This information was originally sent to all GAs on an F-1 or J-1 visa in December 2024 and will be sent out again before the end of the Fall 2024 term. If you are not graduating this fall, this information will not apply to you, but is still important to understand for the future.

Dear International Huskies,

Federal government regulations allow graduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold on-campus employment while they are pursuing their degree. If you complete your degree requirements during Fall 2024 and if your degree is conferred in December, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after December 15, 2024.

If you hold an Academic Year 2024/2025 or Fall 2024 appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is January 7, 2025. If your degree is conferred in December and you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and your assistantship appointment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Union (GEU), the time from December 15, 2024 through January 7, 2025 should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before December 15, 2024. You will still receive your full Fall 2024 GA stipend.

In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to December 15, 2024 if you are graduating in December and hold a GAship this term. This means your grace period to depart the U.S., or your first eligible date to begin post-completion practical training will begin December 16, 2024. Please plan for this accordingly. ISSS will adjust your I-20 or DS-2019 end date automatically based on notification that you have applied for graduation, or at the time you apply for post-completion OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students), whichever comes first. ISSS will notify you when your adjusted I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to download from your ISSS portal account later in December.

Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this change as it relates to your visa status, I-20, grace period, or practical training timeline.
Leslie M. Shor
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student and Scholar Services

This message was originally sent by email on 12/2/2024

Dear International Huskies,

The holiday season is approaching, which is a busy time for international travel. Before deciding whether to travel internationally, please read the following detailed information carefully. More than ever, it is important to follow all international travel procedures and meet with your ISSS Advisor prior to international travel if your proposed trip falls outside of approved travel policy. We encourage you to monitor the CISS website for up-to-date information.

Report Your Travel

You must report your travel to ISSS every time you depart the U.S.  Complete a Travel Information Record in the ISSS Portal before you leave the U.S.  All students must return to UConn by the start of Spring term.  We recommend returning to campus no later than January 19, 2025, so that you have time to move back into your housing and get settled prior to the first day of classes.     

Valid Travel Signature

All students and scholars need a valid travel signature before you depart the U.S.  The “Travel Endorsement” section on page 2 of your Form I-20 for F-1 students or the “Travel Validation” space on page 1 of your Form DS-2019 for J-1 visa holders should contain a signature from our office, not more than one year old as of the date of your intended return. If you need a travel signature this fall, see the options below.

All Students/ All Campuses – 1) Complete a Travel Information Record in the ISSS Portal. 2) Download and print the updated I-20/DS-2019 with travel signature and sign page one or pick up your documents at your campus ISSS before departing the U.S.

Valid Visa Stamp
You must have a valid visa stamp in your passport to enter the U.S.* (with possible exception for short trips to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands**). If your visa stamp has expired or will expire before your planned return to the U.S., you must make a non-immigrant visa appointment at a U.S. Consulate. If you need a new visa stamp, we recommend that you reconsider your travel during winter break as there may not be enough time to secure your visa and return in time for the start of spring term.  Consider traveling over summer break to make an appointment with the U.S. Consulate in your home country. Be aware that U.S. Consulates are busy this time of year and will be closed for U.S. and local holidays. As always, the issuance of visa stamps is at the discretion of the Consular Officers.
*Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement.  ** Please contact your ISSS advisor if you have questions about automatic visa revalidation.

Prepare for Reentry to U.S.

Every time you travel abroad and reenter the U.S. the CBP officers at the port of entry will evaluate your request to reenter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 visa holder. Be sure to travel with all the documentation we recommend in our Travel Advisory (passport, visa, paper copy of form I-20 with travel signature for F-1 visa holders, paper copy of form DS-2019 with travel signature for J-1 visa holders, proof of funding, official UConn transcript, class schedule for spring term, proof of teaching or research assistantship, proof of participation in UConn athletics, proof of employment or invitation to UConn for J-1 scholars).  Don’t give the port of entry officers any opportunity to question your legitimacy as a UConn student.  This means arriving on-time for the start of the semester and traveling with all your required documentation.  This means traveling only during vacation periods, not when school is in session. When possible, try to schedule your flight to arrive Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, this way the ISSS will be open should the CBP officer call. If you arrive after hours and the CBP wants to call the ISSS they should call the UConn Police at 860-486-4800   

Restrictions on Working Abroad

As a reminder, F-1 and J-1 students are not permitted to engage in remote employment while outside of Connecticut, this includes GA or TA work performed from abroad.  Students engaged in student labor on-campus employment may not continue working from abroad when traveling home.  Graduate Assistants appointed as RAs or TAs should plan to use time off and may not perform any GA duties unless their department has secured approval of an exception in advance from graduatedean@uconn.edu and potentially from UConn’s Export Control officer as well.

