Our friends at The Graduate School have put together a great FAQ for graduate students!

 

International Student and Scholar Services is now providing nearly 100% of services remotely. During this temporary change, we strive to meet your international advising needs and we thank you for your flexibility. Please read for important changes to our application processing and advising services, including remote advising, travel signatures, I-20/DS-2019 forms for new students, and other applications. Remember that all UConn international students, visiting scholars and OPT participants must complete the Remote Learning – ISSS Check In form during this time, and re-submit if your information changes.  

 

Remote Advising

ISSS will offer chat-advising through Office 365 weekday afternoons between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm.  ISSS advisors will be available on the following schedule:  

Monday:              Sarah Manning, Lulu Dong   

Tuesday:              Neena Kapoor, Rae Alexander   

Wednesday:      Jennifer King, Arthur Galinat   

Thursday:            Leslie Lawrence, Amina Kader  

Friday:                  Annie Casarella, Nadine Boudissa

• Go to https://email.uconn.edu/office-365/ 
• Click on Launch Office 365 (on right side).
• Use your UConn email and password to login. 
• Click on Microsoft Teams.
• Once in Teams, click on the Chat icon on the left.
• Click on the new chat icon at the top of the screen (looks like a pen on a paper).
• In the new chat window type the name of the ISSS Advisor on duty for the day you are chatting and type your message.  Be sure to include your full name and UConn student ID# to assist us.  Please be aware there may be many other students chatting at the same time and it may take several minutes to get a response.You are not required to contact your normally assigned advisor. Temporary changes to the advising schedule will be posted on the ISSS website.  If you need to schedule an appointment to chat with your advisor through Microsoft Teams outside of the scheduled hours, send your advisor an email with this request.  

 

Travel Signatures -Travel Outside the U.S. 

• Students and scholars who will depart the U.S. before normal operations resume should submit the Travel Information Record following these instructions and depart without getting the travel signature on the I-20/DS-2019. 
• We will temporarily waive the requirement to submit a full time enrollment verification. 
• If you do not have a valid travel signature on your current I-20 for return, you can select the option “I am traveling due to COVID-19 outbreak and I need ISSS to reprint my I-20″. 
• We will track your return date to the U.S. (listed on the travel information record) to ensure that your I-20/DS-2019 can be mailed to you before you return. 
• When normal operations resume, ISSS will send you an email asking you to select a shipping method and pay for express, international shipping to your address outside the U.S. This way you will have the I-20/DS-2019 for your return.

 

Initial I-20s/DS-2019s 

• ISSS will continue to issue initial I-20 forms for new students and initial DS-2019 forms for new exchange visitors. 
• Once complete, we will email you the information from your form (SEVIS ID and School Code or Program Number) so that you can fill out your DS-160 visa application form and schedule your visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate. 
• Please note that some U.S. embassies/consulates are not currently taking visa appointments. You should check the website for the U.S. embassy/consulate in your country every few days to see if appointments have opened up. 
• When you confirm your visa appointment date, send an email to the person who sent you your pre-arrival email, OR international@uconn.edu . This way we can mail your form to you in time for your visa appointment. 

 

OPT/STEM OPT Applications 

• ISSS will continue to process applications for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT. 
• Your advisor will send you an email with advising documents related to your application once your OPT has been processed by ISSS in SEVIS. 
• Your updated I-20 that you will need to mail your application will likely be printed several days later. When printed, you will receive an email when your I-20 form is printed asking you to confirm the shipping method and address. 
• Once you have your I-20 and other required documents for your application, you will be able to mail your application. 

 

All other applications 

• ISSS will continue to process all other applications. Please submit your applications through the TDS portal and they will be handled by an ISSS advisor or international services specialist. 
• ISSS will determine if the printing of your document must be completed now, or can wait until normal operations resume. We anticipate that the majority of documents will be printed later. 
• You will receive an email from ISSS after your document has been printed. You will be able to view and download an unsigned version of your updated I-20/DS-2019 through the ISSS Portal. 

 

Phone Calls  

• If you would like to make a phone appointment with your ISSS advisor, please email them to set up an appointment.They will call you at the scheduled time (U.S. numbers).
• The front desk phone line 860-486-3855 will be monitored during business hours, 9 am-5pm. If your phone call is not answered, leave a message with your name, UConn student ID number, U.S. phone number and/or email address.  Please speak slowly and clearly. If you have already sent an email to international@uconn.edu or to your advisor, please wait at least two days for a response. 

