not, are: 
 
  • Did you send the most recent I-765 from the USCIS website? Did you sign it in black ink within 30 days of when USCIS received your application? 
  • Did you include the correct fee of $410 made payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security? If so did you confirm if the fee was deposited? Was the check or money order dated within 30 days of when USCIS received your application? 
  • Did you track the delivery of your application? Did you confirm it was delivered? 
  • Did you sign your I-20? If you are applying for the initial 12 months of OPT, was it issued within less than 30 days from when USCIS received your application? If you are applying for the STEM OPT Extension, was it issued within less than 60 days from when USCIS received your application? 
  • For the initial 12 months of OPT, did USCIS receive your application no earlier than 90 days prior to your I-20 end date and no more than 60 days after? 
  • For the STEM OPT Extension, did USCIS receive your application no earlier than 90 days prior to your EAD end date and no later than the EAD expiration date? 

If you have not received a receipt notice within 4 weeks of when USCIS received your application, contact USCIS. However, ISPO does not recommend sending in a duplicate application in most cases. If you are concerned about any of the above, email iemployment@ucsd.edu.  
Check Your EAD Cards: Is the information correct?  
 
Once your OPT Application is approved by USCIS, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document, also known as your EAD Card. Once you receive it, double check that the information is correct on the card. If there are any errors in the spelling of your name, dates of authorization, or any other information listed, contact ISPO right away. You may need to request a replacement card from USCIS. For more information see Stage 3: Maintaining F-1 OPT Status (ucsd.edu). Failure to correct these errors early in your OPT period may cause potential issues with your immigration status.  
OPT Reporting Requirements Reminders
STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements (Validation Reports)
 
NOTE: Recently SEVP Portal is still showing "Due" or "Past Due" for student STEM validation reports even after ISPO submitted the report. If you notice this, you may contact ISPO at iemployment@ucsd.edu to verify your report was submitted.   

  • For changes to your personal address or phone number, use the SEVP Portal. 

  • For changes to your employment information, use the Updated I-20/DS-2019 Request at iportal.ucsd.edu, and an ISPO advisor will update your record for you.   

  • To fulfill your validation report requirement that is due every 6 months while on STEM OPT, use the F-1 STEM OPT Reporting Form at iportal.ucsd.edu, and an ISPO advisor will validate your record for you. The F-1 STEM OPT Reporting form must be submitted within 10 days of the validation report due date.  

  • If you experience a change in your employment information at the same time that you have a validation report due, then you must submit BOTH the Updated I-20/DS-2019 Request and the F-1 STEM OPT Reporting Form on iPortal.  
Reporting Reminders for Students on Standard 12-Month OPT
 
Keep employment, personal address, and phone number up to date at all times using the  SEVP Portal . If you experience a change in any of these areas, log into the SEVP Portal to update your information within 10 calendar days of the change. You do not need to report these changes to ISPO, only to the SEVP Portal. If you are unable to report your employment to the SEVP Portal, submit the SEVP Portal Assistance Request at iportal.ucsd.edu.
 
If you are unable to add an employer within 10 calendar days of the start date, enter the next day as your employment start date in the SEVP Portal. Then submit the iPortal, “SEVP Portal Assistance Request”. ISPO will then be able to enter your correct employment start date in SEVIS and it will reflect in your SEVP Portal within 48 hours.

If you would like your I-20 to reflect your changes, request an updated I-20 from ISPO by submitting the Updated I-20/DS-2019 Request at iportal.ucsd.edu.
Resources, Events, and Regulatory Updates
Webinar:
Hot Topics in Immigration with Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP Immigration Attorneys 

Friday, 2/19:
12PM to 1:30 PM PST
Sponsored by the International Faculty and Scholars Office (IFSO) and International Students and Programs Office (ISPO). Join us in a discussion of current topics in the area of immigration, including the current status of travel bans, proposed changes to H-1B (cap, prevailing wages, specialty occupation), public charge, duration of status, STEM OPT program, and Biden’s immigration plan.  
Webinar:
OPT and Beyond: Navigating the U.S. Immigration System

Tuesday 2/23:
12PM to 1:30 PM PST
Sponsored by the International Faculty and Scholars Office (IFSO) and International Students and Programs Office (ISPO). Join student and scholar advisors and Claudia Martorell, an immigration attorney with Larrabee Albi Coker LLP for information related to OPT, STEM OPT, changing to H-1B. 
Workshop:
Get Ready for the Job Search with Master’s Career Week 

Monday, 2/22 -Thursday ,2/25
Sponsored by the Career Center at UC San Diego: The grAdvantage Master’s Career Week starts next week and will provide workshops and events with alumni and employers to help you prepare for the job search. The events are designed for master’s students and recent master’s alumni but are open to all grad students and postdocs. Registration information is below. 
Get Involved 
Do you want to connect with other alumni or engage with UC San Diego after graduation? Check out the UC San Diego Alumni website for upcoming virtual events, joining an alumni club or group in your region or city, accessing career resources, signing up for an Alumni Email for Life, and more. 
Filing U.S. Tax Forms for 2020 
 
The 2020 tax season has arrived; here is some important information for those who were international students in 2020: 
  • If you are a J-1 Exchange Visitor or F-1 student and are a nonresident alien for federal tax purposes, then you must at least complete the Federal Form 8843. 
  • If you also have any U.S. source income from 1/1/2020 through 12/31/2020, then you must also complete a Federal Tax Return (Form 1040NR or 1040NR EZ).  
  • NB! Anyone with income from this time period, regardless of source (U.S. or foreign), may be required to file a state tax return if your income is above a certain threshold.  
 
WARNING: DO NOT USE TURBO TAX OR SIMILAR SOFTWARE TO COMPLETE YOUR TAX RETURN IF YOU ARE A NONRESIDENT ALIEN FOR FEDERAL TAX PURPOSES for 2020! 
 
  • If you are a Resident Alien for federal tax purposes, then you must complete the standard Form 1040 as any U.S. citizen would (and may use any electronic tax filing software). The tax return filing deadline is traditionally April 15, 2021. 
  • UC San Diego switched financial systems mid-year in 2020 and thus persons with payments from UC San Diego and expecting tax forms will be receiving two W-2s and/or 2 to 6 1042-S forms, reflecting payments in the two different financial systems.  
  • The university has purchased a license for Glacier Tax Prep (GTP) to help student and scholar nonresident aliens for federal tax purposes complete their federal tax returns; access to GTP will become available by March 15, 2021 and those with payments from UC San Diego in 2020 and an active Glacier record by the end of 2020 will receive an automated email with instructions for accessing GTP when it becomes available. 
 
Need More Help? Check Out These Resources: 
Regulatory Updates
 
Judge Rules STEM OPT Program Lawful 
On January 28, 2021, a U.S. district court judge issued a summary judgment order finding that the STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students) program is a valid exercise of authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This means that both the 12-month OPT and STEM OPT extension programs are lawful. Read the opinion here. 
 
DHS Delays Effective Date of H-1B Selection Final Rule 
On Jan. 7, USCIS announced the H-1B Selection final rule, which amended the regulations governing the process by which USCIS selects H-1B registrations for the filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions. 

To give USCIS more time to develop, test, and implement the modifications to the H-1B registration system and selection process, DHS is delaying the effective date of this final rule from March 9, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021. The delay will also provide more time for USCIS to train staff and perform public outreach as well as give stakeholders time to adjust to the new rule. 

For the upcoming H-1B cap season, USCIS will apply the current regulations (random selection) to any registration period that takes place before Dec. 31, 2021. Additional information on the delayed effective date is available in the Federal Register notice 
 
SEVP Announces Rescission of Implementation of New Unit, the OPT Employment Compliance Unit  
On January 26, 2021, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) rescinded Broadcast Message 2101-02: New SEVP Unit to Oversee Employment Compliance in the OPT Programs and Report on Impact on U.S. Workers, issued Jan. 13, 2021. After conducting additional reviews of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s optional practical training (OPT) compliance efforts, the program determined that it is already performing much of the work outlined in the Broadcast Message. As such, the creation of a new unit is not necessary at this time. SEVP will continue to ensure transparency into OPT data and compliance via existing communication channels at ICE.gov/SEVP and Study in the States.  
ISPO Office Hours: Virtual Advising

While ISPO's Office (Student Center B) is closed to the public for in-person services. We continue to provide all advising services through virtual Zoom advising! Visit iContact.ucsd.edu for various ways to contact an ISPO Advisor!
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