Download the myUConn App and Connect with ISSS

Follow these instructions to download the myUConn app and “Opt In” to communications from International Student and Scholar Services. If there are any urgent notifications we need to communicate, ISSS will push a notification through myUConn with instructions on how to get more information or what steps you need to take.

Thank you for reading this important information. If you have travel or visa-related concerns or questions after reviewing the above information, please email international@uconn.edu and an advisor will be in touch with you.

We wish you a safe and warm winter season.

Best regards,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat
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://isss.uconn.edu
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

This message was originally sent by email to all international students and scholars on October 8, 2024. 

Hello and greetings from the Center for International Students and Scholars!

We are about halfway through the Fall semester. On behalf of CISS, I wanted to check in to see how everyone is doing and send some important information about scams and checking in on your friends.

Scams are difficult to identify, but there are a few key pieces of information that will help you:
1. No one, including police from your own country, will ask you to use Skype, Teams, or a phone call to provide important, personal information. If they do, it is a scam.
2. You should never provide details on where you are going everyday to someone claiming to be an official from your country or from the US. If someone asks you to do this, go to the UConn police and report this or come to CISS and we will help you report this.
3. If someone tells you to not report something or not tell someone, then this is a scam and they are trying to trick you into doing something. It is never too late to stop a scam.
4. If someone texts you, calls you, send you an email, or a message that you that you have done something wrong and you will be arrested, that is a scam. Remember you are a victim and the police are here to help you.
5. If someone tells you what to say or what to do, this is a scam.

Verify: If you get a phone call you can always let it go to voicemail. CISS can help you verify if it is a scam. Never call back before verifying with CISS or another expert (in-person).

We would like you to take this time to check in with your friends. Is someone you know getting scammed? If anyone is sending money or information to someone else using Skype, Teams, email, text, or an app, now is the time to stop and report the activity. Your report will help others in the future. Please go to the UConn police and they will help you. The staff at CISS are always here to help you too. If you have any questions or if you would like to ask if something is a scam, we are here and you will not be in trouble. Please also remember to check in on your friends.
https://international-global.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2021/12/ISSS_170_Scams-Handout-DIGITAL.pdf

Regards,
Jeannie

Jeannie Slayton, Ph.D.
Director, Intercultural Programs & Support, UCAELI

UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Students & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Road Unit 1198
STORRS, CT 06269-1198
Phone: 860-486-8484
www.ucaeli.uconn.edu
www.ita.uconn.edu

CISS Services on Thursday, July 4, 2024

The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) will be closed for the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The 4^th of July is traditionally celebrated with backyard barbecues and fireworks displays.  Many cities all over Connecticut will have fireworks displays starting tonight.  Visit: https://ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-fireworks-2024  for more information.  For Storrs campus students one local July 4^th tradition is the WILI “Boom Box Parade” on Main Street in Willimantic.

Staffing Updates at the Center for International Students and Scholars

CISS is pleased to announce that the addition of two new staff to the office.  Fernando Rodriguez-Barberet recently joined UCAELI, UConn’s Intensive English Program, on June 14, 2024 in the role of Academic Program Administrator. Prior to joining UCAELI he worked as an English language and Intercultural Communication lecturer at Shanghai Normal University both online and in-person. He attained an MSc in Applied Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh and a bachelors in triple languages at the University of Delaware. As a multilingual educator with fluency in Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese and English, his passion for languages and language education is resolute. He has varied experience in curriculum design, language teaching and linguistic research in Asia and Europe, offering a global perspective on ESL related administration. He enjoys volleyball, ping pong, cooking, reading and is a big fan of the outdoors. You can regularly find him on a trail deep in the woods whether it be on a mountain bike or on foot!

We are also happy to welcome Hailey Winschel to CISS in the role of Administrative Assistant as of June 28, 2024.  Prior to joining the ISSS Hailey worked at the University of Hartford and with the town of Simsbury.  Hailey earned her BFA in photography from the University of Hartford, spending her junior year abroad in Seoul, South Korea.  Hailey speaks a little Korean and Spanish and she is an avid gardener. You can find Hailey at the front desk when you come to CISS. Please join me in welcoming both Fernando and Hailey to CISS and to UConn.

Best,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat
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

This message was originally sent to the international-l listserv on February 8, 2024.

Dear International Students and Scholars,

The tax filing season has begun and if you earned income in the U.S. in 2023 you are responsible to file a tax return by April 15, 2024.  Pay special attention to the information below.  The VITA program at UConn and Sprintax software are available to students and scholars to help you fill out required tax forms.  If you did not earn any income, but were present in the U.S. skip down to the bottom for instructions on submitting the 8843 form.

• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is an in-person tax preparation clinic run by trained UConn student volunteers and they will help you fill out your tax return documents. Register with the VITA program at the link below.  The VITA program will begin scheduling appointments in mid-February.  Please register with the UConn VITA website if you wish to be notified when the appointment calendar is open.  https://accounting.business.uconn.edu/vita-program/
• Sprintax is a software that specializes in nonresident alien tax returns.  UConn can provide you with a code to use to file your federal tax return for free but there is an additional fee to file your CT state return. To learn more visit: https://international.global.uconn.edu/taxes/ email international@uconn.edu with your name and student ID number.
• UConn Income Statements (W-2 form) will be available online at https://ess.uconn.edu/ navigate to Payroll > View W-2/W-C Information
  • If you are no longer employed at UConn and cannot log in to https://ess.uconn.edu/ please visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/
• If you had on campus employment and claimed the benefits of a tax treaty you will receive a 1042-S from the State of Connecticut in CORE CT by late February 2024.  If you are no longer employed at UConn and cannot log in to https://ess.uconn.edu/ please visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/. The 1042-S will be mailed to the home address listed in Core-CT.  You will need to wait to file your income taxes until after you receive this form. If you do not receive this form by February 29, 2024 visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/. 
• If you will be receiving a 2023 Form 1042-S for a scholarship or fellowship, UConn’s Tax & Compliance Office notified you by email on Thursday, January 25, 2024.  Check your email! Your Form 1042-S for a scholarship or fellowship will be mailed to the mailing address that is listed in Student Admin.  If that is not the correct address, please contact taxcompliance@uconn.edu  as soon as possible with your correct mailing address.

If you did not earn income in the U.S., but are a nonresident for tax purposes there is still one tax form you must file, the form 8843 – see below for information on how you can learn to file the form 8843.  https://accounting.business.uconn.edu/undergraduate/vita-program/form-8843-filing-instructions/

Watch a video with instructions on how to submit the form 8843: https://international.global.uconn.edu/taxes/

Best regards,

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

This announcement was originally sent out on April 19. 

Dear Students,
Greetings from ISSS! This message is going out to all students, but only applies to those students graduating in Spring 23.

Congratulations!  If you are graduating in Spring 23, ISSS will need to shorten your I-20 or DS-2019 end date to the end of the semester.  Your new end date will be 05/06/2023. PLEASE NOTE: your last day of on-campus work permission will be 05/06/2023.  You must stop working on-campus after this date.  Your grace period begins the day after on 05/07/2023.  If your most recent form I-20/DS-2019 has a future program end date, it will no longer be valid. If there is any chance that you will not finish by 05/06/2023 you must contact your ISSS advisor before this date.

F-1 Students:

Be advised that you have a 60-day grace period to remain in the United States before your F-1 status ends.  Your 60-day grace period starts from the date you completed your program as indicated above.

J-1 Students:
Be advised that you have a 30-day grace period to remain in the United States before your J-1 status ends.  Your 30-day grace period starts from the date you completed your program as indicated above.

Graduate Assistants Completing in Spring 23:

You can read more about the policy for GA’s last day of work here. This was shared with all students at the beginning of the semester.  Please work with your supervisor to ensure

that you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before May 06, 2023. You will still receive your full GA stipend for spring 2023, but the time from May 6 through May 22, 2023 will be treated as time off.

To process your F-1 SEVIS record, ISSS needs you to take one of the following actions before the end of your grace period:

1. Prepare to depart the U.S.- submit Program Update-Compete/Shorten Form
2. Request another form I-20 or DS-2019 to begin a new degree program at UConn – submit Continuing Student I-20/DS-2019 Request;
3. Transfer to another school to start a new program-submit SEVIS Transfer Out Request
4. Report a change in your non-immigrant status from F-1 to another visa status – submit Program Update-Change Visa Status Notification
5. Apply for work permission to stay in the U.S. and work in your major field.

F-1 Students: Apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the U.S. in your major field.  You must apply for OPT before you depart the U.S.

J-1 Students: Apply for Academic Training (AT) to work in the U.S. in your major field.  You must apply for Academic Training before your DS-2019 expires.

Please contact your international advisor if you require further assistance. You can reach us at (860) 486-3855 or by email at international@uconn.edu

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  We hope that all of our spring graduates found their time at UConn academically satisfying and personally fulfilling. Good luck with your future endeavors!

Best wishes,
___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)