Update to ISSS Operations

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International Student and Scholar Services is now providing nearly 100% of services remotely. During this temporary change, we strive to meet your international advising needs and we thank you for your flexibility. Please read for important changes to our application processing and advising services, including remote advising, travel signatures, I-20/DS-2019 forms for new students, and other applications. Remember that all UConn international students, visiting scholars and OPT participants must complete the Remote Learning – ISSS Check In form during this time, and re-submit if your information changes.  

 

Remote Advising

ISSS will offer chat-advising through Office 365 weekday afternoons between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm.  ISSS advisors will be available on the following schedule:  

Monday:              Sarah Manning, Lulu Dong   

Tuesday:              Neena Kapoor, Rae Alexander   

Wednesday:      Jennifer King, Arthur Galinat   

Thursday:            Leslie Lawrence, Amina Kader  

Friday:                  Annie Casarella, Nadine Boudissa

  • Go to https://email.uconn.edu/office-365/ 
  • Click on Launch Office 365 (on right side).
  • Use your UConn email and password to login. 
  • Click on Microsoft Teams.
  • Once in Teams, click on the Chat icon on the left.
  • Click on the new chat icon at the top of the screen (looks like a pen on a paper).
  • In the new chat window type the name of the ISSS Advisor on duty for the day you are chatting and type your message.  Be sure to include your full name and UConn student ID# to assist us.  Please be aware there may be many other students chatting at the same time and it may take several minutes to get a response.You are not required to contact your normally assigned advisor. Temporary changes to the advising schedule will be posted on the ISSS website.  If you need to schedule an appointment to chat with your advisor through Microsoft Teams outside of the scheduled hours, send your advisor an email with this request.  

 

Travel Signatures -Travel Outside the U.S. 

  • Students and scholars who will depart the U.S. before normal operations resume should submit the Travel Information Record following these instructions and depart without getting the travel signature on the I-20/DS-2019. 
  • We will temporarily waive the requirement to submit a full time enrollment verification. 
  • If you do not have a valid travel signature on your current I-20 for return, you can select the option “I am traveling due to COVID-19 outbreak and I need ISSS to reprint my I-20″. 
  • We will track your return date to the U.S. (listed on the travel information record) to ensure that your I-20/DS-2019 can be mailed to you before you return. 
  • When normal operations resume, ISSS will send you an email asking you to select a shipping method and pay for express, international shipping to your address outside the U.S. This way you will have the I-20/DS-2019 for your return.

 

Initial I-20s/DS-2019s 

  • ISSS will continue to issue initial I-20 forms for new students and initial DS-2019 forms for new exchange visitors. 
  • Once complete, we will email you the information from your form (SEVIS ID and School Code or Program Number) so that you can fill out your DS-160 visa application form and schedule your visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate. 
  • Please note that some U.S. embassies/consulates are not currently taking visa appointments. You should check the website for the U.S. embassy/consulate in your country every few days to see if appointments have opened up. 
  • When you confirm your visa appointment date, send an email to the person who sent you your pre-arrival email, OR international@uconn.edu . This way we can mail your form to you in time for your visa appointment. 

 

OPT/STEM OPT Applications 

  • ISSS will continue to process applications for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT. 
  • Your advisor will send you an email with advising documents related to your application once your OPT has been processed by ISSS in SEVIS. 
  • Your updated I-20 that you will need to mail your application will likely be printed several days later. When printed, you will receive an email when your I-20 form is printed asking you to confirm the shipping method and address. 
  • Once you have your I-20 and other required documents for your application, you will be able to mail your application. 

 

All other applications 

  • ISSS will continue to process all other applications. Please submit your applications through the TDS portal and they will be handled by an ISSS advisor or international services specialist. 
  • ISSS will determine if the printing of your document must be completed now, or can wait until normal operations resume. We anticipate that the majority of documents will be printed later. 
  • You will receive an email from ISSS after your document has been printed. You will be able to view and download an unsigned version of your updated I-20/DS-2019 through the ISSS Portal. 

 

Phone Calls  

  • If you would like to make a phone appointment with your ISSS advisor, please email them to set up an appointment.They will call you at the scheduled time (U.S. numbers).
  • The front desk phone line 860-486-3855 will be monitored during business hours, 9 am-5pm. If your phone call is not answered, leave a message with your name, UConn student ID number, U.S. phone number and/or email address.  Please speak slowly and clearly. If you have already sent an email to international@uconn.edu or to your advisor, please wait at least two days for a response. 
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