Message for UConn Academic Departments Hosting Exchange Visitors on J-1 Visas

(Visiting Scholars, Professors, Interns and Student Researchers)

 

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, ISSS recognizes that academic departments who host exchange visitors may be unable to assist new exchange visitors to settle in to life at the University. The U.S. Department of State has recommended that program sponsors temporarily pause the start of new exchange visitor programs through at least the next 60 days. Considering the Department of State recommendations, and out of concern for the welfare of our exchange visitors, ISSS will implement temporary changes to our J-1 program administration.  This primarily affects academic departments hosting new visiting research scholars, professors, and visiting research students. This may also impact incoming postdoctoral fellows and other temporary staff, if coming on a J-1 visa.

 

Program Start Dates

ISSS will only accept new visa sponsorship requests with a start date after June 1,2020. In some cases, ISSS may request that a program start date begin after August 1, depending on the exchange visitor’s home country and field of research, due to anticipated visa processing delays.

 

ISSS has already reached out to departments and exchange visitors for whom we have issued a DS-2019 form with a program start date before June 1.  We plan to initially amend those programs to a start date of June 1 to prevent exchange visitors from traveling to the U.S., and will follow up with individual departments to determine if this is an acceptable date, or if you would like to invite your exchange visitor to begin their program on a different date after June 1.  Hosting departments must still submit a formal amend request with a new offer/invitation letter establishing the new program dates.

 

Initial DS-2019 Form Processing and Mailing

ISSS will continue to issue new DS-2019 forms for exchange visitors with program start dates beyond June 1. When the form has been processed, we will contact the academic department and also email the exchange visitor with their SEVIS and pre-arrival information. With this information, they can schedule their visa appointment, if the U.S. embassy/consulate in their home country is currently accepting appointments. At this time, ISSS will hold the form in our office until normal operations resume. If the Exchange Visitor has a visa appointment scheduled in the near future and requires the form, we will mail the DS-2019 directly to the scholar, at their cost. Thank you for your flexibility.

 

Exchange Visitors and Overseas Travel

If your exchange visitor returns home out of concerns for safety and wellness, ISSS can either: shorten their program to indicate that they have finished their program early, OR we can keep the SEVIS record active while they are out of the U.S. We will temporarily waive the 30 day out of country rule for exchange visitors until after global travel warnings have passed; however this time overseas will be counted toward the exchange visitor’s maximum program length. Your exchange visitor should complete a Travel Signature Request in the Scholar/Employee Portal to report their travel and request a travel signature. They should also complete the J-1 Research Scholar Out of Country Request if they are traveling, and will continue their UConn exchange program overseas. Exchange visitors who continue their UConn programs overseas may require additional approval from OVPR to ensure the activity is permitted under export control rules. Exchange Visitors who are paid employees of UConn must also adhere to any leave policies during the temporary absence.

 

Remote Learning – ISSS Check In Form

ISSS has asked all exchange visitors to complete a Remote Learning-ISSS Check In form to let us know of the exchange visitor’s location and mode of activity (on-campus vs. remote). Please encourage your exchange visitors to complete this form.

 

Department of State Reporting Requirements

As a reminder, ISSS is required to report incidents to the Department of State that affect the health and safety of our exchange visitors. If you have any specific concerns about individual exchange visitor’s well-being, please contact rae.alexander@uconn.edu.

As the COVID-19 situation in the U.S. continues to evolve, ISSS has important information for international students, scholars and OPT participants.

 

International students

 

UConn has announced that courses will move to an all-online format for the rest of Spring semester.

 

If you decide to return to your home country:

 

