Immigration News August 2023

Time Sensitive Reminders for F-1 Students

Change of Level 

Students who have completed an academic program or end OPT in summer 2023 and who will continue or begin another degree program in the fall 2023 semester, must obtain a Change of Level I-20 to maintain their F-1 status. You must request for your Change of Level I-20 in a timely fashion in order to maintain your F-1 status. See the ISSO Change of Level webpage for more details.

F-1 Optional Practical Training

If you will graduate in the summer 2023 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.

If you plan to graduate in the fall 2023 semester, the first day to apply for Post-Completion OPT is September 16, 2023. Please keep in mind that prior to requesting your OPT I-20, you must do the following:

• Attend the OPT workshop
• Apply for graduation

Graduation Application Deadline for Fall Graduates

Fall 2023 F-1 graduates must apply for graduation by 11:59pm on September 6, 2023 in order to maintain their immigration status. Please note that the immigration deadline is earlier than the university deadline. For more information about how to apply for graduation visit the Registrar Office.

Fall 2023 Current Student Check In and Enrollment Reminders

The Current Student Check In eForm is now live in iComet. All continuing F-1 students who enroll in fall 2023 must complete the Check In before Census Day (September 6) to verify that you are physically present to attend the in-person components of our courses. See Launch of Current Student Check In – Fall 2023 for more information.

In addition, you must be meeting your F-1 enrollment requirements or be authorized for Reduced Course Load by the Census Day deadline to maintain your status for fall 2023. Review the F-1 Enrollment Requirements to ensure that you are correctly enrolled for fall.

Drop-in ISSO Appointments Available in JSOM CMC for August and September

Starting the first day of classes (August 21) and through the month of September, ISSO advising will be available in the JSOM Career Management Center on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm. Available appointments will be on a first-come-first-serve basis, only a limited number of students can be seen per advising window. Timely arrive to the CMC and sign in at the front desk if you wish to see an ISSO advisor for drop-in advising.

Major CIP Code Updates – Fall 2023

Your major’s CIP code is the national categorization of your academic program as it appears on the I-20. The CIP of your major is provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), and may be different from the UTD Program name. National CIP codes are regularly revised and added, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines what CIP coding is the appropriate equivalent of each UT Dallas program.

As of fall 2023, the UT Dallas the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP coding) for the following majors will be updated:

• Master of Science (MS) degrees in Energy Management will change from CIP 52.1399.01 to CIP 52.1301
• Master of Science (MS) degree in Marketing will change from CIP 52.1399.01 to CIP 30.7102.00
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics will change from CIP 45.0601.00 (BA) to CIP 45.0603.00 (BS).
• Doctorate degree in Business Administration (DBA) will change from CIP 52.1399.01 to CIP 52.1301.00

USCIS Will Conduct Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registrations

In March 2023, USCIS conducted an initial random selection on properly submitted electronic registrations for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B cap, including for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Only those petitioners with selected registrations for FY 2024 are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. The initial filing period for those with selected registrations for FY 2024 was from April 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023.

USCIS recently determined that they would need to select additional registrations to reach the FY 2024 numerical allocations. Soon, they will select additional registrations from previously submitted electronic registrations using a random selection process. USCIS will announce once they have completed this second selection process and have notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations from this round of selection that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration. Those with selected registrations will have their myUSCIS accounts updated to include a selection notice, which includes details of when and where to file.

Immigration Calendar

ISSO launched its Immigration Calendar recently that lists important immigration deadlines. Please make sure to check the Immigration calendar periodically to ensure that you are up-to-date regarding deadlines that may pertain to you and the maintenance your F-1 status.

Need an SSN letter?

As we approach the fall semester, many students are starting on-campus employment at UT Dallas for the first time. When you get your first job in the U.S., you will need to get a SSN letter from the ISSO so you can apply for a Social Security Number. You can find detailed instructions on the ISSO website – isso.utdallas.edu/ssn/. Keep in mind, you do not need the SSN to start working, but your employer will need your SSN in order to pay you. 

Not All On-Campus Employment is Allowed for F-1 Students

On-campus employment options depend on where the work is physically located and who the employer is. 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 (Chartwells, University Bookstore, etc.). Positions with third parties not providing services directly to students (alumni call center) or personal services for faculty or staff (housekeeping, lawn care) is not allowed. Refer to information on the F-1 Student Employment page for more information.

Ensure your Home Address in Galaxy is Up to Date

F and J students are required to update their current address in Galaxy within 10 days of the change. Check your Galaxy account to make sure that current physical location is reflected in the ‘Home’ address. Remember to check your current local address and update if necessary. For instructions, visit the Address Reporting webpage.

Electronic Devices and Social Media Searches

Travelers returning after travel abroad should remember that U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers have the authority to search any and all electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops brought into the U.S. at a port of entry. In addition, CBP also has the authority to search the social media accounts of individuals entering the U.S. if deemed necessary.

Form I-515A

If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry and do not have all of your required documents, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer has discretion to issue you a Form I-515A. This document allows you to have temporary admission into the United States for 30 days. If you receive Form I-515A when you entered the U.S., please follow all instructions contained in the notice within the deadline. Failure to comply with Form I-515A may result in the termination of your immigration status by USCIS.

ISSO is here for you

There are many ways to contact the ISSO. You can reach out through your iComet Portal, join us for a Live Chat online, or schedule an appointment. You can also check us out on Facebook  Instagram, and LinkedIn. Watch the Comet Calendar for upcoming workshops and events!