December 2022 | Updates for Alumni and Students on Post-Completion Training
 

Travelling Internationally? Check Your Travel Signature!

Once you have been approved for OPT, note that the travel signature on the second page of your most recently issued Form I-20 is valid for 6 months (not 1 year). To learn more, visit iTravel.ucsd.edu.


Before traveling internationally check the 2nd page of your Form I-20 and ensure that you have a valid travel signature at the time of re-entry into the U.S.  


If you need to renew your travel signature follow the instructions on our Travel Signature page. 

For a complete list of documents needed for re-entry see our travel page. 

ISPO Holiday Closures and iPortal Requests

ISPO will be closed from Thursday, December 23, 2022 – January 3, 2023. Students planning on submitting their STEM OPT Applications to USCIS prior to ISPO's closure should note:  

 

  • Processing Time: Note that ISPO's processing time for STEM OPT I-20 Requests is 10 business days. Though there are no guarantees, ISPO will do our best to process pending STEM OPT I-20 Requests that are submitted in iPortal by 4PM PST on Friday, December 9. 

 

  • Earliest Date USCIS Can Receive OPT Applications: The earliest USCIS can receive your complete STEM OPT Application is 90 days prior to your current EAD end date. Students who submit earlier than the 90th day will receive a denial from USCIS.  

 

  • Physical Location: Current USCIS regulations require that students be physically present in the U.S. at the time of applying for OPT. Ensure you are physically present in the U.S. at the time of submitting your STEM OPT Application.  

 

For questions, visit STEMOPT.ucsd.edu or email iEmployment@ucsd.edu. 

The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

West Regional Conference Panelists

Are you interested in sharing your first-hand experiences managing your visa status and finding work in the US to current international students? Come and be a part of our International Student Panel!  

 

SASE is a pre-professional STEM organization that provides students of Asian descent (although not exclusively) support to find success through professional workshops, social events, and more.  

 

This year, our chapter has the honor of hosting the annual West Regional Conference (WRC), which is happening in-person on February 11, 2023. West Regional Conference is an opportunity for all SASE university chapters across the West Coast to attend workshops on professional development, network with other chapters, and grow as leaders and organizations.  

 

We believe that your valuable experiences overcoming adversity in the US can be helpful and inspiring for current international students at WRC! 

 

We are looking for 4-5 undergraduate/graduate alumni panelists from STEM-oriented majors (Engineering, Biology/Pre-Med, Life Science, or CS) who would be willing to physically attend the conference. The conference itself will also provide opportunities to network with other students, as well as companies attending the event! If you are interested, please contact Nathan Ng at ucsd@saseconnect.org or DM us on Instagram @saseatucsd. 

Changing Visa Status to H-1B

If you have been approved for a change of status to H-1B effective October 1, 2022 please do the following if you haven’t done so already: 

  

For Students On Initial 12 Month Post-Completion OPT 

  

  • Submit Termination/Completion of Status Reporting Form in iportal.ucsd.edu 
  • Upload H-1B Approval Notice 

  

For Students on 24 Month STEM OPT Extension 

  

  • Submit Termination/Completion of Status Reporting Form in iportal.ucsd.edu 
  • Upload H-1B Approval Notice 
  • Submit F-1 STEM OPT Reporting Form 
  • Upload I-983 Final Evaluation (bottom half of page 5) 

  

If you were approved for consular processing H-1B and believe your SEVIS record shows change of status in error, email us at iemployment@ucsd.edu.  

 

If you have any questions let us know! 

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!
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ISPO ON LINKEDIN
CLICK HERE FOR UC SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & ALUMNI GROUP
F-1/J-1 OPT and Academic Training (AT)
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.  

J-1 Academic Training (AT) Reporting Reminders

Are you a J-1 student on post-degree completion Academic Training? Make sure to complete the following checklist to maintain your status. 

 

UC San Diego Career Center and

Career Advisors for International Students

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. 

Need Additional Assistance?

Check out all the additional ways you can access ISPO advising services! 
 
 
International Students & Programs Office | iStudents.ucsd.edu
 
 
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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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