February 2022 | Updates for Alumni and Students on Post-Completion Training

New ISPO Dashboards

Check Out Who's Hiring UC San Diego International Graduates Explore Which Companies Are Sponsoring H-1Bs

Travel Reminders

If you are considering international travel, learn what you need in order to return to the U.S.:    Travel Restrictions: Review the latest CDC Travel Notices for travel to countries outside the U.S., as guidance is changing frequently.  Health Requirements: Review COVID-19 vaccination requirement information for air travel and land border travel into the U.S.  Documents Required to Re-enter the U.S.: Ensure you have a valid travel signature on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, a valid passport, and valid F-1 or J-1 Visa when re-entering the U.S. For a full list of recommended documents, visit ISPO's iTravel.ucsd.edu website. Emergency Travel Contacts: Download the International Student & Scholar Emergency Contact Card in case of travel or health emergencies.

Online Workshops

OPT and Beyond: Navigating the U.S. Immigration System Tuesday, February 8, 2022 | 12 PM PST   Sponsored by the International Faculty and Scholars Office (IFSO) and international Students and Programs Office (ISPO).    Student and scholar advisors and David Ware, an immigration attorney with Ware Immigration presented information related to OPT, STEM OPT, and changing to H-1B.

ACCESS THE RECORDING HERE

IFSO Tax Workshops Federal Tax Workshop | March 16, 12 - 2 PM  Details and RSVP here   State Tax Workshop | March 17, 12 - 2:30 PM     Details and RSVP here Federal & State tax workshops are sequential | Tax Resources

F-1/J-1 OPT and Academic Training (AT) Reporting Requirements Reminders

STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements (Validation Reports)   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.   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.   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. 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.

Are you a J-1 student on post-degree completion Academic Training? Make sure to complete the following checklist to maintain your status.    Verify your employment within 30 days of your start date. Maintain adequate health insurance. Report any changes in employment within 10 business days Submit your J-1 Post-Academic Training Reporting Form to ISPO upon completion of your employment

International Students & Programs Office | iStudents.ucsd.edu

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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