Message for new international students at the Stamford, Hartford, Law, Avery Point and Waterbury campuses

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Alexander, Rae

ISSS would like to share with you important information regarding arrival to campus for the fall 2021 semester to help you in your planning. Classes at all UConn campuses begin August 30, 2021. Please read the following information carefully to help you plan your arrival.

Student Arrival Dates

If you will live on-campus:

International students who will live in the Stamford campus residence hall move-in August 28 or 29; more details will be provided by Residential Life at a later time about the move-in process. Please contact livingoncampus@uconn.edu with any questions you have.

Living off campus:

If you will live off campus you may enter the U.S. with your F or J visa up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Please be mindful of any in-person activities or program requirements, as well as testing and quarantine requirements (see below) when planning your arrival date.

COVID-19 Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements

COVID-19 Vaccination:

The University requires that all UConn students be vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you have been approved for an exemption from this requirement for medical or non-medical reasons. Students who wish to apply for the exemption should submit the exemption request form by July 15. Links to the exemption requests form can be found here. Do not submit the exemption form if you plan to be vaccinated upon arrival to the U.S.

Please upload proof of your vaccination, even if it is not a WHO-approved vaccine, to myhealth.uconn.edu as soon as you are able to, and no later than July 31 (when possible). More information on the University’s vaccination requirement can be found here.

COVID-19 testing:

After international travel:

All international students who fly to the U.S. from another country are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to fly to the United States. Learn more here. Please also submit proof of your negative COVID-19 test result to myhealth.uconn.edu. Upon arrival in the U.S., you should be tested again, and then again 5-7 days after arrival. We will provide you with more information on how to obtain a COVID-19 test in your community.

Residential students who are not yet fully vaccinated, no international travel:

Students who are not fully vaccinated, but will live on campus and did not travel from outside the U.S., must also be tested prior to arrival, upon arrival, and within 5-7 days after arrival.

Quarantine:

Your vaccination status will determine if you will need to quarantine upon arrival to the U.S. or arrival to campus, whichever comes first.

Quarantine Scenario 1: If you are fully vaccinated, living on-campus or off-campus:

Quarantine is not required. If you traveled from an international destination, you will still need pre-arrival testing, arrival testing, and testing 5-7 days after arrival for COVID-19 (as described above) and monitor for symptoms.

Quarantine Scenario 2: If you are not fully vaccinated, and arrive from a U.S. location, or from an international location that is not subject to geographic entry-restriction*:

Students living on campus:

In addition to the COVID-19 testing described above, you will need to follow a modified residential quarantine for 7 days. During the modified quarantine:

Students are permitted to attend class and participate in essential research functions conducted at UConn.
Students in clinical rotations should follow the recommendations of their clinical setting.
No close contacts (<6 ft. for >15 min) outside defined residential pod.
Continue to wear masks, physically distance, and avoid crowds and social gatherings.
May leave primary residence for Dining Hall take-out service.
May engage in outdoor activities by yourself or with members of defined residential pod.
May participate in limited, university sponsored, socially distanced outdoor activities.
No prolonged indoor activity outside of primary residence other than to attend class, engage in essential research, and access take-out food service.
Adhere to all control measures advised by the university.
Daily symptom check during the modified quarantine period.
May leave primary residence to obtain medical care and participate in required testing for COVID-19.

Students living off-campus:

Follow the modified quarantine guidelines above for seven days (but in your off-campus residence), or ten days if you are unable to follow the COVID-19 testing schedule after arrival.

Quarantine Scenario 3: If you are not fully vaccinated, and arrive after international travel from a country subject to entry-restriction*:

Students living on campus:

In addition to the COVID-19 testing described above, you will need to follow a medical quarantine for 7 days after arrival to the U.S. If you arrive in the U.S. before your move-in date, you should complete the 7-day quarantine and related COVID-19 testing before you move into your on-campus housing and upload your testing results to SHaW. Otherwise you may complete the medical quarantine on-campus.

During the 7-day medical quarantine:

You will live in temporary housing for residential quarantine.
No close contacts (<6 ft. for >15 min).
May only leave primary residence for Dining Hall take-out service.
No in person class attendance. If you must miss classes due to quarantine, the University will support you to remain engaged with your coursework.
No in-person work attendance.
Daily active monitoring of temperature (2x/day) and daily symptom check
Testing for COVID-19 day 5-7 after arrival from an entry restricted country.
May leave primary residence to obtain medical care and participate in required testing for COVID-19.

Students living off-campus:

Follow the general medical quarantine guidelines above for seven days (but in your off-campus residence), or ten days if you are unable to follow COVID-19 testing schedule after arrival.

