March 2023 | Updates for Alumni and Students on Post-Completion Training | |
A GUIDE FOR U.S. EMPLOYERS ON HIRING UC SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | | |
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Check out our new guide to assist U.S. employers with hiring UC San Diego International Students! A Guide for U.S. Employers on Hiring UC San Diego International Students
The guide was designed by UC San Diego Career Center and ISPO to give prospective and current employers information related to hiring UC San Diego international students, specifically on:
- The ease of procedures when hiring UC San Diego international students for internships or full-time opportunities while enrolled or after graduation
- How the UC San Diego Career Center can support employers’ recruiting efforts
- International students’ F-1 and J-1 work authorization options
Be sure to share with your current or prospective employers!
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SEVP Portal OPT Employment Start Date Error | | |
If you have recently logged onto your SEVP Portal you might have noticed that your SEVP Portal employment start date is a day after your actual OPT start date. This is a known issue and SEVIS is aware. At this time you do not need to submit the iPortal SEVP Assistance regarding the incorrect SEVP portal employment start date. We are hoping that SEVIS will have an update on this issue soon, but for now please continue to report your employment as normal in your SEVP Portal. | |
SEVP Mail Notices to OPT Students Without Employers in SEVP Portal | | |
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The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is conducting a review of SEVIS records for OPT participants and is mailing notices directly to students who have not reported employer information and are currently exceeding or at their 90 days of unemployment. The notice informs students of their lack of employer/employment information and provides an opportunity for students to update their records. If the SEVIS record is not updated, SEVP will “terminate” the record to reflect the lack of employer information. This will indicate that a violation of status has occurred either by failing to timely report OPT employment or by exceeding the permissible period of unemployment while on OPT.
To ensure that your SEVIS record will not be terminated due to failure to report Employment see our website for detailed instructions:
Optional Practical Training Employment Reporting SEVP Portal Information
STEM Optional Practical Training Employment Reporting Instructions
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F-1/J-1 OPT and Academic Training (AT)
Reporting Requirements Reminders
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STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements (Validation Reports)
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For changes to your personal address or phone number, use the SEVP Portal.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Reporting Reminders for Students on Standard 12-Month OPT
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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.
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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.
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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.
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J-1 Academic Training (AT) Reporting Reminders | | |
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Are you a J-1 student on post-degree completion Academic Training? Make sure to complete the following checklist to maintain your status.
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Initial 12 month OPT Employment End Date with Severance Package | | |
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If you have recently been furloughed with your OPT employer and are receiving a severance package, you should check with your employer to determine the proper employment end date to report in your SEVP Portal. The employment end date should be determined by your employer. We recommend that you keep documentation and paperwork to match your last date of employment. While receiving the severance package you should be making efforts to maintain your F-1 OPT status. To discuss any potential impacts on your future status we recommend speaking with an immigration attorney. As a reminder during post-completion OPT, F-1 students may not exceed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment. For resources to help in the job search see:
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Premium Processing for F-1 Students Seeking OPT and STEM OPT Extensions | | |
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Beginning March 6, 2023, USCIS began phasing in premium processing for F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions. Premium processing is submitted through Online filing of USCIS Form I-907, available to F-1 students in categories (c)(3)(A), (c)(3)(B), and (c)(3)(C). Starting March 6, 2023, only students who have a pending I-765 application with USCIS may submit an online Form I-907 for premium processing to follow. However, starting April 3, 2023, students may begin to file Form I-765 concurrently with Form I-907.
Premium processing provides expedited processing for certain USCIS Applications. Form I-765 applications may be processed within 30 calendar days with premium processing. Before you seek out this option, check USCIS's current processing times.
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Unemployment Counter Shown in Student's SEVP Portal Record | | |
H1B and Cap Gap Extension | | |
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The U.S. immigration regulations specify that the duration of status (D/S), and any post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization, will be automatically extended for an F-1 student who is in a valid period of OPT, has timely-filed an H-1B petition requesting change of status and an employment start date of October 1 of the current year. The student must be in a valid period of OPT end date of April 1 or later and have filed an H-1B petition that:
- has been timely filed.
- requests an employment start date of October 1 of the current year.
- requests a change of status, not consular processing.
- the student must not have violated the terms or conditions of his or her F-1 status.
- If an H 1B cap-subject petition is filed for a F-1 student who has entered the 60-day grace period, the student will receive the automatic extension of his or her F-1 status, but will not be authorized to work since the student was not authorized to work at the time H-1B petition was filed.
For more information regarding applying for Cap Gap Extension and requesting your Cap Gap I-20 please see our website here.
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Are you getting ready to apply for STEM OPT Extension? To help you through the application process, ISPO has broken down the process into 4 stages:
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Stage 1: Requesting STEM OPT I-20 - Make sure you check out our 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.
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Tax season is approaching, get prepared by attending a Tax Workshop! Learn about filing taxes in the U.S. and completing U.S. Tax Forms. See our calendar below for upcoming sessions and RSVP! All sessions will be virtual. | |
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State Tax Workshop
Wednesday, March 22 |12 PM
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Stay in Touch with ISPO Via LinkedIn! | | |
ISPO is now on LinkedIn! This is great and easy way to stay connected to the international community at UC San Diego, receive important information and updates, and contact ISPO as you start on your professional journey! | |
Call for UC San Diego International Alumni for Career Exploration Panel | | |
Are you an alum of UC San Diego working in the U.S. and are interested in discussing your career path her with current UC San Diego international students? If so, the UC San Diego Career Center would like to invite you to join their panel “Alumni 101: International Student Career Exploration” on Thursday, April 6th at 5-6pm (via Zoom). If you are interested in being a panelist, please email Paula Thomas, Director of Alumni Career and Professional Development at phthomas@ucsd.edu. | |
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International students are a common target of financial scams. If you receive unusual calls, emails, or texts asking to make payments or provide confidential information for employment, or immigration purposes, it could be a scam!
DON'T PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION; government officials will NEVER ask for money or payment to be made over the phone. Visit iSafety.ucsd.edu to learn how to identify and protect yourself from common threats and scams.
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UC San Diego Career Center and
Career Advisors for International Students
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The Career Center can coach you on how to find that ideal job, internship, or experiential outcome. Boost your skillset and become better prepared now.
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Need Additional Assistance? | | |
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Check out all the additional ways you can access ISPO advising services!
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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
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