Dear students,

November 2 is the University’s deadline to withdraw from a course. We want to remind you that if you are considering dropping a course that would leave you with only part-time enrollment, you must get permission from ISSS before you drop your course.

International students may be eligible in certain circumstances to take a Reduced Course Load and be approved for part time study. These circumstances are:

 

1) Reduced course load for academic difficulties, based on:

1. Initial difficulty with English language (first year of program only)
2. Initial difficulty with reading requirements (first year of program only)
3. Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods (first year pf program only)
4. Improper course level placement

 

An F-1 student can only be approved to take a Reduced Course Load for academic difficulty one time, per degree level, and you must maintain at least half-time enrollment. Please reach out to your ISSS Advisor if you would like to take a Reduced Course Load for Academic Difficulty and explain why your situation meets one of the above criteria for a reduced course load.

 

You must receive an updated I-20 with approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS before you drop your courses. 

 

2) Reduced course load for medical reasons

1. A student may request to take a reduced course load for medical reasons, covering both physical and mental health, if you have a letter documenting the condition from a Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist. If your medical provider does not have this designation, please ask the provider to have someone in the practice co-sign your letter.
2. A medical reduced course load can be taken for up to 12 months cumulatively, per degree level. You may drop below half-time enrollment for a medical reduced course load.

You must receive an updated I-20 with approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS before you drop your courses. 

 

More information and resources:

• Academic support resources and English language support resources
• Reduced Course Load application forms

 

If you are outside the United States:

Students who are outside the United States may have more flexibility to reduce their course enrollment.

 

• Students who began their program in Fall 2020 from their home country and do not yet entered the U.S. on your student visa for UConn are not required to study full-time. You may work with your academic advisor to drop courses as needed, without notifying ISSS.
• Students who were enrolled at UConn before Fall 2020, and returned home due to the pandemic, may choose to either apply for a Reduced Course Load based on the reasons above, or we can terminate your I-20 until you are ready to return to the United States. Then you will not be subject to F-1 visa rules for full time study. If you will give up your active I-20, you must notify your ISSS advisor before studying part-time. You will need to request a new Form I-20 to return to UConn for in-person classes. If you have a scholarship or other financial aid, you may still be required to keep full time courses.

Thank you and we wish you all the best for the rest of the semester!

 

Dear students and scholars,

We would like to remind you about international travel procedures if you are traveling outside the U.S. during the upcoming winter break.

Required Documents

All travelers on an F and J visas need to report their travel information to ISSS through the Travel Information Record. You can access the Travel Information Record and other travel information on this webpage.

 

To return from your trip abroad, you will need to present:

 

• An I-20 form or DS-2019 form, with travel signature signed within 12 months of your return date to the U.S.
• A passport valid at least 6 months into the future from your date of arrival. If your passport has expired while you are here, you may require a new passport or an emergency travel document to enter your home country. Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S. for more information on this process.
• An unexpired F or J visa (exception: Canadian citizens do not need a U.S. visa stamp)

 

It is also wise to carry academic or financial documentation with you to demonstrate you are a bona fide student or exchange visitor. Do not present these extra documents to immigration unless asked, and keep them in your carry-on bag (not checked luggage) in case you are asked to show further documentation.

 

Remember to submit your new I-94 copy, as well as any new passport or visa copies you receive, through the Immigration Document Update form when you return.

 

How to Request a Travel Signature

• Submit the online Travel Information Record to ISSS.
• If you are on an F-1 or F-2 visa, ISSS will issue your form I-20 electronically, with electronic travel signature from a designated school official, and you can download it from the ISSS Portal when complete. Then you can print a paper copy for yourself, and sign page 1.
• If you are on a J-1 or J-2 visa, we will issue for you a new PAPER DS-2019 form, with wet travel signature from a responsible officer. You can either pick this up from the ISSS office in Storrs when complete, or we can mail it to you. Sign the form after you receive it.