*Entry restricted countries as of June 2021: Brazil, China, India, Iran, South Africa, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Schengen Area countries of Europe, which are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Summary of Arrival, Testing, and Quarantine Policy

Travel description:	Covid-19 Testing	Quarantine	Arrival Date- Living On Campus	Arrival Date- Living Off Campus
Domestic travel:	Fully Vaccinated: None required Not fully vaccinated: Pre-arrival, upon arrival and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None required Not fully vaccinated: Modified quarantine for 7 days	Early Arrival: To be confirmed Standard Arrival: August 28-29	If you are already in the U.S. on an F or J visa, you may arrive at any point in summer, by your program start date.
International travel (not traveling from an entry restricted country):	All students: Pre-arrival, upon arrival, and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None Not fully vaccinated: Modified quarantine for 7 days	Early Arrival: To be confirmed Standard Arrival: August 28-29	You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date on I-20.
International travel from entry-restricted country:	All students: Pre-arrival, upon arrival, and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None Not fully vaccinated: Medical quarantine for 7 days	Early Arrival: To be confirmed Standard Arrival: August 28-29	You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date on I-20. If not fully vaccinated, arrive at least 7-10 days before classes begin.

What to do next:

We know that you probably have a lot of questions about your situation. Please attend a live webinar to learn more about arrival and returning to campus, and ask your questions to SHaW, Res Life, and ISSS staff.

When: Tuesday, July 6 at 8:30 am – 9:30 am, EST.

Link to meeting:

https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/uconn-cmr/onstage/g.php?MTID=e277313e6e231215f85ab85d960f36f70

Event number 120 869 7786

Event password: UConn2021

Upload your COVID-19 vaccination record status, even if you are not yet fully vaccinated to uconn.edu by July 31 (when possible). Contact studenthealth@uconn.edu with any questions. Check your myhealth.uconn.edu portal for response from Student Health Services (for your privacy).
Fill out your ISSS Fall 2021 Study Plan, if you have not already done so. Please also complete this form if you will not study in-person for fall 2021.

Message for new international graduate students at Storrs campus

Posted on June 30, 2021June 30, 2021 by Alexander, Rae

International Graduate Student Welcome Program

ISSS invites new graduate students at the Storrs campus to attend the International Graduate Student Welcome Program on Monday, August 23. This program complements your online international student orientation, and will include both in-person and virtual elements. This includes graduate students who began their program abroad, and who will arrive at UConn for the first time in the fall.

Students who are fully vaccinated may participate fully in the International Graduate Student Welcome Program. Students who are not fully vaccinated may likely participate in only some aspects of the orientation program. We strongly encourage all new international graduate students at Storrs to attend this program, which will help orient you to life at UConn and meet others. We will provide more details to you regarding the International Graduate Student Welcome Program soon.

Student Arrival Dates

If you will live on-campus:

New international graduate students living on-campus at Storrs may move into their room early, on Friday, August 13. There is an extra charge/fee associated with early move-in, and specific details about how to sign up and the cost for early move-in will be provided to you by Residential Life. New international graduate students who cannot move-in on August 13 should follow the standard move-in calendar, posted here. New graduate students who cannot arrive for the early move-in date can move in August 28 or 29. Contact livingoncampus@uconn.edu with any on-campus housing questions.

Living off campus:

If you will live off campus you may enter the U.S. with your F or J visa up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. If you are a Storrs campus student and you will attend the International Graduate Student Welcome Program, please arrive by August 24. If you will not be fully vaccinated, you should arrive at least 7 days before the International Graduate Student Welcome Program to fully participate, or at least 7 days before classes begin, and follow all guidelines listed in this email regarding testing and quarantine.

Airport shuttle:

ISSS will sponsor an airport shuttle for students from Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, Connecticut) to Storrs, Connecticut on the following dates:

Friday, August 13, 2021

Sunday, August 14, 2021

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 – drop off at UConn Storrs campus only.

ISSS will provide more information about the airport shuttle, and a form to sign up for the shuttle, very soon.

COVID-19 Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements

COVID-19 Vaccination:

You are considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after completing a full course of a vaccination approved by the World Health Organization. If you are unable to be fully vaccinated in your country, the University will allow you to get your vaccination when you arrive. Students who need to be vaccinated upon arrival can register for an open appointment with the on-campus vaccination clinic starting in August. As an international student, you will be allowed to move to Storrs campus residence halls on the designated early arrival day of August 24 even if you are not fully vaccinated, but you will need to follow all guidelines described below.

Please upload proof of your vaccination status, even if you are not yet fully vaccinated and even if it is not a WHO-approved vaccine, to myhealth.uconn.edu as soon as you are able to, and no later than July 31 (when possible). If you will not have access to a WHO approved vaccination upon arrival, do not apply for the vaccination exemption. Instead, register for a vaccination appointment when available. More information on the University’s vaccination requirement can be found here.