• You must maintain your full-time UConn online coursework for the rest of the semester, unless you are otherwise approved for part-time study.
• If your online courses require you to participate in real time, then you will be expected to participate, even if during inconvenient hours (e.g. the middle of the night). You will also be expected to complete all work, despite anticipated technological difficulties such as internet firewalls in your country.
• 5-month rule: Normally there is a rule that international students on F-1 visas may not be outside the U.S. for more than 5 months and return with their current I-20/SEVIS number. Exceptions apply for students on approved study abroad programs. ISSS has asked the U.S. government to provide guidance about whether the 5-month rule will apply to students who return home now to complete coursework online, and return after more than 5 months. If the government says F-1 students may not be outside the U.S. more than 5 months, then we will need to issue you a new I-20 for return. You may still use your old, unexpired F-1 visa with the new I-20, even if issued under a different SEVIS number. We will provide more information on this when we have a confirmed answer.
• If you travel home you must research entry restrictions and arrival requirements for your destination city. ISSS has become aware that some locations will be requiring quarantine for all travelers, even citizens of the country. You must be aware of the arrival requirements for your intended destination.  
• We do not know when entry restrictions to the United States from other countries will be lifted. We also do not know if other countries will restrict travel to the United States. Therefore by leaving the U.S., there is uncertainty about when you will be able to return. This is a risk you need to consider. However, ISSS will advise you and support you to the extent that we can for your successful return.
• If your U.S. visa has expired, or will expire, before you return you will need to renew the visa while outside the U.S.  You may complete the DS-160 visa application and schedule your visa appointment at any time.  Some U.S. embassies and consulates are currently not taking visa appointments,  or are scheduling far in advance due to the COVID-19 situation. Contact ISSS if you are having difficulties scheduling your visa appointment.
• Complete both the Remote Learning – ISSS Check In form and the Travel Information Record, if you have not already done so. Bring your current I-20/DS-2019 home with you now, and ISSS will mail you a signed I-20/DS-2019 for your return after normal operations resume.
• Students who are graduating this semester will not be able to return with your I-20/F-1 visa after the semester ends. However, you might be able to return with your F-1 visa if you applied for post-completion OPT with the U.S. government before leaving, or if you have obtained a new I-20 to continue studies in summer or fall in a new program. You may be able to apply for a B-2 visitor visa or ESTA (visa waiver program) to return for a short stay in the future.

 

If you decide to stay in the U.S. for the rest of Spring semester: 

 

• Students who live on campus must make sure they have arranged to remain on campus by completing the proper forms with Residential Life. Residential Life will provide you with any information about housing and dining during spring semester. Contact livingoncampus@uconn.edu with your questions.

• You must notify ISSS of any changes to your address by completing the Remote Learning-ISSS Check In as soon as possible.
• Essential services such as medical services for both mental and physical health, are still providing services to students. Call the office or check the website of the service you would like to access to learn how you can get assistance. In the community, grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations, in addition to take-out food, will remain open. For other offices/services, check the website for the office/business you would like to visit.
• Please contact ISSS if you need any assistance during the semester. We will do our best to get you the help that you need.

 

OPT/CPT Students

 

• Students who are on OPT must complete the Remote Learning-ISSS Check In form by this Friday, and again after if there are any changes.
• The government has indicated that it is OK for training supervision to change from in-person to remote during the emergency period. Just be sure to report this change through the Remote Learning form to ISSS so that we can note it as a comment in your SEVIS record (not for printing on I-20).
• ISSS will hold any I-20s issued for employment changes (like change of employer) until normal operations resume, and you can access an electronic copy of the I-20 (without signature) for the time being through the ISSS Portal.
• Applications for OPT and STEM OPT will still be processed. While any advisory documents will be sent to you electronically, a paper I-20 with DSO signature will be mailed. ISSS will email you to confirm the mailing method/address after your document is printed.
• The 90-day unemployment rule still applies during this time for post-completion OPT participants (or 150 day for STEM OPT, including any prior unemployment time during the initial 12 months). If you cannot participate in your work/training, but still remain an active employee/trainee of the internship provider/employer, we will still report you as actively employed in your SEVIS record. If you lose your training opportunity, you must report it to ISSS as unemployment and it will be reported to your SEVIS record accordingly.

 

J-1 Visiting Scholars

 

• If you travel home due to concerns over Covid-19, the Department of State has indicated that we may maintain an active SEVIS record for you while you are out of the country, provided you will return to resume your exchange program after the situation calms.
• We will temporarily waive the 30-day travel rule for visiting scholars that would normally limit personal travel to 30 days or less. Submit a Travel Signature request through the Scholar/Employee Portal. Login with your email address and password (do not use your NetID to login). More information here.
• If you will intend to continue your UConn exchange program activity while abroad, you must also complete with your hosting academic department the J-1 Research Scholar Out of Country Request Form, and in some cases your research plans will need to be approved by OVPR for compliance with export control rules.
• If you are a paid employee of UConn, you will still need to adhere to standard employee leave rules.
• If you will end your program early, you must notify your hosting department and ISSS. Submit an End Program request through the Scholar/Employee Portal. Login with your email address and password (do not use your NetID to login).

