Immigration News December 2021

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. 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, or you do not have an endorsement on your I-20, submit a Travel Signature Request in iComet to request a new I-20. The ISSO will send your new I-20 with travel endorsement by email. You will print and sign it to use for travel.

COVID Vaccination and Testing Requirements for Returning to the U.S. After Travel Abroad

The Department of State (DOS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced a new order for all air passengers traveling to the United States (U.S.). All nonimmigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide both proof of vaccination status and negative COVID tests prior to boarding an airplane to the US.  Airlines will review each person’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination and test results, or documentation of exception. You must travel with your proof of vaccination. These requirements may change due to the Omicron Variant, refer to the CDC prior to travel. See FAQs for more information.

Time Sensitive Reminders for F-1 Students

Graduation and Beyond

Before February 13, 2022. If you are an F-1 student, have completed your academic requirements and will remain in the U.S. after graduation, make appropriate preparations such as applying for OPT, starting another academic program or transferring out to another school.

Before December 15, 2021. If your I-20 is expiring, or you applied for Fall 2021 graduation but require another semester to complete academic requirements, notify the International Center through Ask an Advisor in iComet. Failure to request an extension of your program before your program end date will result in the termination of your F-1 status.

Change of Level 

Before Census Day, January 26, 2022. Students who will complete an academic program or end OPT in the Fall 2021 semester and will continue or begin another degree program in the Spring 2022 semester, must obtain a Change of Level I-20  to maintain their F-1 status.

Change of Major

Census Day, January 26, 2022. Students whose primary major will change to a different Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for the Spring 2022 semester, will be issued a Change of Major I-20 by the International Center beginning Census Day of the Spring 2022 semester.  These students will receive an e-mail notification when their new I-20 has been issued.

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.

Do Not Delay Your Graduation

Postponing graduation when you have completed all the courses required to earn your degree is a violation of the immigration regulations. For more information visit the Graduation and Beyond webpage.

Understand the Immigration Impact of a Withdrawal from Classes

If you request an academic or non-academic withdrawal of your courses, and your enrollment drops below full-time as a result (12 credits for undergraduates), this can jeopardize your immigration status if you are not authorized for a Reduced Course Load by the ISSO prior to the withdrawal. This action could potentially cause a termination of your F-1 record, regardless of whether the withdrawal occurs during the semester, or at any point after the end of the semester. In order to maintain your F-1 immigration status, you must obtain RCL authorization from the ISSO first, before completing a withdrawal.

Special Student Relief for Citizens of Hong Kong

F-1 students from Hong Kong have been added to the Special Student Relief program, which is a benefits package that allows for a reduced course load authorization you apply for and are granted a certain off-campus work authorization through the SSR notice. If you are a citizen of Hong Kong or one of the other countries included in the SSR program, please reach out to a DSO in the ISSO to determine your eligibility for this benefit.

Immigration Provisions in Build Back Better Act Not Finalized

U.S. House Representatives recently passed bill H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better (BBB) Act. The bill proposes various immigration provisions, such as potential relief and/or benefits for undocumented individuals and green card applicants. As a result, the cost of these relief measures may be offset by an increase in fees for international students. This bill has not yet been finalized, as it must be reviewed by the U.S. Senate before it goes into law. It is possible that the bill may not pass the Senate, or it may be revised before approval, and the BBB Act’s final iteration may be different from what has been initially passed by the House.

Inclement Weather Policy

As we approach the winter season, you should stay informed about potential weather related university suspensions or closings. Please see the Inclement Weather Policy web page for how to receive alerts from the university when there may be an interruption of classes or services due to severe weather.

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.

ISSO Services over the Holidays

ISSO services will be limited during some periods around the holidays. The ISSO will be closed on November 25 and 26 for Thanksgiving weekend, and from December 23 through January 2 for the university’s winter break. We will reopen Monday, January 3. Complete requests submitted before December 13, 2021 will be processed before the ISSO closes on December 23, 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 by January 2022. 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.

Change of Driver’s License Policy Affecting F-1 Students and Others

The Texas Department of Public safety may have changed its policy regarding the length and expiration of driver’s licenses for temporary visitors. If a visitor’s period of lawful presence is “duration of status”, which includes individuals in Active F-1 status, then a “limited term” driver’s license may be issued that will expire in one year. The license would then need to be renewed on a yearly basis. If you were previously issued a license with a duration of longer than one year, this license is still valid until the expiration date issued on the card.

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. You do not need to have filed the FAFSA or TASFA in order to apply; the application will ask questions in order to create an institutional financial statement. Accepting funding from the ARP Act will not categorize you as a public charge for immigration purposes. For more information or instructions on how to apply, visit the Office of Financial Aid ARP Act Emergency Aid website.

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.