COVID-19 testing:

After international travel:

All international students who fly to the U.S. from another country are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to fly to the United States. Learn more here. Please also submit proof of your negative COVID-19 test result to myhealth.uconn.edu. Upon arrival in the U.S., you should be tested again, and then again 5-7 days after arrival. Students who attend the Storrs campus can be tested through on-campus student health and wellness (SHaW) services.

Residential students who are not yet fully vaccinated, no international travel:

Students who are not fully vaccinated, but will live on campus and did not travel from outside the U.S., must also be tested prior to arrival, upon arrival, and within 5-7 days after arrival.

Quarantine:

Your vaccination status will determine if you will need to quarantine upon arrival to the U.S. or arrival to campus, whichever comes first.

Quarantine Scenario 1: If you are fully vaccinated, living on-campus or off-campus:

Quarantine Scenario 2: If you are not fully vaccinated, and arrive from a U.S. location, or from an international location that is not subject to geographic entry-restriction*:

Students living on campus:

In addition to the COVID-19 testing described above, you will need to follow a modified residential quarantine for 7 days. During the modified quarantine:

Students are permitted to attend class and participate in essential research functions conducted at UConn.
Students in clinical rotations should follow the recommendations of their clinical setting.
No close contacts (<6 ft. for >15 min) outside defined residential pod.
Continue to wear masks, physically distance, and avoid crowds and social gatherings.
May leave primary residence for Dining Hall take-out service.
May engage in outdoor activities by yourself or with members of defined residential pod.
May participate in limited, university sponsored, socially distanced outdoor activities.
No prolonged indoor activity outside of primary residence other than to attend class, engage in essential research, and access take-out food service.
Adhere to all control measures advised by the university.
Daily symptom check during the modified quarantine period.
May leave primary residence to obtain medical care and participate in required testing for COVID-19.

Students living off-campus:

Follow the modified quarantine guidelines above for seven days (but in your off-campus residence), or ten days if you are unable to follow the COVID-19 testing schedule after arrival.

Quarantine Scenario 3: If you are not fully vaccinated, and arrive after international travel from a country subject to entry-restriction*:

Students living on campus:

During the 7-day medical quarantine:

You will live in temporary housing for residential quarantine.
No close contacts (<6 ft. for >15 min).
May only leave primary residence for Dining Hall take-out service.
No in person class attendance. If you must miss classes due to quarantine, the University will support you to remain engaged with your coursework.
No in-person work attendance.
Daily active monitoring of temperature (2x/day) and daily symptom check
Testing for COVID-19 day 5-7 after arrival from an entry restricted country.
May leave primary residence to obtain medical care and participate in required testing for COVID-19.

Students living off-campus:

Follow the general medical quarantine guidelines above for seven days (but in your off-campus residence), or ten days if you are unable to follow COVID-19 testing schedule after arrival.

Summary of Arrival, Testing, and Quarantine Policy

Travel description:	Covid-19 Testing	Quarantine	Arrival Date- Living On Campus	Arrival Date- Living Off Campus
Domestic travel:	Fully Vaccinated: None required Not fully vaccinated: Pre-arrival, upon arrival and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None required Not fully vaccinated: Modified quarantine for 7 days	Early arrival: August 13 Standard arrival: August 28-29	If you are already in the U.S. on an F or J visa, you may arrive at any point in summer, by your program start date.
International travel (not traveling from an entry restricted country):	All students: Pre-arrival, upon arrival, and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None Not fully vaccinated: Modified quarantine for 7 days	Early arrival: August 13 Standard arrival: August 28-29	You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date on I-20.
International travel from entry-restricted country:	All students: Pre-arrival, upon arrival, and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None Not fully vaccinated: Medical quarantine for 7 days	Early arrival: August 13 Standard arrival: August 28-29	You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date on I-20. If not fully vaccinated, arrive at least 7-10 days before classes begin.

What to do next:

We know that you probably have a lot of questions about your situation. Please attend a live webinar to learn more about arrival and returning to campus, and ask your questions to SHaW, Res Life, and ISSS staff.

When: Tuesday, July 6 at 8:30 am – 9:30 am, EST.

Link to meeting:

https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/uconn-cmr/onstage/g.php?MTID=e277313e6e231215f85ab85d960f36f70

Event number 120 869 7786

Event password: UConn2021

Upload your COVID-19 vaccination record status, even if you are not yet fully vaccinated to uconn.edu by July 31 (when possible). Contact studenthealth@uconn.edu with any questions. Check your myhealth.uconn.edu portal for response from Student Health Services (for your privacy).
Fill out your ISSS Fall 2021 Study Plan, if you have not already done so. Please also complete this form if you will not study in-person for fall 2021.
Watch for emails from ISSS with a link to fill out a new student arrival form. In this form you will confirm your arrival date, request early arrival, and register for the new student welcome program and airport shuttle.

Message for new international undergraduate students at Storrs campus

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Alexander, Rae

International Student Welcome Program

ISSS invites new international undergraduate students to attend the International Student Welcome Program starting Tuesday, August 24. This program complements your online orientation program, and will include both in-person and virtual elements. Students who began their program abroad, and who will arrive at UConn for the first time in the fall are also invited to attend the International Student Welcome Program.

Students who are fully vaccinated may participate fully in the International Student Welcome Program. Students who are not fully vaccinated may participate in only some aspects of the welcome program, but can still arrive early, with certain conditions. We strongly encourage all new international undergraduates at Storrs to attend this program, which will help orient you to life at UConn and meet others. We will provide more details to students regarding the New Student Welcome Program soon.

Student Arrival Dates

If you will live on-campus:

New international students living on-campus at Storrs may move into their room early, on Tuesday, August 24, to attend the International Student Welcome Program.

New international students who cannot move-in on August 24 should follow the standard move-in calendar, posted here. Students admitted for Fall 2021 semester move in Friday, August 27. All other students sign up for a move-in time on August 28 or 29 – more details will be provided by Residential Life at a later time. Please contact livingoncampus@uconn.edu with any questions you have.

Living off campus:

If you will live off campus you may enter the U.S. with your F or J visa up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. If you plan to attend the New Student Welcome Program, you must arrive by August 24. If you will not be fully vaccinated, you should arrive at least 7 days before the New Student Welcome Program to fully participate, or at least 7 days before classes begin, and follow all guidelines listed in this email regarding testing and quarantine.

Airport shuttle:

ISSS will sponsor an airport shuttle for students from Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, Connecticut) to Storrs, Connecticut on the following dates:

Friday, August 13, 2021

Saturday, August 14, 2021

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 – drop off at UConn Storrs campus only.

ISSS will provide more information about the airport shuttle, and a form to sign up for the shuttle, very soon.

COVID-19 Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements

COVID-19 Vaccination:

The University requires that all UConn students be vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you have been approved for an exemption from this requirement for medical or non-medical reasons. Students who wish to apply for the exemption should submit the exemption request form by July 15. Links to the exemption request forms can be found here. Do not submit the exemption form if you plan to be vaccinated upon arrival to the U.S.

You are considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after completing a full course of a vaccination approved by the World Health Organization. If you are unable to be fully vaccinated in your country, the University will allow you to get your vaccination when you arrive. Students who need to be vaccinated upon arrival can register for an open appointment with our on-campus vaccination clinic starting in August. As an international student, you will be allowed to move to Storrs campus residence halls on the designated early arrival day of August 24 even if you are not fully vaccinated, but you will need to follow all guidelines described below.

Please upload proof of your vaccination, status, even if you are not yet fully vaccinated and even if it is not a WHO-approved vaccine, to myhealth.uconn.edu as soon as you are able to, and no later than July 31 (when possible). If you will not have access to a WHO approved vaccination upon arrival, do not apply for the vaccination exemption. Instead, register for a vaccination appointment when available. More information on the University’s vaccination requirement can be found here.

COVID-19 testing:

After international travel:

All international students who fly to the U.S. from another country are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to fly to the United States. Learn more here. Please also submit proof of your negative COVID-19 test result to myhealth.uconn.edu. Upon arrival in the U.S., you should be tested again, and then again 5-7 days after arrival. Students who attend the Storrs campus can be tested through on-campus student health and wellness (SHaW) services.

Residential students who are not yet fully vaccinated, no international travel:

Students who are not fully vaccinated, but will live on campus and did not travel from outside the U.S., must also be tested prior to arrival, upon arrival, and within 5-7 days after arrival.

Quarantine:

Your vaccination status will determine if you will need to quarantine upon arrival to the U.S. or arrival to campus, whichever comes first.

Quarantine Scenario 1: If you are fully vaccinated, living on-campus or off-campus:

Quarantine Scenario 2: If you are not fully vaccinated, and arrive from a U.S. location, or from an international location that is not subject to geographic entry-restriction*:

Students living on campus:

In addition to the COVID-19 testing described above, you will need to follow a modified residential quarantine for 7 days. During the modified quarantine:

Students are permitted to attend class and participate in essential research functions conducted at UConn.
Students in clinical rotations should follow the recommendations of their clinical setting.
No close contacts (<6 ft. for >15 min) outside defined residential pod.
Continue to wear masks, physically distance, and avoid crowds and social gatherings.
May leave primary residence for Dining Hall take-out service.
May engage in outdoor activities by yourself or with members of defined residential pod.
May participate in limited, university sponsored, socially distanced outdoor activities.
No prolonged indoor activity outside of primary residence other than to attend class, engage in essential research, and access take-out food service.
Adhere to all control measures advised by the university.
Daily symptom check during the modified quarantine period.
May leave primary residence to obtain medical care and participate in required testing for COVID-19.

