Immigration News March 2025
March 5, 2025
International Student Events
ISSO Employment Workshops Spring 2025
Have questions about your employment options as an F-1 student? Come to one of the ISSO employment workshops!
Register through the links above. 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.
Immigration Pathways for Immigrant and International Students
OICS will be hosting a seminar with immigration attorney Robert Armstrong to discuss key topics like DACA, TPS, and pathways forward for Venezuelan students whose TPS status is set to expire soon. Learn about your options, rights, and resources available to help you secure your future in the U.S. This event will be hosted both in-person on UTD campus (FA 2.206) and virtually through Teams on Wednesday, April 02 at 11:00am central time. You must register for the event whether you attend in-person or virtually.
Virtual Registration – limit 1000 attendees
In-Person Registration – limit 40 attendees. Only register for in-person if you are certain you will attend, or cancel your registration if you are unable to come as planned so others can register.
Journey from F-1 to H-1B and Beyond Seminar
The ISSO will be co-presenting a seminar with immigration attorney David Swaim to talk about transitioning from F-1 to H-1B, the H-1B petition process, and steps for Permanent Residency. This event will be hosted both in-person on UTD campus (FA 2.206) and virtually through Teams on Wednesday, April 19 at 5:00pm central time. You must register for the event whether you attend in-person or virtually.
Virtual Registration – limit 1000 attendees
In-Person Registration – limit 40 attendees. Only register for in-person if you are certain you will attend, or cancel your registration if you are unable to come as planned so others can register.
ISSO Listening Session
The ISSO wants to hear from YOU! Join our office’s Listening Session on March 25 from 4-5 pm in FA-OGE 2.206 and give us feedback on your experiences working with and utilizing student services on campus. What resources have helped you? Which haven’t been helpful? Do you have suggestions for improving UTD’s services for international students? We would love to hear your opinions in a face-to-face discussion. We hope to see you there!
Breaking News
Share Your Story
Your journey as an international student in the U.S. is filled with unique challenges and triumphs that can inspire and empower others. By sharing your personal, academic, and professional experiences, you can help us advocate for future students and show the world the incredible impact of studying here. Share your story
USCIS Announces FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary. As a reminder, H-1B electronic registration DOES NOT grant Cap Gap Extension benefits to F-1 students and alumni. See below for more information about electronic registration.
H-1B Electronic Registration Process
Employers must complete an electronic registration process as a part of the H-1B petition process. Registration opens in March. If you need copies of your UT Dallas I-20 forms, complete the Immigration Document Copy Request through the iComet Portal. Please keep in mind, the ISSO can only provide copies of documents that we have on file. It is the your responsibility to maintain your immigration records. H-1B registration DOES NOT provide Cap Gap Extension eligibility. Any Cap Gap Extension is based on the filing date (when the full application is sent to USCIS), not the registration date. You will receive both a registration notice after electronic registration and a receipt notice after filing the application. Only the receipt notice can be used for Cap Gap Extension benefits.
DOS Announces Revised Visa Interview Waiver Policy
In a February 18, 2025 Interview Waiver Update the Department of State announced changes to its policies on eligibility for waivers of the in-person visa interview requirement. The update rescinds prior expansions of interview waiver authority, for example, reinstating the statutory 12-month post-expiration period for applicants who previously held a visa in the same category. This marks a shift from the previous policy, which allowed interview waivers for applicants whose prior visa had expired within the past 48 months. Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or because of local conditions. We encourage applicants to check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, and to learn more about the embassy or consulate’s operating status and services.
Seasonal Reminders
Travel Signatures for Spring Break Travel
F-1 Students: If travelling outside of the U.S. for Spring Break, make sure your most recent I-20 has a valid travel endorsement. The DSO signature may be digital or hand signed, but the student signature on page 1 must be hand signed in ink. If you are a current UT Dallas student, your I-20 should be endorsed within 12 months of your date of reentry. If you are on Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT, your I-20 should be endorsed within 6 months of your date of reentry. You can request a travel-endorsed I-20, submit a travel endorsement request through the iComet Portal. Review the ISSO webpage on Travel for detailed information on what documents to carry with you when you travel.
J-1 Students: If you are travelling outside of the U.S. during official school breaks, remember to request a travel endorsement on your DS-2019 from a J-1 Advisor. Submit your request to the ISSOJ1@utdallas.edu with the J-1 Student Service Request Form. Visit the International Center webpage on Travel for specific details on what immigration documents to carry when traveling. Remember that the law requires anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to carry evidence of status at all times.
Check OPT I-20 Recommendation Before Submitting I-765
If you are graduating and eligible to apply for Post Completion OPT, you must first receive an OPT I-20 from the ISSO before submitting an I-765 application to USCIS. When you receive your Post Completion OPT I-20 from the ISSO, immediately check the Page 2 Employment Authorizations section. Verify that the OPT recommendation is present, in “Requested” status, and the requested dates for your authorization are correct. USCIS must receive your I-765 application and uploaded OPT I-20 within 30 days of the date you received the recommendation, and before the end of your grace period – whichever is sooner.
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.
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 703-603-3400.
Received income in 2024?
All non-resident aliens who resided in the United States between January 1 and December 31 of 2024 must file a U.S. tax form. Refer to the ISSO webpage for resources to help you file your taxes: https://isso.utdallas.edu/employment-and-internships/taxes/. If you have any additional questions about tax filing, contact the UT Dallas Tax Compliance Office at taxcompliance@utdallas.edu.
J-1 On-Campus Employment
J-1 students are eligible for on-campus work authorization including employment related to a scholarships or assistantships. The student must be authorized for employment by their Program Sponsor, on form DS-2019, before beginning employment. Employment is limited to 20 hours a week during the fall and spring semesters and can be full-time during official school breaks. For the work authorization, you must submit the J-1 Student Service Request Form to the ISSO.
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!