 

Current Entry and Travel Restrictions

• You can always review the latest entry and travel restrictions on the ISSS COVID-19 FAQ.
• Entry of F and J visa holders is still restricted for most travelers who are coming to the U.S., and were present in China, Iran or Brazil within the 14-days prior to arrival.
• J-1/J-2 visiting scholars (Research Scholar, Short Term Scholar, Professor, Specialist programs) who are returning from Schengen Area countries of Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and who have a visa that was issued without a National Interest Exception, must obtain a separate National Interest Exception from the U.S. embassy before traveling to the U.S.
• The Canadian/U.S. border remains closed through November 21 except for essential travel (subject to extension). While travel to resume educational activity has been considered essential, your travel may be subject to the border officer’s interpretation of essential.
• These entry restrictions and procedures are subject to change as conditions change worldwide; ISSS will keep you updated with future changes.
• If your visa has expired or will expire prior to returning, you must renew it prior to returning. U.S. visa services vary around the world. Some are offering routine visa appointments, and others do not.
• Due to the pandemic, please remember that all situations related to travel restrictions, flights, visas, etc. can change, both in your destination country, and the U.S.
• Contact your ISSS advisor with further visa questions related to travel.

 

Study Requirements for Spring Semester 2021

We want to remind you that the government still has not announced study rules for international students in the upcoming Spring semester. We will update you as soon as we know whether the government will continue to allow international students on F-1 and J-1 visas to engage in online study and maintain an active SEVIS record. We will update you as soon as we know their plans.

 

Students can download this travel letter if they wish to have documentation that UConn will offer courses through a variety of course modalities (not just online) for Spring 2021 semester.

ISSS has created a new resource specifically for students outside of the U.S. that includes a recording of the student meeting that took place on Tuesday, October 20, 2021 and options for enrollment for spring 2021 as well as challenges that students may face.

Visit: https://international.global.uconn.edu/for-current-international-students-who-are-outside-the-u-s/

 

Last Friday’s Stay Informed! International Students and Scholars Meeting is now available to view at this link. Unfortunately I did not record the first five minutes with the UConn writing center. The recording begins with introducing the International Huskies Writing Assistance program and the Global Gateways program coordinators, and then we cover an overview of the government’s proposed rule to replace duration of status admission for F and J visa holders with date-specific admission.

Please join us for our next meeting on Friday, November 6, for more updates.

For more information, contact: ISSS at international@uconn.edu

The USCIS fee changes that were supposed to take effect October 2 have been put on hold. If you have an application that you were planning to submit to USCIS on October 2nd or after, continue to use the same current fee schedule when submitting fee payment. This includes the following common applications submitted by F-1/F-2 students and J-1/J-2 exchange visitors:

• I-539 Application to Exchange, Change or Reinstate Status – Will remain $370 with $85 biometric fee, until further notice
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (e.g. for OPT, STEM OPT Extension or a J-2 EAD applicant) – Will remain $410 until further notice.

ISSS will provide updated information to you as we learn more about changes to the USCIS filing fees.

For more information, contact: ISSS at international@uconn.edu

Dear international students and visiting scholars,

 Today the federal government published a proposed rule change that could significantly impact how you and your family on F or J visas maintain  your legal status in the United States. The rule is currently in the proposal stage, and the public may comment on the rule in the next 30 days. The rule could be finalized, with or without changes, after the comment period.

 The proposed rule would change how F and J visa holders are admitted to the United States. Currently when you travel to the U.S., the immigration  officer does not define how long you are allowed to stay on your F or J visa. Instead, you are admitted for a period of Duration of Status (D/S), which means you may stay as long as needed to complete your program, provided you follow the rules for your visa, including updating your I-20 or DS-2019 forms to reflect program changes. The new rule would change this practice, by only allowing F and J visa holders to stay in the U.S. for a defined period of time, plus a grace period.  