Students living off-campus:

Follow the modified quarantine guidelines above for seven days (but in your off-campus residence), or ten days if you are unable to follow the COVID-19 testing schedule after arrival.

Quarantine Scenario 3: If you are not fully vaccinated, and arrive after international travel from a country subject to entry-restriction*:

Students living on campus:

During the 7-day medical quarantine:

You will live in temporary housing for residential quarantine.
No close contacts (<6 ft. for >15 min).
May only leave primary residence for Dining Hall take-out service.
No in person class attendance. If you must miss classes due to quarantine, the University will support you to remain engaged with your coursework.
No in-person work attendance.
Daily active monitoring of temperature (2x/day) and daily symptom check
Testing for COVID-19 day 5-7 after arrival from an entry restricted country.
May leave primary residence to obtain medical care and participate in required testing for COVID-19.

Students living off-campus:

Follow the general medical quarantine guidelines above for seven days (but in your off-campus residence), or ten days if you are unable to follow COVID-19 testing schedule after arrival.

Summary of Arrival, Testing, and Quarantine Policy

Travel description:	Covid-19 Testing	Quarantine	Arrival Date- Living On Campus	Arrival Date- Living Off Campus
Domestic travel:	Fully Vaccinated: None required Not fully vaccinated: Pre-arrival, upon arrival and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None required Not fully vaccinated: Modified quarantine for 7 days	Early arrival: August 24 Standard arrival: Freshmen: August 27 Continuing students: August 28-29	If you are already in the U.S. on an F or J visa, you may arrive at any point in summer, by your program start date.
International travel (not traveling from an entry restricted country):	All students: Pre-arrival, upon arrival, and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None Not fully vaccinated: Modified quarantine for 7 days	Early arrival: August 24 Standard arrival: Freshmen: August 27 Continuing students: August 28-29	You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date on I-20.
International travel from entry-restricted country:	All students: Pre-arrival, upon arrival, and 5-7 days after arrival	Fully vaccinated: None Not fully vaccinated: Medical quarantine for 7 days	Early arrival: August 24 Standard arrival: Freshmen: August 27 Continuing students: August 28-29	You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date on I-20. If not fully vaccinated, arrive at least 7-10 days before classes begin.

What to do next:

We know that you probably have a lot of questions about your situation. Please attend a live webinar to learn more about arrival and returning to campus, and ask your questions to SHaW, Res Life, and ISSS staff.

When: Tuesday, July 6 at 8:30 am – 9:30 am, EST.

Link to meeting:

https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/uconn-cmr/onstage/g.php?MTID=e277313e6e231215f85ab85d960f36f70

Event number 120 869 7786

Event password: UConn2021

Upload your COVID-19 vaccination record status, even if you are not yet fully vaccinated to uconn.edu by July 31 (when possible). Contact studenthealth@uconn.edu with any questions. Check your myhealth.uconn.edu portal for response from Student Health Services (for your privacy).
Fill out your ISSS Fall 2021 Study Plan, if you have not already done so. Please also complete this form if you will not study in-person for fall 2021.
Watch for emails from ISSS with a link to fill out a new student arrival form. In this form you will confirm your arrival date, request early arrival, and register for the new student welcome program and airport shuttle.

ISSS will be closed Monday, May 31

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Nicki

Dear students and scholars,

The ISSS office will be closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday for both in-person and virtual services. Thank you and we look forward to helping you on Tuesday.

Review of National Interest Exception and Travel from Geographic Entry Restricted Countries

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Nicki

Dear students and exchange visitors,

We are writing to provide you with an update on the travel National Interest Exception (NIE) for students and exchange visitors located in Brazil, China, India, Iran, and South Africa, Schengen Area of Europe, the UK, and Ireland. The national interest exception announcement has been updated on the Department of State website to include language about traveling dependents and OPT participants and can be found here. Please note that although the announcement does not list India, a separate Department of State announcement confirms that India is included among the NIE eligible countries for academic travel, falling under the same conditions as individuals located in Brazil, China, Iran, and South Africa.

The announcement language is still ambiguous, but we have now had the opportunity to experience how the U.S. embassy is interpreting the NIE process. Based on the latest information, we are providing you with the current ISSS interpretation of the NIE announcement and recommendations for travelers. If this interpretation changes, we will update you.

