ISSS knows that many international students may be wondering if they will be able to travel home for the summer as planned. Please consider the following information when making your decision for personal travel, especially if you are from a country that has been highly impacted by the coronavirus spread:

Traveling Home for Summer

If you are from a country highly impacted by coronavirus, there is a risk that flight, visa and entry restrictions could prevent your timely return to campus for fall semester. You must be prepared for this possibility, and communicate your plans and whereabouts to the University and to ISSS if you are unable to return by the first day of the semester.

If you are a current student considering travel to China or Iran, please note:

• Foreign national travelers who were in China or Iran within the 14-days before arrival to the U.S. are not currently allowed to enter the U.S. unless they qualify for an exception (for example, if you have a U.S. citizen spouse or child, or you are a permanent resident). We do not know when this travel restriction will be lifted. If it is not lifted before fall semester, you may not be able to return for the semester as planned.
• U.S. visa services in China are temporarily suspended. ISSS is aware of visa appointments currently available starting in late May. This temporary suspension could lead to a backlog of visa appointments this summer, and increased delays in getting an appointment. If you need to renew your visa in order to return, keep this in mind. If you are a graduate student or visiting scholar in a STEM field, you will have to consider the timeline for administrative processing of your visa in addition to possible delays in getting a visa appointment. While U.S. visa services are not offered in Iran, if the countries where Iranian students would normally apply for visas have also imposed an entry restriction for travelers from Iran, then it may be difficult to obtain a visa appointment.

Also, there may be countries in addition to China and Iran that impose their own outbound travel restrictions, or countries whose travelers may be restricted from entering the U.S. This could also delay your travel back to UConn.

If you traveled home to a high-risk country, you could also be subjected to a mandatory quarantine period upon return. You must plan your return travel to accommodate any quarantine period before classes begin.

Staying in the United States during summer

If you would normally travel home for the summer, but you are considering staying in the U.S. due to the coronavirus, here is basic information to help you plan your stay.

Immigration information

F-1 students are allowed to stay in the U.S. for your summer vacation as long as you intend to enroll as a student for fall semester. Make sure the program end date on your Form I-20 is not  does not expire before December 2020.

Coursework 

You are not required to take courses to maintain your visa status, unless your academic program includes a required summer term (most do not). However, you may take summer courses for enrichment or to get ahead in meeting your program’s degree requirements.  UConn summer session registration begins March 23, 2020. During summer session, you may also take online courses, which would normally be restricted during summer. Also, the tuition rate for undergraduate courses during summer is the in-state rate!

Students who wish to enhance their academic English could consider enrolling in the summer intensive English program at UCAELI.

Summer Session at UConn

University of Connecticut American English Language Institute (UCAELI)

Working 

International students may work in on-campus positions full time during the summer. To qualify, you must be working on-campus with UConn as your employer. You may also work for the Starbucks at the UConn Bookstore, or the restaurants in the Student Union. If you are unsure whether your employment is OK for your student visa, always check with ISSS.

To look for on-campus jobs:

Studentjobs.uconn.edu > JobX for UConn Students

International students may apply for “Student Labor” positions, not “Work Study” positions.

International students may NOT work in casual positions off-campus, or work for yourself (i.e. drive for Uber, deliver food for GrubHub, babysit, etc.). This is a violation of your student visa. If this will be your first time working in the U.S., you will need to apply for a Social Security Number. ISSS can assist you with this.

International students may also be able to do an internship in the U.S. over the summer off-campus. You must have either CPT or OPT authorization BEFORE you begin, and the internship must be directly related to your field of study. See your ISSS advisor for details. Even unpaid internships require CPT or OPT authorization. The UConn Center for Career Development provides internship listings, resources and counseling to help improve your internship search and experience.

Employment for International Students

UConn Center for Career Development  

Housing 

The University is exploring whether on-campus housing at the Storrs and Stamford campuses may be available in summer for current students who are unable to travel home due to coronavirus. International undergraduate students from countries highly impacted by the virus will soon receive an email survey regarding your summer plans– this helps the University to assess student need for housing and other on-campus services. It will be very important that you respond to the survey. If housing will be available on campus, we will let students know of the application process as soon as possible.