 Under the proposed rule, if you cannot finish your program within your approved period of stay, you must apply for an extension of status  from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  This proposed rule also carries a number of related changes to F and J regulations, many of which impact how F and J visa holders apply for and receive immigration benefits. 

 While we know that this proposed change may cause alarm, please know that ISSS is working to fully understand the details of this rule, and  how we can best support you. ISSS will provide more detailed information about the proposed rule changes at Friday’s Stay Informed! International Student and Scholar Meeting, October 2 at 12 pm. The meeting will be recorded for those who cannot watch live. We will also provide more detailed information through future written communication. 

 We know that recent years have been extremely difficult for international students related to immigration and tolerance in the U.S. Please know you are a vital part of the UConn community, and while the changes proposed in the rule do not change your ability to study and work in the U.S., we are concerned that the rule would create additional hurdles to achieving your academic goals. ISSS will update you on actions taken by the University in response to this rule.

We have heard from some international students that they are not sure where they can study on-campus, or perhaps they need an on-campus space to participate in their online class, because it directly follows an in-person class.  There are now two ways to reserve study space on-campus in academic buildings or in the library.

All Campuses: Reserve Space in Academic Buildings

Check out this information and video on reserving availalble study spaces in Academic buildings through Nexus.

https://nexus.uconn.edu/secure_per/reservations/study_space.php

 

Storrs Campus: Reserve a Seat in the Homer Babbidge Library

Students can use this link to reserve space at the Homer Babbidge Library in Storrs.

https://lib.uconn.edu/services/reserve-a-seat/

For more information, contact: ISSS at international@uconn.edu

As we move further into fall semester, it’s so important to try and stay connected to what is happening in our UConn community.

ISSS wants to remind you that the UKindness website is a central resource for everything happening on campus and virtually, as well as tips for staying well during this time. Check in with the event coordinator if you have any questinos about how to participate!

https://kindness.studentaffairs.uconn.edu/

For more information, contact: UKindness at connected@uconn.edu

Dear F-1 students,

This Fall, ISSS is asking that all F-1 students who are applying for Optional Practical Training or Curricular Practical Training attend a practical training workshop before you submit your application to ISSS. This policy is in effect for all students who submit practical training applications during Fall 2020 semester, and may continue into the future, if successful. 

ISSS will offer a series of virtual workshops to help you learn more about the practical training options for F-1 students, and to help you meet this new requirement. You must attend the entire workshop to gain credit for attending that workshop. 

When you apply for OPT or CPT, we will check to see if you have recently attended a workshop on the topic. If you have not, then we will ask you to attend a workshop before we will process your application.

ISSS offers the following three practical training workshops. Be sure to attend the workshop relevant to your application:

Post-Completion OPT Workshop– for F-1 students who will soon graduate and apply for Optional Practical Training work authorization to work in the U.S. after graduation, or in the final stages of your thesis/dissertation.  

CPT and Pre-Completion OPT Workshop – For F-1 students who want to work or intern off-campus while you are still an active student, or who are enrolled in degree programs with clinical placements or other practical training at off-campus locations (paid or unpaid). 

STEM OPT Extension Workshop – for F-1 students who are already on post-completion OPT, and who are preparing to submit an application for STEM OPT Extension. Currently enrolled students who are in STEM majors should attend the regular Post-Completion OPT Workshop for their initial OPT application. 

Students who are not yet ready to apply for practical training may also attend the workshops of their choice, if they are interested to learn more about options for future planning. 

Find a Workshop:

• Visit the ISSS Events Calendar to find a workshop information and a virtual event link. 
• Workshops that list a specific campus in the event name are intended for students who attend that campus (the workshop information may be customized to the academic programs offered at that campus). Workshops that do not include a campus name in the workshop title will provide general information, not customized to a specific program.
  
• Law School practical training workshops are still being scheduled, and ISSS will announce those dates separately.
  

Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions.