Author: Nicki

Important Travel Updates

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Entry Restrictions for foreign national travelers

The Biden administration will reinstate the orders to restrict entry of travelers who were in Brazil, UK, Ireland and Schengen Area countries of Europe within 14 days before arriving to U.S., and add South Africa to the list of countries from which travel will be restricted.

Official orders to this effect have not yet been published, and it is still unclear whether students and exchange visitors who will travel from any of these regions will qualify for national interest exceptions for academic related travel. ISSS will update you as we learn more.

 Update: The proclamation was published and can be read here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/25/proclamation-on-the-suspension-of-entry-as-immigrants-and-non-immigrants-of-certain-additional-persons-who-pose-a-risk-of-transmitting-coronavirus-disease/ 

Also, Department of State have confirmed informally that the National Interest Exception that allowed F-1 students to travel from Europe, UK and Ireland automatically, and visiting scholars with J-1 visa by written approval, will remain in effect. The Department of State website lists up to date information, here.

Testing and Arrival Requirements

Starting tomorrow, January 26, COVID-19 testing will be required to board all international flights to the U.S. More information about this requirement, including an FAQ, can be found on the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

The CDC has also updated their federal (U.S.) guidelines for returning to the U.S. from international travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html

Remember, there are still state arrival requirements and also University arrival requirements (for students who will enage in on-campus activity) that may differ from the U.S. federal arrival requirements.

 

 

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

Start of Semester Reminders

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Spring semester has begun, and ISSS would like to remind all enrolled international students that you must study on a full–time basis every semester. Full–time means you are taking a minimum of:
 
·         Bachelor’s – 12 credits/semester
·         Master’s/PhD, with graduate assistantship – 6 credits/semester
·         Master’s/PhD, no graduate assistantship – 9 credits/per semester, or a 3-credit GRAD course considered full time
·         JD students – 12 credits/semester
·         UCAELI – Participate full time in your intensive English program, 22 hours/week.
 
Reduced Course Load for Last Semester
If you will graduate in May, and you need fewer than full–time credits to complete your program, you may request permission from ISSS to take a Reduced Course Load for Last Semester. Please submit this request by February 1. Link to application information and form: https://isss.uconn.edu/part-time-study/#reducedcourseloadforlastsemester
 
Can my classes be entirely online?
If you were an active student on an F-1/J-1 visa as of March 9, 2020, with the same SEVIS number listed on your current I-20/DS-2019, then you may study entirely online. 

If you arrived in the U.S. after March 9, 2020, or were here March 9, departed, and returned with a different SEVIS ID number, then your in-person engagement is required, and you should have at least one class listed as in-person, hybrid, or by arrangement.

You can review your SEVIS ID number on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 (the long number that starts with the letter N). Remember all classes will be online for the first two weeks of the semester – even students who are required to have at least one in-person class can participate remotely the first two weeks.
 
Check Your I-20/DS-2019 Program End Date
In addition to taking the full–time amount of credits, remember you must also complete all program requirements by the program end date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 form, and plan your courses accordingly. If your I-20/DS-2019 program end date falls within the Spring 2021 semester and you will not be able to complete this semester, you must request an extension of your program end date. ISSS cannot extend your program end date after it has passed, and you will be out of status if you do not complete, and also do not extend your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date.

Report any address changes

Remember to tell ISSS your new U.S. address, if it changed since you last reported your address, by following these instructions. Remember you must report any address changes within 10 days after you move. International students are also required to report any changes to your home country address within 10 days.

 

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

Proclamation Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry

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On January 20, 2021 President Biden revoked prior executive orders and proclamations that were imposed by President Trump, which had banned visa processing for travelers and immigrants coming from a number of primarily Muslim, then African, countries. The full proclamation rescinding these orders can be read here. The new proclamation also orders a review of visa applications currently pending that were affected by the prior orders, and applications that were previously denied on the basis of the prior orders.

While the executive orders imposed under Trump did not, in the end, directly affect most student visa processing, they created fear and uncertainty for our international students and sent an unwelcoming, xenophobic message to the world. They also prevented our students and exchange visitors from seeing family members whose travel plans were impacted by the orders. We are elated that these orders have been rescinded, and happy to step into 2021 on a more positive note.

Please note that the orders revoked in this Proclamation do not include those orders implemented after COVID-19, that prevent foreign nationals from entering the U.S. after traveling from certain specified countries (presently Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland and UK, and Schengen Area countries of Europe).

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

Proclamation Terminating Restriction of Entry

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On January 18, 2021 President Trump issued a proclamation that terminates the current restriction of entry to the U.S., of foreign nationals who were present in Brazil, Ireland, UK and Schengen Area countries of Europe prior to arrival, effective January 26, 2021. Read the proclamation here. This coincides with the day that prior COVID-19 testing will be required by airlines for all inbound international travel to the United States.

However, it is unclear at this time if the new Biden administration will allow the termination of this entry restriction to be implemented. ISSS strongly advises all students who are planning upcoming travel to the U.S. to continue to be mindful of updates to travel/entry restrictions, as the new administration could have a different public health agenda and recommendations related to travel, than the prior administration. ISSS will update students and exchange visitors with information related to the termination of the entry restriction for travelers from Brazil, Ireland, UK and Schengen Area of Europe, as it is confirmed.

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

New Student? Complete To Do List After Arriving

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Important reminder for new UConn students!

All international students on F-1 and J-1 visas must complete the New Student To Do list and Submit Arrival Documents online in the ISSS Portal after arriving in the United States, when transferring to UConn from another school or when starting a new program at UConn.

The deadline to submit arrival documents is January 19, 2021.Failure to submit may result in the termination of your SEVIS record and I-20/DS-2019. This is a requirement of your student visa.  

Remember – you must be enrolled in at least 1 in-person or hybrid class!

  • Transfer-in & Change Education Level students need to Submit Arrival Documents, even if you did not leave the U.S. this winter.
  • Graduate students approved for late arrival need to Submit Arrival Documents as soon as you arrive to campus.
  • Change of Status Students should wait to submit arrival documents until your change of status is approved.

In order to “Submit Arrival Documents”, you will need to save certain documents in electronic format (.pdf or .jpg). These documents are listed below:

  • Form I-20/DS-2019, signed by you at the bottom of page 1
  • Passport biographical page
  • Visa page in passport (unless you are from Canada/Bermuda)
  • Entry stamp in passport (where immigration stamped upon entry, if applicable*)
  • I-94 admission record.  Print or screenshot your I-94 – select “Get Most Recent I-94”.
  • Proof of Physical Presence in U.S. – Take a photo of yourself in front of a local CT street sign, your residence hall, or other CT landmark to prove you are physically in the U.S.
  • If you have accompanying family on F-2/J-2 visas, you must prepare the same files for them.

If you take a picture of your documents with your smart phone to upload in the ISSS Portal, this is OK, but you must be sure they are clear and easy to read.

If your plans have changed and you will NOT study at UConn, please reply to this message immediately to let us know of your cancellation, and destroy the UConn Form I-20/DS-2019 (do not use it to enter the U.S.).

If you will not arrive to UConn for Spring 2021 semester, but will come for fall 2021, do not Submit Arrival Documents. Instead, complete the SEVIS Defer-Request to Update I-20/DS-2019 Start Date, if you have not already done so.

Finally, for additional information, please visit our Spring 2021 Information & Resources page and our New Student Orientation page.

We want to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your prompt attention after you arrive in the U.S.

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

Other stories from the Soapbox for Monday, December 2

Are you a Resident or a Non-Resident for Taxes?

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One of the first steps you will need to take to prepare for tax season is to determine your tax residency.  This will affect the types of tax forms you will need to submit to the IRS and the types of treaty benefits you may be eligible for in the U.S.

While all F-1 and J-1 visa holders are nonimmigrants for immigration purposes, your visa status does not determine your tax residency.  Your tax residency is determined by a combination of your visa status and the amount of time you’ve been in the U.S.  In general F-1 and J-1 students are non-residents for tax purposes for the first five calendar years that they are in the U.S. (Note to students that arrived in the U.S. in December – this counts as your first calendar year for counting substantial presence!)

See the VITA program’s information on Determining Tax Residency and use their Substantial Presence calculator to determine if you are a resident  or a non-resident for tax purposes.

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

Tax Filing Information for International Students

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As 2020 comes to an end, international students and scholars should review information on tax filing in the U.S.

All non-resident aliens for tax purposes need to fill out at least one form for the IRS (Form 8843), even if you did not work or earn taxable income in the U.S.!

Students and scholars that did work or received a taxable scholarship or fellowship may additionally need to file a U.S. and a CT tax return in 2021.  Tax returns need to be filed between February and April 15.  ISSS will share information about how you can file your taxes either by participating in a free UConn VITA workshop or by using Sprintax software with a free code from ISSS.

Review the general tax information for international students and scholars here, including tax documents, tax treaties, income tax filing and more.

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

Connecticut Travel Advisory Updated

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Connecticut’s travel advisory was updated this weekend, which may impact plans for students and visiting scholars traveling to Connecticut from other U.S. or worldwide destinations. Here is an excerpt from the ISSS COVID 19 FAQ, which provides the updated information for travelers:

3. I’m traveling to Connecticut from another U.S. state, or internationally. What are my quarantine requirements? What should I expect at the airport?

The University requires all students living on campus to follow University quarantine rules. Students who live off campus who have on-campus responsibilities must follow university rules for testing before you come to campus. If you live off-campus, but you have on-campus responsibilities starting before January 19, contact SHaW at 860-486-4700 to learn about requirements or accommodations for being on-campus.

Quarantine and arrival rules are established by individual U.S. states. Check the latest rules for travelers to Connecticut, including a very detailed FAQ, on this webpage. Travelers who were present in all U.S. states other than Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey within 10 days prior to arrival to Connecticut, or who were present in any country outside the U.S. within 10 days before arrival,  must complete a travel form (available here), and must either quarantine for 10 days after arrival or submit proof of negative COVID test taken up to 72 hours before, or anytime within that 10 days after arrival, to break quarantine early.  To be exempt from the state of Connecticut self-quarantine requirement, submit a copy of your negative test result to  DPH.COVID-Travel@ct.gov.

Question #7 in the FAQ defines quarantine expectations for the state of Connecticut (where you can and cannot go during quarantine). Remember, if you live on campus, you will also be subject to campus self-quarantine requirements.

What to expect at Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, Connecticut).

What to expect at Logan International Airport (Boston).

What to expect at JFK International Airport (New York), LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airports

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

International Student Study Requirements for Spring 2021 (Distance Learning)

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ISSS has confirmed updated guidance from the U.S. government regarding international students and distance learning for the Spring 2021 semester.

Please note the following rules and requirements:

  • Current students who were enrolled March 9, 2020 or earlier: Students who were enrolled in a U.S. academic program on March 9, 2020 and have continued to maintain F-1 visa status may study fully online while in the U.S. Also, if you are studying full time from your home country, ISSS may keep your SEVIS record active while you are gone, even if your total absence exceeds 5 months.
  • Current students who arrived after March 9, 2020: Students who arrived in the U.S. to begin your program after March 9, 2020 were required to take at least one in-person or hybrid course during Fall 2020 as part of your full-time enrollment. In Spring 2021, this requirement continues, and you must have at least one in-person or hybrid course as part of your Spring 2021 full time course load.
  • New students for Spring 2021: Students who will travel to the U.S. to begin a program for Spring 2021 must have at least one in-person or hybrid course as part of your full-time enrollment.

Special Situations

  • Former students returning on an initial attendance I-20: Students who were present and enrolled in a program of study on March 9, 2020, but who have not maintained continuous F-1 status, and will return to the U.S. on an I-20 issued for initial attendance, should enroll in at least one in-person or hybrid course if returning to the United States for Spring 2021 semester.
  • SEVIS Transfer and Change Education Level Students: Students who are new to their UConn program for Spring 2021, but were in the U.S. on March 9, 2020 studying at another institution, or in a different UConn program, and have continued their F-1 status through the SEVIS Transfer process or Change Education Level process may study fully online while in the U.S.
  • Change of Visa Status Students: Students who are requesting a change of visa status to F-1 with an I-20 start date of Spring 2021 or earlier should enroll in at least one in-person or hybrid course as part of your full-time enrollment. While this situation is not directly addressed in the government guidance, we suggest you follow this, even if you were present and enrolled at a U.S. institution in another visa status on March 9, 2020.
  • J-1 Visa Students: If you are in the U.S. on a J-1 student visa for study, we anticipate the same rules will apply as noted above. We are still awaiting official guidance from the Department of State on this matter, but in past semesters the Department of State has mirrored the guidance for F-1 students.

 

Questions? Please contact international@uconn.edu and your message will be forwarded to your ISSS Advisor.

Updates to OPT litigation, H-1B Rules

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Great news for international students on F visas! On November 30th, a federal district court indicated they will deny a labor union’s ongoing litigation against the federal government, which threatened to overturn the post-completion OPT and STEM OPT benefits for F-1 students. This action means the OPT and STEM OPT benefits are no longer threatened by this lawsuit. More information can be found here.

Also, on December 1, 2020 a federal district court locked two new rules impacting H-1B visas from implementation, citing the government agencies behind the rules, did not have just cause to publish the rules without a notice/comment period. More information can be found on the NAFSA website.