 

We will provide another webinar/live chat at a soon to be determined date to take your questions related to these announcements. We hope that you are all doing well and staying healthy. Please let us know if you have any concerns or questions at this time.

Dear International Students and Scholars,

ISSS would like to provide you with important updated information regarding ISSS operations.

To reduce risk, we have decided to move all ISSS functions to remote services only, starting Monday March 16 until Sunday, April 5. This applies to all ISSS offices at all campuses. This will have important implications for advising and processing services.

Advising Services
Please contact ISSS by email with your advising questions. If an appointment is needed, we can arrange for this by phone/skype/etc. Email your ISSS advisor or international@uconn.edu and we will respond to you as soon as we can.

Processing
Most ISSS immigration applications can be submitted online through the ISSS website. See ISSS Forms. If you cannot find the application you are looking for, email or call ISSS (860-486-3855). Students and scholars who submit applications must check their UConn email daily for important updates.

Specific information about form submission and delivery can be found below:

Travel Signature Requests:
Continuing students and scholars who are departing the U.S. must submit a Travel Information Record to ISSS for each trip outside the U.S. ISSS will not require students to submit the Enrollment Verification with your Travel Information Record request during this period of remote service. If you are leaving the U.S., simply submit the Travel Information Record through the online form. You do not need a travel signature to depart the U.S.

Check your I-20/DS-2019 form to see if it already has a valid travel signature (signed within 12 months of your expected return date, or last 6 months if on post-completion OPT). Often students already have a travel signature, and do not realize it. If it does have a valid travel signature, select in the form “I do not need a travel signature at this time. I am just reporting my travel to ISSS.”

If you need a travel signature, select “I require a travel signature and will bring my original I-20/DS-2019 to ISSS.” in the form. However, because you cannot bring your form for signature to ISSS, we will reprint a new form for you, and arrange to have it mailed to your address in the U.S. (if you will not depart within the next two weeks) or outside the U.S. (if you will depart within the next two weeks). For international mailing or express mailing, you will need to pay for the shipping of your document – ISSS will email you shipping instructions when your travel signature is complete. For domestic mailing within the U.S. we will mail your document at no cost to you through USPS. If you dropped off your form to ISSS for processing last week and have not picked it up, we will contact you regarding mailing.

OPT and Program Extension Requests:
Students who are applying for post-completion OPT authorization should submit their application forms through the ISSS website. Remember, you must complete all parts of the application and hit the SUBMIT button before your application will be considered complete.

Once processed, ISSS will send you all advisory documents related to the application by email, and we will send your updated Form I-20 with OPT recommendation by mail. Remember, students must be in the U.S. to apply for OPT. We will mail the form using standard USPS mail unless you request express shipping, which would be at your cost.

CPT, Reduced Course Load and Other Requests:
Most other ISSS requests do not require immediate paper production. For all other requests that do not require an immediate paper I-20/DS-2019 letter we will send you the document electronically with ISSS signature, and hold the paper form in our office for pick-up at a later date.

Initial I-20/DS-2019 Forms:
Requests for new student and exchange visitor I-20s and DS-2019s will still be processed. We plan to mail all forms directly from the ISSS offices through express mail. We will send you instructions for paying the express shipping fees by email.

Students/Scholars who are Finishing their Programs Early/Finishing from Home:
If you will depart the U.S. and do not plan to return to complete your program here, or wish to end your program early, submit the Program Update-Completion/Shorten record. Submit this form only if you do not plan to return to the U.S. to continue on your visa. Do NOT complete this form if you plan to continue your program, apply for OPT, or begin a new program in Fall.

Thank you all for your flexibility during this time, and please let us know if you have further questions. We will continue to provide important information to you through both the International-L listserv and the ISSS Soapbox. If any of the above information changes, we will let you know as soon as we can. Please stay connected.

Link to slides from ISSS Spring 2020 Semester Live Chat

https://isss.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2020/03/Spring-Semester-2020-Live-Chat-1.pdf

ISSS knows that many international students may be wondering if they will be able to travel home for the summer as planned. Please consider the following information when making your decision for personal travel, especially if you are from a country that has been highly impacted by the coronavirus spread:

Traveling Home for Summer

If you are from a country highly impacted by coronavirus, there is a risk that flight, visa and entry restrictions could prevent your timely return to campus for fall semester. You must be prepared for this possibility, and communicate your plans and whereabouts to the University and to ISSS if you are unable to return by the first day of the semester.

