Immigration News October 2024
October 3, 2024
Time Sensitive Reminders for F-1 Students
F-1 Optional Practical Training
If you plan to graduate in the fall 2024 semester, you are now within the valid period to apply for Post Completion OPT. Please keep in mind that prior to requesting your OPT I-20, you must do the following:
- Attend an OPT workshop
- Apply for graduation (unless you are applying by oral exam/ defense date)
- Pay the Post Completion Practical Training Fee
For more information, attend an OPT workshop on iComet, attend an in-person OPT workshop, or visit the ISSO Optional Practical Training webpage.
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.
- NOTE: If your I-20 expires on 12/31/2024, the ISSO must receive your I-20 extension request no later than the first week of December in order to process your extension before the university closes for winter break.
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-20 Program End Date Change
As of Fall 2024 and going forward, the I-20 program end date (or “date of completion”) for standard graduating students is being adjusted to the degree conferral date per the academic calendar. In previous terms, the last day of finals was considered the date of completion. This change will not affect most students, but adjusts some of the relevant dates for CPT and OPT authorizations. All ISSO online resources have been updated to reflect the new dates for Fall 2024 and future semesters.
Pizza & Plagiarism: an academic success workshop
Join our workshop and enjoy FREE PIZZA – first come, first serve. Attend in person or virtually. Presented by experts from ISSO, Intercultural Programs, the Office of Graduate Education, the Office of Community and the Writing Center Learn the art of avoiding plagiarism, master proper citation like a pro, discussions around AI, and explore effective strategies in academic writing.
Register to attend here.
October 9, 2024 at 12 pm.
JSOM 11.214
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, 2024. If you have not received approval for your H-1B petition yet, you should not work past September 30, 2024 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.
In-person F-1 Employment Workshops Available Sept-Nov
Have questions about your employment options as an F-1 student? Come to one of the ISSO employment workshops!
See instructions for registration on the respective Comet Calendar pages above. Registration for each session opens 30 days in advance of the listed dates, so some future dates will not yet be open to register. Note that while completing the CPT and OPT workshops is required to apply for each benefit, you are not required to attend these workshops in-person. You may also complete these workshops online in iComet for your application requirements.
Tornado Season
While tornados are rare, the International Center would like you to be prepared. Review the Tornadoes and Watch vs. Warning information on the UT Dallas Emergency Preparedness Information webpage, under the “Know Your Hazards” section. In the event that International Center staff are unavailable due to an emergency, call the UT Dallas Police Department at 972-883-2222. If the UT Dallas Police are unavailable, and you need critical immigration assistance or evacuation, contact the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at SEVP@ice.dhs.gov, or call 703-603-34
Report Visa Fraud and Unauthorized Employment
If you are aware of visa fraud or international students working unlawfully in the U.S., report it here: Email or Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE. The ISSO will only initiate unauthorized employment investigations that are reported by campus stakeholders, or where there is a student admission of their own unauthorized employment, all others will be referred directly to DHS.
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.
Help Keep our Campus Safe and Welcoming
All members of our University community share in a collective responsibility to make our campus peers feel welcome and safe. Stand up and step in by recognizing potentially harmful situations (physical, mental, social or emotional) affecting individuals or groups, and respond in a way that could positively influence the outcome. For more information, visit Comet Voice.
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 or Instagram. We offer virtual workshops for OPT and CPT in iComet, and we are making plans to resume some in-person workshops on-campus this spring. Watch the Comet Calendar for upcoming events!
