Summer 2021 | Vol 9 | 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. 
ISPO Office Updates
ISPO Opens Front Desk on Wednesday, September 1, 2021

As the campus prepares for students to arrive to San Diego to begin or resume coursework in-person, ISPO staff will implement a phased approach to return to site in order to meet the needs and support international students present on campus. While ISPO will continue to offer virtual drop-in advising and appointments, as well as email advising, effective Wednesday, September 1, 2021, we will reopen the office to offer walk-in front desk services at Student Center B. Students can learn more about ISPO's hours on campus by visiting iContact.ucsd.edu  
ISPO Welcomes Four New Team Members

ISPO is pleased to announce the addition of four staff members to our team. Kyle Argonza, Alexis Greene, Kathleen McLaren-Hawking and Lauren Woods joined ISPO this summer as Intake Advisors. Intake Advisors are ISPO's first line of response, advising international students on a variety of topics and working closely with the International Student Advising team to address students' needs in a timely manner. Alexis, Kathleen, Kyle and Lauren bring a wealth of experience in both higher education and international education to ISPO, and we are very excited that they will be working with us this upcoming academic year and beyond.

Visit the ISPO Staff page to learn about our new hires and the rest of the ISPO team.
Employment Updates Impacting International Students  
USCIS Extends Accommodations to F-1 Students Applying for Initial 12 Months of Optional Practical Training  

As the pandemic continues to impact processing times and applications submitted to USCIS, USCIS has announced additional extended flexibilities in a court order on July 23rd explaining that various flexibilities would be extended through October 31, 2021.  
 
Students submitting applications for 12-month post-completion OPT received now through October 31, 2021 may be filed up to 120 days before the F-1 program end date, extended from 90 days under the standard rules. Applicants are reminded that these flexibilities do not change the requirements for F-1 students to submit timely and properly completed EAD applications. This is of importance to international students who are expected to complete their programs in Fall 2021 or will be defending or taking a comprehensive exam on or before February 28, 2022. Colleges and departments may begin to see OPT Applications in iPortal that are being requested up to 120 days in advance for our Fall 2021 graduates.  
 
NOTE: This flexibility is NOT permitted for those filing for STEM OPT Extension, category (c)(3)(c).  
 
ISPO sent a newsletter to all continuing students on August 16, 2021 providing guidance regarding the flexibility. Please refer students to contact ISPO at iContact.ucsd.edu for questions regarding this flexibility.  
OPT Application and I-765 eFiling Options: Updated ISPO Guides  

On April 12, 2021, USCIS announced Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, used by F-1 students to apply for post-completion OPT and STEM OPT Extension, may now be filed electronically as an alternative option to filing by mail. ISPO has developed guides to filling out the online application to assist students through this process. 
OPT Eligibility Upon Earning a Terminal Masters    

F-1 students who complete degree requirements are eligible to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) within a 5-month application window fixed around an expected program end date. Only students who complete degree requirements and are within the 5-month application window are eligible to apply for post-completion OPT.  
 
Impacts to PhD students: For PhD students who request to leave the program, OPT will only be an option if: 
  1. Graduate Division determines the student is eligible for a Terminal Masters; and  
  2. The Terminal Masters conferral date is within the 5-month application window for OPT.  
 
It is important to note that PhD students leaving the PhD program with plans to apply for OPT based on a Terminal Masters should carefully discuss their plans with an ISPO Advisor.  
Travel Updates Impacting International Students
Guidance for Students Unable to Arrive to the U.S. for Fall 2021      

As the campus continues to anticipate a mostly in-person mode of instruction for Fall 2021, students abroad facing visa or travel delays are seeking guidance from the colleges and departments regarding remote options if unable to arrive this fall term.  
 
Newly Admitted Students 

  • Remote Enrollment: ISPO is advising students to follow up directly with their college or departments for course planning options. If seeking remote options, students are also encouraged to reach out to faculty and departments to ask if a remote option/section can be offered.  
  • Explore Options with Admissions: If a student has determined no options for remote enrollment are available, students should work with their college or departments to withdraw from courses for the FA21 term if unable to arrive or to work with Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Departments to explore other options. 
  • Immigration Documents: Once a student has determined their anticipated quarter of entry into the U.S. to enroll in in-person coursework, students should contact ISPO to obtain updated immigration documents.  
 
