Immigration News December 2024

Time Sensitive Reminders for F-1 Students

Graduation and Beyond

Before December 13, 2024. If your I-20 is expiring, or you applied for Fall 2024 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.

Before February 19, 2025. 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.

Current Student Check-In

Before Census Day, February 5, 2025. All continuing students who will be enrolling in Spring 2025 must complete Current Student Check-In in iComet and complete the ‘To do task’ called ‘Review Home Address’ in Galaxy to show you are meeting the physical presence requirements of F-1 status. The iComet form and ‘To do task’ will be available for spring beginning December 19. Check-In must be completed from within the U.S., so plan your travel times accordingly.

Change of Level 

Before Census Day, February 5, 2025. Students who will complete an academic program or end OPT in the Fall 2024 semester and will continue or begin another degree program in the Spring 2025 semester, must obtain a Change of Level I-20  to maintain their F-1 status.

Change of Major

Census Day, February 5, 2025. Students whose primary major will change to a different Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for the Spring 2025 semester, will be issued a Change of Major I-20 by the International Center beginning Census Day of the 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.

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinar

In these tax webinars, international students, scholars and professionals will be run through everything they need to know about nonresident tax for the 2024 tax season. Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, State returns, implications of misfiling as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return.

Thursday December 5th @ 2pm ET – Register here

Wednesday January 22nd @ 3pm ET – Register here

Thursday February 6th @ 1pm ET – Register here

Tuesday February 18th @ 12pm ET – Register here

Tuesday March 4th @ 4pm ET – Register here

Wednesday March 19th @ 2pm ET– Register here

Wednesday March 26th @ 1pm ET – Register here  

Thursday April 3rd @ 3pm ET– Register here

Thursday April 10th @ 12pm ET – Register here

Monday April 14th @ 1pm ET – Register here

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Overview for OPT/CPT

Topics covered will include residency for tax purposes, tax liabilities when on OPT/CPT and pre-employment tax forms when on OPT/CPT. The Sprintax team will also provide an overview of Sprintax Forms which can be used to prepare your pre-OPT/CPT employment tax documents.

Tuesday January 14th @ 12pm ET – Register here

Understand Immigration Consequences Before Dropping Courses

Even if you attended classes full-time for the entirety of the semester, dropping below full-time enrollment after the end of the term without authorization is still a violation of F-1 status and can lead to termination of your immigration record. If you believe you may receive a poor grade in a class, please do not drop the class before understanding the immigration implications. First talk to your academic advisor regarding options that will not endanger your status as an international student. You may also refer to ISSO’s Reduced Enrollment web page to see if you are eligible for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) authorization.

ISSO Services over the Holidays

ISSO services will be limited during some periods around the holidays. The ISSO will be closed from EOD December 20 through January 2 for the university’s winter break. We will reopen Friday, January 3. Complete requests submitted before December 13, 2024 will be processed before the ISSO closes at the end of the day on December 20, 2024. If you experience a critical immigration emergency outside International Center business hours, call the UT Dallas Police at 972-883-2222.

Travelling soon?

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.

Inauguration day will be on Monday, January 20, 2025. If possible, we strongly encourage all students and alumni to return to the U.S. before this date if you will be vacationing abroad for the holidays. This may help avoid potential disruptions in your ability to timely return to the country.

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.

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.

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.

Carry Immigration Documents

All non-immigrants should carry copies of your immigration documents (I-20/ DS-2019, passport, visa/ I-797A, etc) with you  at all times. If you have not already been doing so, ensure that you follow this practice going forward.

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.

Thank you for giving to UTDISEF UTD Impact

We have raised over $3,000. Thank you for those who were able to support fellow Comets by contributing to the UT Dallas International Student Emergency Fund! Donations provide critical aid to international students facing unexpected challenges that could disrupt their studies, immigration status, or graduation. Together, our contributions build a vital safety net for students with limited income options, helping them continue their academic journeys. Donate here: UTDISEF ImpactUTD

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!