July 2023 | Updates for Alumni and Students on Post-Completion Training | |
Check Out ISPO's New YouTube Video: Maintain F-1 Visa Status while on OPT | | |
Cap Gap Process and Eligibility | | |
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Did your employer file for a change of status to H-1B visa for you? If your H-1B has officially been filed and receipted with USCIS, and your OPT or STEM OPT expires after April 1, 2023, you may be eligible for a Cap-Gap Extension, which allows you to continue to work with your employer until September 30, 2023.
To request an updated I-20 which reflects the Cap-Gap Extension, submit the F-1 Cap Gap I-20 Request in iPortal.ucsd.edu
Note, if your employer filed for H-1B through consular processing, not change of status, Cap-Gap should not apply to you.
For more information see here.
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End of COVID-19 Flexibilities for Remote J-1 Employment (Academic Training) | | |
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On June 8, 2023, the State Department (ECA) announced the end to its Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, following the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023. This guidance had allowed for certain flexibilities for students in J-1 status, particularly as it pertained to employment, enrollment, and travel.
What does this mean for me?
Effective January 1, 2024, J-1 students on Academic Training may not work remotely (from a residential address) for their employer for more than 40% per week (e.g., no more than two days out of a five-day work week).
Please plan your employment schedule accordingly in preparation for these changes.
For questions, contact an ISPO Advisor by visiting iContact.ucsd.edu
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Having Issues with your SEVP Portal? Submit SEVP Portal Assistance Request in iPortal! | | |
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You may submit the SEVP Portal Assistance Request in iPortal.ucsd.edu for any of the following issues:
- Assistance with updating the employer start date information due to start date being 10 days or more in the past*
- Resetting SEVP Portal access due to locked out account OR expired link
- Receiving SEVP Portal account setup email AFTER OPT start date listed on EAD card
- Changing email address associated with SEVP Portal
- Assistance with employer information due to another SEVP Portal not listed above
*If you are trying to enter a start date more than 10 days in the past, the SEVP Portal system won't let you. You can submit the SEVP Portal Assistance Request and ISPO will help you but you still need to enter an employer in SEVP Portal. Since it won't let you put the right start date, put today as the start date and then submit the SEVP Portal Assistance Request to correct the start date.
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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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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! | |
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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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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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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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Contact iemployment@ucsd.edu with any concerns or questions.
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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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Traveling Internationally? | | |
Be prepared when making plans to travel outside the U.S. Review all information below to understand what documentation you will need to carry with you when you travel outside the U.S., what documents you need to enter or re-enter the U.S., and how your travels may affect your visa status. See our iTravel.ucsd.edu page here for a complete list of required documents needed for travel. | |
Check your Travel Signature | | |
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F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Extension Students:
Check page 2 of your current Form I-20, and if the travel signature is more than 6 months old, then it is expired. Renew your travel signature by following instructions on our Travel Signature page.
J-1 Students:
Check page 1 of your current Form DS-2019, and if the travel signature is more than one year old, then it is expired. Renew your travel signature by following instructions on our Travel Signature page.
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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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