If you live off-campus, it will be important to know the terms of your lease, in-case you need to extend your rental period. If you will not be able to stay in your current rental, the UConn Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services office has resources to assist you with your housing search.

Changing addresses 

Remember, all international students must notify ISSS if you are living at a different U.S. address over the summer. You must update ISSS within 10 days of moving. Update your address by logging into StudentAdmin and updating the “Current Local” address field. You must notify us of any address where you will stay 10 days or more. For more information on how to format your address, visit the ISSS Update Your Address webpage.

Health insurance

If you stay in the U.S. for the summer, you must ensure that your U.S. health insurance coverage is also extended! Contact your health insurance provider for details.

Some international students and visiting scholars who will soon complete their programs are wondering if they will have difficulty traveling or returning to their home countries after completing their program at UConn. Please consider this important information and make an appointment with your ISSS Advisor to discuss your plans if you have concerns.

Your Grace Period

Students on F-1 visas have a 60-day grace period to remain in the United States from the date you complete your academic program or your post-completion OPT benefit.

Students and visiting scholars on J-1 visas have a 30-day grace period to remain in the United States from the date you complete your academic program or your post-completion Academic Training benefit.

After the grace period ends, you will not be in valid legal status unless you have taken steps to change or extend your current visa status.

Options for F-1 students

Apply for post-completion OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a work permit that allows you stay in the United States after graduation and do an internship or employment directly related to your academic major. UCAELI students are not eligible for OPT.

More Details: ISSS OPT Webpage.

Deadline to apply: One month after you complete your program.

Gain admission to a new degree program

Students who are admitted to a new degree program at UConn or other U.S. schools may stay in the U.S. between programs if you gain admission and obtain an I-20 for the new program before the end of your 60-day grace period, AND the new program begins within 5 months after completing your current program.

More details:

Stay at UConn for a new program

Stay at UConn but new program is at a different campus

Transfer out to another University

Deadline to request I-20 for new program: One month after completing program, to be safe. Transfers to a new University where you are admitted can take place up to 60 days after completing your program.

Extend your current program

Students who have an unexpected academic or medical reason that prevents you from completing your academic program may be able to extend your I-20 to continue your current program of study. Examples may include adding a minor, or if you encounter unexpected research problems.

More Details: Program Extension Request

Deadline to apply: At least two weeks before your current I-20 program end date.

Change to a different visa type

Students who are currently maintaining status, and are eligible to remain in the U.S. under a different visa type may file an application with the U.S. government to change visa status. We recommend that you work with an immigration attorney for guidance on this option.

More Details: Make an appointment with your ISSS Advisor.

Options for J-1 students and scholars

Apply for post-completion Academic Training (students only)

Academic Training is an extension of your current program that allows you to gain practical experience through internship, employment or training that is integral to your exchange program in the U.S. Only for J-1 exchange visitors in student categories (Student Non Degree, Student Masters, Student Doctoral, etc.)

More details: ISSS Academic Training

Deadline to apply: 2 weeks before current DS-2019 end date.

Extend your current program

Students and visiting scholars who have continued academic engagement at UConn may be able to extend your exchange program beyond its current end date. Exchange students should consult with Gabriella about the option to extend a current exchange program. Degree students must have valid academic or medical reasons for needing the extension.  Visiting scholars must be able to have their appointments extended by the UConn hosting department.

More details:

Student Extension

Scholar Extension (Departments request the extension on the scholar’s behalf)

Start a new program

Current J-1 students who are admitted to start a degree program in the U.S. might be able to remain in the U.S. until your new program begins through either a transfer or matriculation process in SEVIS. Meet with your ISSS advisor for details. Visiting scholars who are invited to continue their program at a different U.S. institution may be eligible to transfer visa sponsorship to the new University.

More Details:

Students- meet with your ISSS advisor.

Scholars – ISSS J-1 Scholar Program Requirements (transfer information at end of page)

Deadline: Before current DS-2019 end date, or program completion date, whichever comes first.

Change to a different visa type

Students and scholars who are currently maintaining status, and are eligible for a different U.S. visa type may be able to file an application with the U.S. government to change visa status. If you are subject to the 212(e) home residency requirement, this option will generally not be available to you. We recommend that you work with an immigration attorney for guidance on this option.

More Details: Make an appointment with your ISSS Advisor.