January 2023 | Updates for Alumni and Students on Post-Completion Training | |
CDC Announces Negative COVID-19 Test Requirements for Air Passengers Entering the U.S. from the People's Republic of China | | |
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On 12/28/2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Press Release announcing requirements for a negative COVID test (PCR or antigen) within two days prior to departure for all air passengers two years or older entering the U.S. from mainland China (including Hong Kong and Macau) or documentation of recovery from COVID. The restriction also applies to passengers from the People's Republic of China via third country transit and goes into effect at 12:01 Eastern Standard Time on January 5th, 2023. This requirement may negatively impact the ability of new or returning UC San Diego students and scholars traveling from the PRC to arrive on campus.
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New Admits: For newly admitted students unable to arrive by your program start date, work with the International Students and Programs Office (ISPO) to amend your program start date or download a travel support letter as needed.
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Continuing Students: For continuing students unable to arrive for or return to their studies:
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Undergraduate Students: Work with your Undergraduate College and academic department advisors regarding questions about Winter 2023 enrollment and making academic progress.
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Graduate Students: Work with your Graduate Coordinator and Faculty Advisor regarding questions about Winter 2023 enrollment, employment, and making academic progress.
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On-Campus Housing: For students living in on-campus housing, a rapid antigen test 24-48 hours before returning to campus is required. You may use the negative COVID test results (PCR or antigen) documentation required for entering the U.S. to meet this campus requirement. Then, residential students must complete a PCR test on Day 1 and Day 3 after moving in for the Winter 2023 quarter.
For more information and additional support, contact ISPO or meet with an International Student Advisor.
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Are you getting ready to apply for STEM OPT Extension? To help you through the application process, ISPO has broken down the process into 4 stages:
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Stage 1: Requesting STEM OPT I-20
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Make sure you check out our 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.
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What if you get laid off while on OPT? | | |
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During post-completion OPT, students may not exceed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment during the post-completion OPT period. During the STEM OPT Extension, students cannot exceed a cumulative total of 150 days of unemployment. While on STEM OPT Extension unemployment days are cumulative between both your initial 12-month OPT and your STEM OPT. For example, if you used 30 days of unemployment during your initial 12-month OPT, you would have a balance of 120 unemployment days left during your STEM OPT Extension period. Students who exceed 90 days of unemployment are in violation of their F-1 visa status.
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For assistance in finding positions or searching for jobs be sure to contact UCSD Career Center career.ucsd.edu.
- If you are approaching your 90 days of unemployment, you must take one of the following actions:
- Transfer your SEVIS Record from UC San Diego to a new institution.
- Change from F-1 Status to Another Status.
- Depart the U.S. and report your departure date in iPortal.
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Avoid Employment and Tax Scams | | |
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Be aware of phone scams where callers claim to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and threaten to have a person arrested or deported for owing taxes. Don’t be tricked. Even if you do owe taxes, the IRS will never:
- Call and demand immediate payment over the phone;
- Demand payment with a prepaid debit card, or ask for your credit card or debit card number over the phone; or
- Threaten to call the police or immigration authorities.
- If you get a call like this, report it online to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration or call 800-366-4484. Also, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
For more information to avoid and report tax scams see the Safety and Legal Resources Page.
Be aware of fraudulent job/internship postings. Recruiters and hiring contacts should not ask for money (checks, cash, wire transfers, etc.) when considering you for a job/internship opportunity. Nor should they ask for personal information such as login information and passwords, your mailing address, and/or social security number.
- Job seekers are often targets for scammers to attempt to threaten or scare potential victims into providing them with cash or personal, protected information, which is then used to withdraw money from bank accounts or for other illegal activity.
- Do an internet search of the company/business website and/or LinkedIn profile, is it professional and up-to-date?
- Also look for the name of the recruiter/hiring contact on LinkedIn to confirm they are associated with the company they are hiring for (especially if they are not using a company/business email address)
- Watch for signs of unprofessionalism.
For more information about tips to avoid employment scams see the Safety and Legal Resources Page.
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Stay in Touch with ISPO Via LinkedIn! | | |
ISPO is now on LinkedIn! This is great and easy way to stay connected to the international community at UC San Diego, receive important information and updates, and contact ISPO as you start on your professional journey! | |
F-1/J-1 OPT and Academic Training (AT)
Reporting Requirements Reminders
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STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements (Validation Reports)
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For changes to your personal address or phone number, use the SEVP Portal.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been scrutinizing the F-1 OPT program for fraudulent employers and fraudulent use of the program through a DHS law enforcement operation called, Operation Optical Illusion. Review the types of employment that may be reported for OPT purposes. If you are unpaid or volunteering, review information here for what qualifies as volunteering or unpaid.
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Reporting Reminders for Students on Standard 12-Month OPT
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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.
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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.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been scrutinizing the F-1 OPT program for fraudulent employers and fraudulent use of the program through a DHS law enforcement operation called, Operation Optical Illusion. Review the types of employment that may be reported for OPT purposes. If you are unpaid or volunteering, review information here for what qualifies as volunteering or unpaid. Contact iemployment@ucsd.edu with any concerns or questions.
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J-1 Academic Training (AT) Reporting Reminders | | |
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Are you a J-1 student on post-degree completion Academic Training? Make sure to complete the following checklist to maintain your status.
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UC San Diego Career Center and
Career Advisors for International Students
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The Career Center can coach you on how to find that ideal job, internship, or experiential outcome. Boost your skillset and become better prepared now.
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Need Additional Assistance? | | |
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Check out all the additional ways you can access ISPO advising services!
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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 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
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