Continuing Students

  • Remote Enrollment: ISPO is advising students to follow up directly with their college or departments for course planning options. If seeking remote options, students are also encouraged to reach out to faculty and departments to ask if a remote option/section can be offered.  
  • Gap Quarter/Leave of Absence: If a student has determined no options for remote enrollment are available, students may use Fall 2021 as a gap quarter and re-enroll for Winter 2021.  
  • Immigration Documents: Once a student has determined their anticipated quarter of entry into the U.S. to enroll in in-person coursework, students should contact ISPO to obtain updated immigration documents.  
Understanding Requirements to Enter the U.S. for Fall 2021      

It is important for campus partners to understand that per visa regulations, any F-1 or J-1 student (newly admitted or continuing) is considered a 'new admit' if seeking entry to the U.S. for the first time to begin their program of study at UC San Diego. This will include students who began their programs remotely for Fall 2020 and are only now entering the U.S. for the Fall 2021 term to enroll in in-person coursework. Students who are entering the U.S. for the first time with a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa to pursue on-campus enrollment must note the following requirements for entry:  
 
  • Valid Form I-20: Students should check their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for accuracy. Students should ensure it reflects a program start date of Fall 2021. If not, students should submit an amendment to request an updated start date reflecting quarter of entry.  
 
  • Date of Arrival: Students may use their Form I-20/DS-2019 issued with a Fall 2021 program start date to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before but no later than 2 weeks after the program start date listed on their Form I-20/DS-2019 (October 8, 2021 - the add/drop enrollment deadline). Delayed arrival to UC San Diego is at the discretion of the student's academic department. Students may download a travel support letter from ISPO, which explains UC San Diego's instructions plans and allowance of delayed entry. This is available for students to download on the homepage of iPortal (iPortal.ucsd.edu).  
 
  • In-Person Enrollment: Students must enroll full-time (12 units) and enroll in a minimum of one in-person course for the Fall 2021 term. Students who cannot maintain full-time enrollment due to final quarter reasons should apply for a Reduced Course Load.  
 
 Students may use their Form I-20/DS-2019 issued with a Fall 2021 program start date to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before but no later than 2 weeks after the program start date listed on their Form I-20/DS-2019 (October 8, 2021 - the add/drop enrollment deadline). Delayed arrival to UC San Diego is at the discretion of the student's academic department.  
 
Unable to Arrive for Fall 2021: If a student's date of arrival to the U.S. is after October 8, 2021, students must submit a NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 Amendment/Reprint request within the iPortal to receive an updated I-20/DS-2019 with a future program start date reflecting the next available term, Winter 2022, or intended quarter of entry to the U.S. 
Required Report: Initial Arrival to the U.S. (Check-In)     

Once students enter the U.S., to begin in-person enrollment at UC San Diego for the first time, they should log into iPortal and submit the Check-In for I-20/DS-2019 Activation Request in order for ISPO to activate their records.  
 
Who is required to submit this form? 
Students who meet all of the following are required to submit this form: 
 
  • Initial I-20 from UC San Diego: "Form Issue Reason" on page 1 of your most recently issued I-20 states 'Initial Attendance', Transfer Pending', or 'Change of Educational Level' 
  • Program Start Date: Your program start date listed on the first page of your I-20/DS-2019 is in the future or is within the first 2 weeks of the quarter of entry. 
  • Location: You are physically located inside of the U.S. If you have not yet entered, wait to submit this form until after you enter the U.S. 
  • Arrival Record: You are able to show proof of last entry into the U.S. by uploading an Electronic Form I-94. 
Resource Pages for Student FAQs
For questions regarding vaccine compliance:

For vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO):
For campus housing and move-in information:

For student testing and screening information on campus:
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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.