Winter 2021 | Vol 4 | Updates from the International Students & Programs Office @ UC San Diego.
Hello Campus Partners,
 
As new federal and state regulations are released to the public, ISPO strives to provide information on how these will impact current processes, international students, and campus partners. See important announcements below. Please contact ISPO and let us know how we can continue to support your efforts. 
Updates and Information
Statement of Support for the Asian/Asian American Pacific Islander Communities 

ISPO is saddened by last Monday's senseless violence in Atlanta. We are deeply concerned and condemn the ongoing violence and racist acts against our Asian/Pacific-Islander communities in the U.S. and abroad. We stand in solidarity with our Asian/Asian-American Pacific Islander communities and are here to support you. 
Graduate Student Eligibility for Summer 2021 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 

In an effort to continuously review and improve our processes, ISPO is announcing an update regarding student eligibility for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for UC San Diego international graduate students on F-1 status to pursue internships during Summer 2021. ISPO is now providing additional advising efforts and recommending support letters from departments so the student may retain for their own records in order to mitigate potential risk for our students and support their need to participate in co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities that enhances their academic experiences. 
 
For additional questions from campus partners, we invite you to join us today, Thursday, March 18th, from 2 PM – 3 PM to learn more about CPT. For student questions, please refer them directly to ISPO's webinars/workshops or Zoom advising. 
Interactive Map of U.S. Employers who Sponsor International Students and Scholars 

The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and International Faculty & Scholar Office (IFSO) are proud to announce two new innovative tools to support international students and scholars in the job and internship search process. 

  1. Interactive Alumni Employment map that shows the U.S. employers who sponsored UC San Diego international students on Curricular Practical Training (CPT), 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, address information and geographical location. Check out our new tools today! 
Pre-Arrival Season: Welcoming Fall 2020 New Admits & Arrivals to the U.S.  

While ISPO continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on travel restrictions and course offerings, we are also hopeful for a safe and welcoming re-opening to campus in Fall 2021. In order to support departments and newly admitted students throughout what we call the “pre-arrival season” over the next several months, we will continue to send updates regarding visa document issuance for Fall 2021 new admits.  
 
  • Requesting Immigration Documents: Once a student accepts their offer of admission to UC San Diego, they should be able to access ISPO's document request system, the iPortal (iPortal.ucsd.edu) within 24 hours. Students can visit iNewStudent.ucsd.edu to learn how to request their immigration documents from ISPO.

  • FA20 and WI21 New Admits: As many FA20 and WI21 new admits began their programs remotely, the program start date listed on their immigration documents may reflect their intended quarter of entry into the U.S. rather than "admit term". Although a student may be continuing into their second or third term, the guidance for newly admitted students with initial SEVIS records may still apply. Students currently abroad seeking entry to the U.S. for the first time in their programs should be directed to iPortal to request an updated immigration document for entry to the U.S.  

  • Requirements for Entry: Students are required to seek entry into the U.S. no later than the deadline to add courses (end of Week 2) for the quarter of entry. Students should plan to enroll full-time with a minimum of one course with an in-person or hybrid component. Note: Summer 2021 arrivals should plan to enroll full-time. At this time, we are awaiting updated guidance from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regarding requirements to study in the U.S. for Fall 2021. For general information regarding travel, visit iTravel.ucsd.edu. 

  • Travel Support Letters: Students may log into iPortal and download a travel support letter for Spring 2021. We will provide updates once Summer 2021 travel support letters are available within iPortal for student download. Students who plan to travel to the U.S. but will arrive after the deadline to add courses should contact iNewStudent@ucsd.edu. 

In order to support our departments, ISPO has a dedicated Campus Partners page with resources for you to help navigate common questions you might get from newly-admitted international students. If you have any case-specific concerns or issues, please encourage students to contact our team directly at iNewStudent@ucsd.edu.  
Regulatory Updates
2/26F: USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT 
 
USCIS announced flexibilities for foreign students impacted by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765 applications (OPT and STEM OPT). These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, through May 1, 2021, inclusive. Read the full announcement here. For questions, email iEmployment@ucsd.edu.   
2/24W: U.S. Department of States Announces Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services 
 
The U.S. Department of State announced on Wednesday, February 24th that they will begin phased resumption of routine visa services. They are unable to provide a specific date for when each mission will resume specific visa services, or when each mission will return to processing at pre-pandemic workload levels. See each U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s website for information regarding operating status and which services it is currently offering. See the full announcement here.
3/11Th: Expansion of Renewal Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility 

On March 11, 2021, the Department of State extended until December 31, 2021 the temporary expansion of statutory and regulatory provisions that allow consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying to renew a visa in the same nonimmigrant visa classification and category if not more 48 months have passed since the prior visa expired (previously 24 months). See DOS site for additional details. 
 
For more information about regulatory updates, please visit iUpdates.ucsd.edu
ISPO Web Resources
 
  • iUpdates: The most up to date COVID-19 information, travel restrictions, and immigration updates for international students studying at UC San Diego.
  • iContact: All ISPO advising services will continue virtually through the Winter term.
  • Resource Page for ISPO’s Campus Partners: We have a dedicated page on our website for UC San Diego staff who are advising and supporting international students. Guides include Tips on Effective Intercultural Communication, Employing International Students, Basic Immigration Requirements, and more. 
Editor's Picks
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? As a campus partner, your collaboration is important to us in supporting our international student community. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iUpdates.ucsd.edu. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking on the 'Unsubscribe..." link at the bottom of this email.