If you are a current student considering travel to China or Iran, please note:

• Foreign national travelers who were in China or Iran within the 14-days before arrival to the U.S. are not currently allowed to enter the U.S. unless they qualify for an exception (for example, if you have a U.S. citizen spouse or child, or you are a permanent resident). We do not know when this travel restriction will be lifted. If it is not lifted before fall semester, you may not be able to return for the semester as planned.
• U.S. visa services in China are temporarily suspended. ISSS is aware of visa appointments currently available starting in late May. This temporary suspension could lead to a backlog of visa appointments this summer, and increased delays in getting an appointment. If you need to renew your visa in order to return, keep this in mind. If you are a graduate student or visiting scholar in a STEM field, you will have to consider the timeline for administrative processing of your visa in addition to possible delays in getting a visa appointment. While U.S. visa services are not offered in Iran, if the countries where Iranian students would normally apply for visas have also imposed an entry restriction for travelers from Iran, then it may be difficult to obtain a visa appointment.

Also, there may be countries in addition to China and Iran that impose their own outbound travel restrictions, or countries whose travelers may be restricted from entering the U.S. This could also delay your travel back to UConn.

If you traveled home to a high-risk country, you could also be subjected to a mandatory quarantine period upon return. You must plan your return travel to accommodate any quarantine period before classes begin.

Staying in the United States during summer

If you would normally travel home for the summer, but you are considering staying in the U.S. due to the coronavirus, here is basic information to help you plan your stay.

Immigration information

F-1 students are allowed to stay in the U.S. for your summer vacation as long as you intend to enroll as a student for fall semester. Make sure the program end date on your Form I-20 is not  does not expire before December 2020.

Coursework 

You are not required to take courses to maintain your visa status, unless your academic program includes a required summer term (most do not). However, you may take summer courses for enrichment or to get ahead in meeting your program’s degree requirements.  UConn summer session registration begins March 23, 2020. During summer session, you may also take online courses, which would normally be restricted during summer. Also, the tuition rate for undergraduate courses during summer is the in-state rate!

Students who wish to enhance their academic English could consider enrolling in the summer intensive English program at UCAELI.

Summer Session at UConn

University of Connecticut American English Language Institute (UCAELI)

Working 

International students may work in on-campus positions full time during the summer. To qualify, you must be working on-campus with UConn as your employer. You may also work for the Starbucks at the UConn Bookstore, or the restaurants in the Student Union. If you are unsure whether your employment is OK for your student visa, always check with ISSS.

To look for on-campus jobs:

Studentjobs.uconn.edu > JobX for UConn Students

International students may apply for “Student Labor” positions, not “Work Study” positions.

International students may NOT work in casual positions off-campus, or work for yourself (i.e. drive for Uber, deliver food for GrubHub, babysit, etc.). This is a violation of your student visa. If this will be your first time working in the U.S., you will need to apply for a Social Security Number. ISSS can assist you with this.

International students may also be able to do an internship in the U.S. over the summer off-campus. You must have either CPT or OPT authorization BEFORE you begin, and the internship must be directly related to your field of study. See your ISSS advisor for details. Even unpaid internships require CPT or OPT authorization. The UConn Center for Career Development provides internship listings, resources and counseling to help improve your internship search and experience.

Employment for International Students

UConn Center for Career Development  

Housing 

The University is exploring whether on-campus housing at the Storrs and Stamford campuses may be available in summer for current students who are unable to travel home due to coronavirus. International undergraduate students from countries highly impacted by the virus will soon receive an email survey regarding your summer plans– this helps the University to assess student need for housing and other on-campus services. It will be very important that you respond to the survey. If housing will be available on campus, we will let students know of the application process as soon as possible.

If you live off-campus, it will be important to know the terms of your lease, in-case you need to extend your rental period. If you will not be able to stay in your current rental, the UConn Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services office has resources to assist you with your housing search.

Changing addresses 

Remember, all international students must notify ISSS if you are living at a different U.S. address over the summer. You must update ISSS within 10 days of moving. Update your address by logging into StudentAdmin and updating the “Current Local” address field. You must notify us of any address where you will stay 10 days or more. For more information on how to format your address, visit the ISSS Update Your Address webpage.

Health insurance

If you stay in the U.S. for the summer, you must ensure that your U.S. health insurance coverage is also extended! Contact your health insurance provider for details.