Summer 2021 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
OPT Application Filing Options Update
You may have noticed that as of April 12, 2021, USCIS has announced that the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization may be filed online, as an alternative option to filing by mail. For more information, see this USCIS webpage. Due to the recent nature of this change, ISPO is unable to provide any further guidance on this new filing option at this time. We will provide more information as it becomes available. If you have any questions or would like to review the online application with ISPO while we working on updating our guides, please email iemployment@ucsd.edu. 
 
The steps on Stage 2 of our OPT and STEM OPT websites are only mainly applicable to students who choose to file their OPT applications to USCIS through mail, which is a filing option that continues to be accepted by USCIS; however you can still use them as a general guide while we work on updating our website. Make sure that you do not submit duplicate OPT applications using two different filing options! 
OPT 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.

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.  
UPDATE: State Department's Expansion of National Interest Exception Policy: Resources and Guidance
On April 26, 2021 (and in updates on May 13, 2021 and May 27, 2021) the State Department updated its National Interest Exception (NIE) page to expand certain NIE eligibilities to all countries subject to a geographic COVID-19 entry ban. This includes Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the Schengen Area of Europe.   
 
The notice also stated that, "Students with valid F-1 and M-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic program, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) starting August 1, 2021 or later do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to travel. They may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic program."  It still has not addressed F-1 OPT students or their dependents.
 
Please know that the NIE announcement is being frequently discussed at ISPO, across all 10 UC campuses, and at college and university campuses across the U.S., as it impacts thousands of students trying to come to the U.S. this fall. To that end, NAFSA: Association of International Educators sent a letter on May 5th to Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken to remove references to the August 1 program start date "condition" to the NIE policy in order to permit travel by students on OPT, students now in the U.S. or abroad who are planning to return to the U.S. to resume their program, and students who are planning to begin a program of study earlier this summer. ISPO will keep you apprised of any updates made to this policy as soon as we learn more.
Ask Triton: ISPO's Website Enhancements
Questions for ISPO? Visit iStudents.uscd.edu and view the bottom right hard corner for the 'QUESTIONS – ASK TRITON' Icon to find answers to commonly asked questions. The chatbot enhancement allows students to ask about visa questions, UC San Diego Admissions, Registrar and Financial Aid questions in English, and in Spanish 24 hours a day! Try it out next time you have a question for ISPO!  
 
Looking for further assistance? Check out all the additional ways you can access ISPO advising services! 

Interactive Map of Employers Who
Sponsor International Students and Scholars
The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and International Faculty & Scholar 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. 
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