Spring 2021 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
Interactive Map of U.S. Employers who Sponsor International Students and Scholars

The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and the International Faculty & Scholars Office (IFSO) is proud to announce two new innovative tools to support international students and scholars: 

  1. Interactive Alumni Employment Map that shows the U.S. employers who sponsored UC San Diego international students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), Academic Training and STEM OPT in 2020. 
  2. Interactive H-1B Employer map that indicates ALL the U.S. companies who sponsored individuals for professional employment in 2020. 

The interactive maps include company name and address information. It is designed to be helpful tools for international students and scholars in their job and internship search process.  
OPT and STEM OPT Information
Trusted/ Credible Sites for USCIS Updates and Case Status
 
As a reminder, the primary way to track your OPT application status is through USCIS. There are two ways you can check your status: 
 
  1. Go to uscis.gov, and click on "check your case status" under "manage your case." 
  2. Create a USCIS online account to check your status and receive notifications through your account. 
 
For either option, you will need your receipt number to look up your case.
Mental Health Links for Referrals Post Graduation
 
ISPO has compiled a list of mental health support resources for post graduation students who can no longer access UC San Diego resources:
 
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. 

I've Applied for OPT! Now What?  
 
Congratulations, you have completed OPT Stages 1 and 2! You are now in Stage 3 and we encourage you to review the information on our OPT Stage 3 website. If you receive any documentation aside from what is listed in Step 1, feel free to contact us at iEmployment@ucsd.edu. And now, good luck with your job search! 
USCIS Flexibilities for OPT Applicants Affected by USCIS Receipt Notice Delays: For Applications Delivered Between 10/1/20-5/1/21   
 
On February 26, 2021, USCIS announced flexibilities to certain OPT applications successfully delivered to them between October 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021. These flexibilities are intended to assist students affected by USCIS' delayed receipt notices during this busy time. For the complete announcement, click here. If you have any questions, please contact us through iEmployment@ucsd.edu or Zoom Advising for Current and Former students.  
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.  

  • 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.  
Upcoming Webinars and Events
Webinar:
Resources for Job-Searching (CPT, OPT and Beyond) 

Wednesday, April 21:
3 PM to 4 PM PDT
Learn about all the resources available to you in your job search as an international student! Get advice on important topics like how to answer questions related to work authorization and sponsorship, what types of employers are likely to hire international students and more! 
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. 
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