Students and Exchange Visitors located in Brazil, China, India, Iran, and South Africa

Students coming to the U.S. to begin or continue studies with a new initial I-20 or DS-2019 are eligible to travel under the NIE if the program start date listed your form is August 1, 2021, or later. The earliest you may enter the U.S. is 30 days before your program start date. Students do not need to worry if remarks on your I-20 refer to prior study in your home country, as this does not disqualify you from the NIE. The I-20 form just needs to list the program start date after 8/1/21. Remember to report your intent to study in-person at UConn, by completing the Fall 2021 Study Plan form.
If you are a continuing student who departed the U.S., you have maintained your full-time student status and active SEVIS status, and your I-20 form or DS-2019 form has your original program start date (in the past), you also qualify to travel under the NIE to resume studies. However, it will be less apparent to the airline, consular officials, or border officials that you are returning to resume studies that begin after August 1. Therefore, ISSS will issue new I-20 forms next week for active students with Brazil, China, India, Iran or South Africa citizenship, who we know to be outside the United States, and who have active I-20 forms listing program start dates in the past. You will receive an email early next week confirming that we have issued your new I-20 form. The new form will have comments regarding your return to the U.S. to resume studies that begin August 30 and will include an updated travel signature. Continuing students should travel to the U.S. under the NIE no earlier than 30 days before the semester begins (July 31 at the earliest). If you are renewing your visa, you should clearly present yourself as a continuing student at your visa appointment, present proof of your full time enrollment while outside the U.S., and contact ISSS if you are told to bring a new I-20 with an updated program start date. Continuing students must report their intent to return to UConn from abroad, or to travel abroad this summer and return for fall, by completing the Fall 2021 Study Plan, option 2. This submission will also prompt ISSS to issue a new form with travel signature for those students who are not automatically issued the updated form for travel next week.
If you are on OPT: if you are outside the U.S. and located in one of these countries, we interpret this announcement to mean that you may travel under the NIE to return for work on OPT that begins after August 1. We also recommend that students on OPT with valid U.S. visas email the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to them, to confirm their eligibility to travel and resume OPT work under the NIE, if the OPT period began before August 1. Remember to report all new employment to ISSS by completing an OPT Employment Update record. When traveling, we suggest that you carry a letter confirming that you are returning to start work that begins after 8/1, or if you are already actively employed, that you are returning to resume work in the United States after 8/1. Students on OPT complete the Travel Information Record to report travel dates and request a travel signature.
Visiting scholars: If you are a new visiting scholar located in Brazil, China, India, Iran or South Africa, your program start date listed on your Form DS-2019 must be August 1 or later to be considered for travel under the NIE. If you are a current or continuing visiting scholar who has a program start date before August 1, please reach out to ISSS for advice on return travel under the NIE.
F-1 visa holders: If you apply for a visa, you will be considered for the NIE and if your visa is approved, the NIE will be noted on your visa. Continuing students who need to renew the visa should present themselves as a continuing student and bring proof of your full-time enrollment while at UConn, if your I-20 form lists a start date before 8/1/2021. If you have a valid F-1 visa you do not need permission from the U.S. embassy to travel under the NIE (you are automatically eligible), but you are still subject to the date restrictions already noted.
J-1 visa holders: If you apply for a visa, you will be considered for the NIE and if your visa is approved, the NIE will be noted on your visa. If you already have a valid J-1 visa for your program at UConn, you must email the U.S. Embassy or Consulate 30 days before you plan to travel and request the national interest exception for travel. Send a copy of your J-1 visa and your DS-2019 form with your request. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will send you an email with the NIE approval, if granted, that is valid for travel for 30 days.

Students and Exchange Visitors located in Schengen Area of Europe, Ireland, United Kingdom

Academic travelers (students, exchange students and visiting scholars), also qualify for a National Interest Exception to travel to the U.S. but are not subject to the same 8/1 date restriction as other travelers. If you are a new student coming to the U.S. on an I-20 issued for initial attendance, you may enter under the NIE up to 30 days before the program start date. Your I-20 even lists an “Earliest Entry Date” that you may refer to. If you are coming to the U.S. to begin a new J-1 exchange program as a student or visiting scholar, you may also enter up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your form. Continuing students and exchange visitors may enter at any time to resume your F or J program, but J-1 visa holders must have written approval of the NIE if they already have a valid visa for their program at UConn, and F-1 visa holders do not (see process below).
F-1 visa holders: If you apply for a visa, you will be considered for the NIE and if your visa is approved, the NIE will be noted on your visa. If you have a valid F-1 visa and you will use this to travel, you do not need permission from the U.S. embassy to travel under the NIE, it is automatic, but you are still subject to the date restrictions already noted.
J-1 visa holders: If you apply for a visa, you will be considered for the NIE and if your visa is approved, the NIE will be noted on your visa. If you already have a valid J-1 visa for your program at UConn, you must email the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate 30 days before you plan to travel and request the national interest exception for travel. Send a copy of your J-1 visa stamp and DS-2019 with the request. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will send you an email with the NIE approval, if granted, that is valid for travel for 30 days.

