The University of Connecticut has approved a new student fee for eligible active UConn students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

When will the Visa Compliance Fee be applied?

To accurately capture which students have enrolled, the fee will be applied to bills in two batches. The first batch of  students will receive the Visa Compliance Fee on their bill the week of 7/10/2017, and the second batch of students will be charged on the 11th day of Fall semester, 9/11/2017. All students will receive an email notification once the fee has been applied to their bill.

What expenses will the Visa Compliance Fee cover?

This fee will cover expenses associated with the University’s sponsorship of F and J visas for international students. It is not a government fee, or a fee tied to your individual visa application. For international students to study on a student visa, the University must sponsor your visa. This means UConn is responsible for maintaining your SEVIS immigration record, assessing and processing your applications for immigration benefits, providing advising to help you maintain your immigration status while supporting your academic and career goals, and reporting regularly to the U.S. government on the status of your visa. This requires adequate staffing, resources, and professional training, which will be met through the Visa Compliance Fee.

What benefits will I receive from the Visa Compliance Fee?

Direct benefits of the fee to international students include:

-Increased advising immigration support staff to meet your immigration processing and advising needs.

-Full-time international advisors based at the UConn Stamford campus and in Hartford to serve the new UConn Hartford campus, Graduate Business Learning Center and School of Law.

-The ability to continue providing walk-in advising services at the Storrs campus.

-Improved application processing time.

-Improved email response time.

-Improved application services, including web-based applications.

The $350 fee is charged as part of the required University tuition and fees for each semester that a student is enrolled, Fall and Spring terms only. Students who have been charged the fee but will not enroll in the next semester will have the charge removed after day 10 of the next semester. Payment for the Visa Compliance Fee will be due on October 15 for the Fall 2017 semester (Spring semester payment deadline TBD).

 

Who should I contact with questions about the Visa Compliance Fee?

Please contact the Bursar with any billing related questions at bursar@uconn.edu. Contact ISSS with any further questions at international@uconn.edu.

Please be advised of recent fee changes associated with applying for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) and J-1 Academic Training (AT).

1)      For F-1 students: USCIS will raise OPT filing fees effective December 23^rd, 2016. Applications postmarked or filed on or after December 23rd must include the new filing fee, or USCIS will reject your application. The filing fee for all I-765 applications for OPT (including pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT and OPT STEM extension) will be raised to $410 (from the current $380).

2)      For F-1 and J-1 students: The University of Connecticut will begin implementing a Post-Completion Training SEVIS Maintenance Fee for all F-1 and J-1 students who will apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (F-1) or post-completion Academic Training (J-1). This fee will be assessed at the time that you apply for post-completion OPT or AT, and will cover expenses related to maintaining your SEVIS record after you have graduated from the University. This fee will not be assessed for applications for pre-completion OPT or AT.  The fee will be $150 per 12 months of practical training that you are requesting. For example, if you are applying for 12 months of post-completion OPT, you fee will be $150. If you are applying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, the fee will be $300. Details on how to pay the fee are posted on the ISSS webpage OPT application instructions. For OPT applicants, this fee is in addition to the USCIS filing fee mentioned above. The Post-Completion Training SEVIS Maintenance Fee will be required for OPT and AT applications submitted for approval to ISSS on or after January 1, 2017.

Please contact ISSS if you have any questions about these important changes.

thanksgiving-flyer

The Olympic Torch
by Pauline Batista Souza da Silva, ’16 M.A.

As we all know, in spite of all controversy this year, the Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A Latin American capital we all know very well through the life stories of Pelé, Tom Jobim, Hollywood, Carmen Miranda and many other sources of the glamour 20th century entertainment brings.

Because eight years ago, me – from the Rio nobody shows in Hollywood (at least from an amicable perspective), a young woman who’s story has drastically changed, joined other 12 thousand Olympic Torch Bearers this summer.

I left the favela when I was 9 years old, moved to Paraty, a very charming town three hours away from Rio where my family has now become financially successful. I have always studied hard. I now have a bachelors degree as well as a masters degree and have already accepted a PhD candidacy offer. Nissan (one of the Olympic Games’ sponsors) found my story quite appealing and decided to make me an Olympic Torch bearer this summer. Precisely on July 27th, I crossed Paraty, bearing the torch and the hope for all of those who come from underrepresented communities in South America and who have ambitious dreams.

In Memoriam: ISSS remembers our former international student, Nataliya Plesha. We were saddened to hear of her recent passing, and will remember her for her warmth, humor and energy. In 2012, we asked international students to share with us photos that capture an important or significant moment from their life in the United States. Nataliya shared with us this photo from when she won a national award for teaching. She will be greatly missed.

 

http://dailydigest.uconn.edu/publicEmailSingleStoryView.php?id=59563&cid=24&iid=1932

 

7/1 Changes In The WRTD Bus Pass Program

The Center for Career Development is presenting two workshops specifically geared towards the international student job search.

Sign up for the workshop online at www.icworkshops.uconn.edu

 

Writing your American Résumé

Oak Hall 109

Thursday March 3^rd at 4pm

What employers look for on résumés varies across the world. Come learn best practices of writing and editing your first American résumé. We will go over how to structure your résumé, what content to include, and how to strengthen your bullet points.

 

Navigating the Spring Career Fair as an International Student

Oak Hall 101

Tuesday March 22^nd at 4pm

Career Fairs can be overwhelming; arrive prepared by attending this preparation workshop.  You will learn how to approach employers, what to say in your “elevator pitch,” what to wear, as well as tips and strategies for international students.

More information about travel can be found on our website: http://international.global.uconn.edu/students/current-students/current-students-travel-requirements/

 

 

SSN DAY FLYER Sp. 16