This message was originally sent to students and scholars by email on May 28, 2025.

Dear Students and Scholars,

I’m writing to all incoming and current international students and scholars at UConn.  You may have seen recent news reports that U.S. embassies have been directed to pause new visa appointments for all F, M, J visa applicants while the government implements new standards for using social media to vet visa applications.

I’m writing to reassure you that the university and the ISSS are tracking these developments very closely and as soon as we have more information to share, we will communicate it with our new students and the university community.  We want to note that the directive seems to address the addition of new F/M/J visa appointment slots. NAFSA: Association for International Education, reports, “There are indications… that the temporary appointment scheduling pause will not affect appointments that are already scheduled but will affect unused appointment slots and slots that are normally added on a periodic basis.”  Given this uncertainty, if your appointment is denied or postponed, we ask you to report this to the ISSS here as soon as possible.  In the short term, if you need to schedule a visa appointment, continue to check the Consular Electronic Appointment system regularly for available appointments. We hope this pause is temporary, and we will continue to keep you updated as we learn more about the impact of this directive, as well as any future guidance concerning the directive.

Lastly, while not required, it is always helpful when students check in and let us know when their visas have been approved.  Please continue to share news of your successful visa interviews with the ISSS, and of course, reach out with any problems, questions, or concerns. We are here to support you.

Best regards,

___________

Arthur Galinat (pronounce my name)

(he/him/his)
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://international.global.uconn.edu
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

 

This message was originally sent to students and scholars by email on May 23, 2025.

Dear International Huskies,

Greetings and congratulations to all our international students who graduated this May.  We are so proud and hope that you keep in touch!
We’re writing to share some important announcements regarding employment, travel guidance and events and services taking place this summer.

Summer Hours
The CISS and all the ISSS Staff are available for appointments and to meet with students all summer long but we will have some changes to our operating hours.  CISS in Storrs and the ISSS offices in Stamford and Hartford will be closed this Monday, May 26, 2025 in honor of the Memorial Day holiday.  Many towns across Connecticut will host Memorial Day Parades that are open to the public and sometimes end with a picnic or barbecue.  This article lists all the parades happening in Connecticut, though it is organized by county.

CISS in Storrs is open Monday – Friday 8:30-4:30 but we are closed from 12:00-1:00 every day for lunch. Schedule an appointment with your ISSS Advisor.

ISSS Hartford is open for drop-in advising Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1:00-3:00 and by appointment.  Neena will be working remotely on Mondays and Fridays.

ISSS Stamford is open for drop-in advising Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10:00-3:00 and by appointment.  Lulu will be working remotely on Tuesdays and Fridays.

 

Summer Employment
Students working on campus at UConn are eligible to work full-time during official vacation periods.  Students working on-campus will need to resume working only 20 hours/week at the end of summer break.  Students looking for summer employment can search online here: https://studentjobs.uconn.edu/

Students engaging in any type of off-campus internship or employment need to make sure they have the appropriate OPT or CPT authorization before they begin any off-campus work.  The ISSS will continue to offer workshops on the OPT and CPT application process all summer.  You can see the workshop schedule online here.

 

Summer Events and Activities
In addition to OPT and CPT workshops the CISS in Storrs will be hosting several events this summer including some Halal Food Shopping trips, Newport, Rhode Island bus trip and some Spaghetti Suppers.  See upcoming summer events at CISS on the UConn Events Calendar.

Required Student Reporting
Did you move this summer?  Remember you must report any change of address to ISSS within 10 days of moving.  Report your address here.

OPT Students – Did you report your employment to ISSS?  You must report all new employment while on OPT to ISSS within 10 days of starting the job.  Report your employment here.

Will you travel abroad this summer?  If you are departing the U.S. you must report your travel to ISSS.  Submit a Travel Information Record to report your travel and request a travel signature every time you depart the U.S. Remember to submit a copy of your updated form I-94 Arrival record to the ISSS after you return from travel abroad.

Are you traveling inside the U.S. this summer?  The ISSS recommends that if you will be traveling by plane, bus or train, or if you will be away from campus for an extended period of time that you travel with all of your original immigration documents in the event you are required to present them to a federal officer to document your immigration status.  Lastly, the ISSS wants to remind all students to always keep a copy of their most recent form I-94 Arrival record and a copy of their form I-20 or DS-2019 with them in the U.S.  You can keep and digital copy in the photo gallery on your phone or keep a paper copy in your backpack.

Help us welcome new students to Storrs in August!
The CISS is looking for volunteers to help us welcome new international students to campus this August.  Volunteers are need starting Friday, August 15.  Find more information and sign up here.

Best regards,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat (pronounce my name)

(he/him/his)
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://international.global.uconn.edu
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global