General Reminders:

Visa validity: Many students have asked if they can use their unexpired visa for travel after an extended stay abroad. Generally, an unexpired visa in the correct classification (e.g., F-1, J-1) has been considered valid for use unless it has been cancelled by the Department of State. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program addressed this topic on the Study in the States website in 2017. However, ISSS recommends that students who enter the U.S. on an initial attendance I-20 form to attend UConn obtain a new visa if the current visa does not list UConn as the school of attendance. Also, out of an abundance of caution, students may consider applying for a new visa if they have had a break in studies of more than 5 months. Finally, we advise J-1 exchange visitors to use the visa that was issued specifically for their exchange program at UConn.

Where to find your immigration documents in the ISSS Portal:

F-1/J-1 Students: Visit isssportal.uconn.edu and click “Log In”. Students should log in with your NetID and password. From your user home page, click on your “Academic Objective” on the left-hand side. Your Academic Objective will be listed under the semester and year that you started, or will start, your program in the U.S. (it matches your I-20 or DS-2019 start term). Scroll down to “Attached Documents”. You can see copies of all the documents issued by ISSS in your academic objective within 1 week after we have processed your update.

J-1 Visiting Scholars: Visit the UConn Scholar/Employee Portal. Log in with your email and Scholar Portal password (NOT your UConn NetID). Click on the “Documents” tab on the top of the page. Click on “Other” on the left-hand side. You can see copies of all the documents issued by ISSS in the SEVIS Profile within 1 week after we have processed your update.

Report your Fall 2021 Study Plan: If you have not already done so, ISSS is requesting that all active students (not visiting scholars or OPT participants) tell ISSS your intended plans for fall 2021 semester, here. Please submit your intended plans by June 15. If your plans change after submitting the form, resubmit the form (even after June 15). This information helps us to advise you and to plan for fall semester.

ISSS COVID-19 FAQ: The ISSS COVID-19 FAQ answers many of your questions, and we suggest that you review it periodically to see if new information has been posted.

Get help: You can 1) email international@uconn.edu with your questions, 2) schedule a virtual appointment with your ISSS advisor, or 3) visit the ISSS website daily between 9 and 10 am, and 2 and 3 pm (UConn time) to speak to an advisor through the chat option. The ISSS office in Storrs is also open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm (closed for lunch between 12 and 1 pm) for basic assistance, though individual advising services still take place virtually.

We thank you for your patience while we all navigate this complex situation, and please let us know if you have any questions.

5/17 Tax Deadline

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Nicki

The deadline to file a U.S. tax return is Monday, May 17, 2021. If you earned income in the U.S. in 2020 you are responsible to file a tax return by May 17, 2021 and should pay attention to the information below. Sprintax software is available to students and scholars. 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.

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://isss.uconn.edu/tax-preparation-resources/ To get your tax code email international@uconn.edu with your name and student ID number.

Click here to watch step by step instructions for using Sprintax to file your taxes.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3mMKjXTjm7XXyUsaeWXd4dI1OYbYy8t6

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://isss.uconn.edu/tax-preparation-resources/

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

National Interest Exception added for China, India, Iran, Brazil, South Africa and Fall 2021 guidance related to coursework

Posted on April 27, 2021May 6, 2021 by Nicki

*Updated 5/6/21 to include India *

Dear students and scholars,

We are happy to announce two recent developments from the U.S. government related to visa status maintenance and travel. You will probably begin to see reports of these announcements in the media, but we want to let you know that clarification on certain issues is still needed. Please read carefully and watch for further updates from ISSS.

National Interest Exception (NIE) for academic travel extended to China, India, Iran, Brazil, South Africa

The Department of State announced an expansion of the national interest exception for travel to the United States for students and exchange visitors from certain geographic areas that are subject to entry restrictions: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/national-interest-exceptions-for-certain-travelers-from-china-Iran-brazil-south-africa-schengen-area-united-kingdom-and-ireland.html

The national interest exception is already active for academic travelers coming from Schengen Area countries of Europe, UK, and Ireland. This announcement appears to extend the NIE for students and exchange visitors located in China, India, Iran, Brazil and South Africa, who will begin their programs after August 1, 2021 (look to the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019 to confirm this).
For F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors who need a visa, your ability to travel will still be subject to availability of visa appointments and getting the visa approved in time for travel. The National Interest Exception is printed on the visa. Please consult with your local consulate on special visa procedures for academic travelers.
For F-1 visa holders who already have a visa, no written approval from the embassy is needed, but you still must meet other eligibility requirements. See important information for continuing students with valid visas, below.
For J-1 exchange visitor travelers who already have a valid visa, you must email your nearest embassy/consulate to request the NIE. It is our understanding (based on current NIE practices in Europe) that the NIE granted by the embassy/consulate is only valid for 30 days once issued, so you cannot request this too early before your travel date. Please check your nearest U.S. embassy webpage for details and updates.
Remember, F-1 and J-1 travelers may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.

