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Spring 2021 | Vol 5 | 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

Summer Full-Time Enrollment Requirements In order for ISPO to be able to issue an I-20 with a summer program start date, the student must be enrolled full-time in the summer. Full-time in the summer is considered:   For I-20s with a Summer Session 1 program start date:  6 units in SS1 PLUS 6 units in SS2  For I-20s with a Summer Session 2 program start date:   6 units in SS2  For I-20s with a Special Summer Session program start date:   6 units in SS3  In-person Course Requirement:   At this time, per the U.S. Department of State SEVP guidance that was released in August 2020 and until further notice from SEVP due to the COVID-19 pandemic, F-1 international students are advised that they must enroll in a course with an in-person course component in their first term of study IN the U.S.   When can students enter the U.S. with a summer start I-20?  Students are eligible to request entry to the U.S. 30 days prior to the Program Start Date listed on the I-20.

Summer 2021 Internships & Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for Fall 2020 Graduate Student Admits  NOTE: The following guidance is specifically for graduate students admitted and/or starting their programs of study at UC San Diego for the first time between Fall 2020 and Summer 2021.  This last year, because of the unprecedented COVID-19 emergency, many Fall 2020 admitted students were unable to enter the U.S. in F-1 status to start accruing time towards the one academic year requirement for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in F-1 status. ISPO conveyed to students in this situation that "exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training”. [8 CFR 241.2(f)(10)(I)]. It was explained that these exception requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the academic department.    Recently, ISPO became aware of how exceptions to the one year requirement for CPT may have a potential impact on individuals who apply for future immigration benefits such as H-1B or U.S. permanent residency. This is due to increased scrutiny of such applications by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) when reviewing previous practical training authorization. As such, ISPO has enhanced advising and materials regarding CPT eligibility for Summer 2021 in order to mitigate risk and support our students.    For Fall 2020 Admits who were enrolled full-time in the Fall, Winter and Spring terms, residing in the U.S. or abroad, and have entered the U.S. in F-1 status prior to April 9, 2021, ISPO will continue to support their summer CPT requests.    For Fall 2020 Admits, who deferred their admission to Winter 2021 or Spring 2021 and have entered the U.S. in F-1 status prior to April 9, 2021, ISPO will continue to support their summer CPT requests if they are eligible for the one academic year exception.     What does this mean for advisors?    Advising: Students in these admit terms will be made aware of the above-mentioned risks and will be asked certify their understanding by submitting an attestation within their CPT iPortal request. Students can visit CPT.ucsd.edu for more information.     Support Letters: ISPO recommends that departments provide graduate students with an Experiential Learning Support Letter to retain for their own records. Please visit the iPortal for Campus Departments webpage for more information about this verification, including a template letter for you to use.    Alternative options for students: Students abroad in these admit terms who are not able to enter the U.S. by April 9 (last day to add/drop a course for SP21) or who are not eligible for the academic year exception may pursue their internship while residing abroad without needing CPT authorization. They should clearly communicate their locations abroad with potential employers and seek prior approval.    Summer 2021 Arrivals: Students in these admit terms who plan to seek initial entry to the U.S. in Summer 2021 are required to enroll full-time for the summer. In addition, SEVP Guidance requires students to have a minimum of one hybrid or in-person course in order to seek entry into the U.S. Students in these admit terms who enter in Summer 2021 and meet eligibility for CPT will not be eligible for the Summer Cooperative Education Program and will need to enroll in an internship course in the Summer to engage in CPT.    NOTE: For Fall 2021 and beyond admits, we expect a return to normal operations and will only recommend CPT for students who are lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year (or three academic terms such as Fall, Winter and Spring) and have active SEVIS records. Exceptions to the one-year academic year requirement will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students must verify that the internship is an integral part of an established curriculum and requires immediate participation in curricular practical training.    Please contact Dulce Dorado, ISPO Director, at ddorado@ucsd.edu if you have any questions regarding this information.

Visa Services Operating Update Per the Department of State's latest update on April 6, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the ability of embassies and consulates around the world to be able to resume routine visa services. Various country- and city-specific conditions, quarantine regulations, and travel restrictions have contributed to a backlog of immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointment availability and processing. The Department of State asserts that it is working diligently to reduce this backlog while keeping in mind the safety of their staff and applicants.

Updates on COVID 19-Related Presidential Proclamations Regarding Visas and Travel   ISPO can share the following updates regarding visas and travel for international students:    U.S. embassies and consulates implemented a phased-in resumption of visa services in February. However, based on the State Department's Visa Appointment Wait Times tool, sites in countries such as China and India remain closed or are for emergencies only. Despite elimination of the suspension, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact visa operations worldwide. As geographic-specific conditions improve, embassies and consulates will provide visa services as resources allow.  The geographic COVID-19-related Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, and 10143, which suspend entry into the United States of individuals who have been physically present in China, Iran, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa in the 14-day period before seeking entry into the United States, remain in effect.  With the Chancellor's Office April 5 announcement about the Fall 2021 Instructional Plan, ISPO will continue to issue immigration documents (Form I-20 and DS-2019) to incoming students who submit a complete request to us. By doing so, we hope the students will already have the necessary documents in hand so they can start the visa application process as soon as visa services resume in their specific area.    We continue to monitor the situation and will send out updates via the this listserv. In the meantime, for more information about these proclamations, as well as updates and resources on current travel restrictions, please see the following:  Department of State General Travel Information   Presidential Proclamation 10052 Phased-In Resumption of Visa Services Country-Specific Travel Information (Including Scheduling Visa Appointments)

Programs and Resources

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.

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.