Immigration News November 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, 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.

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.). Effective November 8, 2021, 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. Travelers who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test three (3) days before their flight. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated will need to present the airline with proof of a negative COVID-19 test one (1) day before their flight. Airlines will review each person’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or documentation of exception. You must travel with your proof of vaccination. See FAQs for more information.

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.

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.

Labor Strikes May Affect F-1 Employment Authorization

International student/alumni employment authorization may be suspended during a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage at the place of employment. Additionally, employers are prohibited from transferring F-1 students working at other facilities to the facility where a strike or work stoppage is occurring. Speak with an immigration attorney prior to engaging in any strikes or other work stoppages.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Don’t Risk your F-1 Status by Working Without Valid Work Authorization

The types of employment allowed under the F-1 visa are limited by specific requirements. Work off campus requires specific authorization on your I-20. F-1 students may work on campus, employed by UT Dallas or by on-campus commercial firms that directly serve the UT Dallas student population. Positions with third parties not providing services directly to students or personal services for faculty or staff is not allowed. Just because an employer recruits on campus, doesn’t mean that you are authorized to work for that employer! Refer to information on the F-1 Student Employment page for more information.

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.

Find us on the web

Immigration News, including past newsletters, is available on the ISSO webpage – https://isso.utdallas.edu/news/