Immigration News October 2021

Time Sensitive Reminders for F-1 Students

F-1 Optional Practical Training

If you will graduate in the fall 2021 semester, you may be eligible for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information attend an OPT workshop on iComet or visit the ISSO Optional Practical Training webpage.

Some students may wish to apply for OPT early, due to the long USCIS processing times for OPT applications. Please keep in mind that prior to requesting your OPT I-20, you must do the following:

• Attend the OPT workshop
• Apply for graduation

I-20 Program Extensions

F-1 students are required to complete their academic programs within the time listed on their I-20s. If your I-20 will expire this year, and you are not able to complete your program within this period of time, you may apply for a program extension. You may apply for your extension during the semester that your I-20 is set to expire.

Report Your OPT Employment

All students on OPT must report changes in employment within 10 days. Exceeding the limits on unemployment can result in DHS terminating your F-1 record. You may not be eligible for reinstatement for a termination during OPT or STEM OPT. Students on Post-Completion OPT may accrue up to 90 days of unemployment, and students on the 24-month STEM OPT extension can accrue an additional 60 days of unemployment, for a total of 150 days. Although you can update some information in the SEVP Portal, you are still required to report directly to the ISSO through the iComet Portal.

The ISSO strongly recommends reviewing your reporting requirements for Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT online to ensure you know how to maintain your F-1 status.

I-983 Expired

It is common for government forms to reach their expiration date before a new form is available. The Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT expired on 07/31/2021. Until a new version of the form is released, you can safely continue to use the existing I-983, even though it expired. If you have questions, “Ask Emma” at uscis.gov.

Cap Gap Extension Expired September 30

For F-1 students who received cap gap” extensions of their OPT authorization, the cap gap employment authorization lasted only through September 30, 2021. If you have not received approval for your H-1B petition yet, you should not work past September 30, 2021 without some type of valid work authorization. If you have received your H-1B approval, you should submit a final OPT reporting form and a copy of your approval notice to the ISSO. If you have questions about your H-1B petition, please refer to your company or immigration attorney for more information.

OPT and Online I-765

USCIS now offers the I-765 OPT application online. Many UT Dallas students have already successfully used this great new service to submit their applications to USCIS and be approved for OPT. The online I-765 helps ensure that applicants avoid the most common filing mistakes. To streamline the ISSO issuance of OPT I-20s and reduce processing times, uploading an I-765 document for advisor review will no longer be required for iComet OPT I-20 requests starting November 1st, 2021.

Updated Financial Figures for I-20s

The Estimated Expenses used to issue new I-20 documents and I-20 program extensions will be updated soon. If you plan to request a Change of Level I-20 or program extension in the upcoming semester, be sure to review the current financial requirements before submitting your request. Once the estimated expenses are updated, we will announce the change in the immigration newsletter and update the ISSO website.

Travelling soon?

The current pandemic situation has created some unique challenges with travelling internationally. Please keep in mind that travelers from certain countries may be restricted from entering the U.S., and these restrictions may continue to change. Take care when planning international travel during this time. For more details about documents to carry with you when travelling, please see the ISSO webpage on Travel Outside the U.S.

You will need a travel endorsed I-20 to re-enter the U.S. If you need to travel suddenly, check your current I-20 for a travel endorsement on page 2. If it was issued within 12 months (for current students) or 6 months (for OPT students), then you may use the I-20 you already have for travel. The travel endorsement must be valid on the date you re-enter the U.S.  If the endorsement is expired, submit a Travel Signature Request in iComet to request a new I-20. The ISSO will send your new I-20 by email. You will print and sign it to use for travel.

National Interest Exception

There are geographical travel restrictions in place between the U.S. and certain countries. However, the U.S. Department of State has granted a National Interest Exception for F-1 students traveling to the U.S. 

Here is what you need to know: 

• You do not have to apply for the NIE. It is automatic. 
• Both current students and students on OPT are eligible for the NIE. 
• See the ISSO webpage for more information about what documents to carry with you when you travel – isso.utdallas.edu/travel/

Emergency Aid Available

We know many of our students are still greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Financial Aid has an emergency aid application available, made possible by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. Current students enrolled for fall 2021 are eligible to apply, including international students. Students who are not eligible to complete a FAFSA or TASFA will begin receiving email notices this week with instructions on how to complete an application. For more information, visit the Office of Financial Aid ARP Act Emergency Aid website.

Submit Processing Requests to ISSO Early

ISSO receives a high volume of student and alumni requests. Don’t wait until the last minute! Submit requests to ISSO 3-4 weeks in advance of when you need them.

Beware of Scams

International students are often targeted by scammers, who may pretend to be government officials or threaten legal action in order to get money from scam victims. Watch out for scams! Government officials will not call you and demand payment or information over the phone, and no legitimate organization will ask for payment in the form of gift cards. Learn more about scams from the UT Dallas Information Security Office and UT Dallas Police Department.

Official communications from UT Dallas about COVID-19 will continue to be provided via UT Dallas email addresses and the UT Dallas website, utdallas.edu/coronavirus/. If you are uncertain about the source of communications you receive, please check its legitimacy. If you have any questions about a potential contact or scam, call the UT Dallas Police at 972-883-2222.