The following is still unclear:

For continuing students located in China, India, Iran, Brazil and South Africa: How does this August 1, 2021 program start requirement apply to you, if your I-20 or DS-2019 lists a program start date before August 1?
While we expect academic categories of exchange visitors to include all student categories of J-1, as well as research scholar, short term scholar, and professor categories, the announcement does not specify which categories qualify for the NIE.
Will F-1 students on OPT be eligible to travel under the national interest exception?

We will provide more detailed information to international students and visiting scholars on these questions if/when available.

Department of Homeland Security extends pandemic-related guidance through Fall 2021/Spring 2022.

On Monday, the government announced that they will extend the temporary guidance that has allowed schools to adapt to pandemic-related emergency operations through the upcoming academic year.

It appears that international students in the U.S. may take a full-time course load that is a mix of in-person, hybrid and online courses and maintain F-1 visa status, even if their school has returned to primarily in-person learning.
Students who were in the U.S. as of March 9, 2020, and have maintained active visa status since then, may enroll in a fully online or hybrid course of study and maintain F-1 visa status in the U.S. Because the University is offering fewer online courses than last year, we do not expect this to situation to occur very often, but this flexibility may help students who are graduating, and who need only one or two courses to graduate, when those courses are only offered through distance learning.
No students will be issued a new I-20 to take an entirely distance-learning course load.

We will provide more details about what this guidance extension means for students in the coming weeks. We are still awaiting guidance from Department of State regarding Fall 2021 rules for J-1 exchange visitors and maintaining status in the upcoming year.

Note to students in countries where U.S. visa operations are still impacted by COVID-19: We are thinking of you during this difficult time and wishing you and your family health and safety. ISSS is watching the worldwide visa situations closely and we are trying to process your documents as quickly as possible to give you the best chance for return/arrival to campus. Please let us know what more we can do to support you.

Please email international@uconn.edu if you have additional questions and thank you for your patience as we update our resources to reflect these new details. Please note that this message represents our preliminary interpretation, in consultation with our professional resources, regarding the two announcements. If these interpretations change based on updated guidance, we will notify students as soon as we can.

Thank you,

ISSS

Special Student Relief – Venezuela and Syria

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Nicki

Effective April 21, 2021, the U.S. federal goverment has authorized eligibility for Special Student Relief (SSR) for qualifying F-1 students from Syria or Venezuela. SSR allows qualifying students to temporarily be relieved of requirements to maintain a full time course load, and may allow students to get work authorization in excess of the standard on-campus employment rules. If you meet the below criteria and you would like to learn more, please make an appointment with your ISSS advisor to discuss the SSR and the application process. The SSR benefit is not automatic.

Venezuela. Effective April 22, 2021 until September 9, 2022. Federal Register notice at 86 FR 21328 (April 22, 2021). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

Be a citizen of Venezuela, regardless of country of birth;
Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021;
Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
Be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela

Syria. Effective April 22, 2021 until September 30, 2022. Federal Register notice at 86 FR 21333 (April 22, 2021). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

Be a citizen of Syria, regardless of country of birth;
Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021;
Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
Be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the ongoing civil unrest in Syria since March 2011

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

Do You Need To file Tax Form 8843? – Watch Online

Posted on April 1, 2021April 14, 2021 by Nicki

There is one tax form that all nonresident alien taxpayers must file if they were present in the U.S. in 2020 EVEN if they have no income and are not currently working in the U.S. Learn how to fill out and file the 8843 form with guidance from UConn Accounting faculty and head of the UConn site of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and ISSS staff.

View the recording of our 8843 Party online here:

https://isss.uconn.edu/tax-preparation-resources/

Scroll down to “How do I file my tax forms? Which forms do I file?” and look for the 8843 Party and Learn to File the 8843 Tax Form video.

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

UConn CRRSAA Emergency Fund Application Open Now

Posted on March 27, 2021April 14, 2021 by Nicki

Dear international students,

UConn has entered Phase 2 of the CRRSAA (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act) Emergency Fund. This means that UConn students who are experiencing an expense due to COVID-19 or are unable to meet eligible expenses under the cost of attendance, may apply for an emergency grant. More information can be found here: https://financialaid.uconn.edu/crrsaa/

International students are eligible to apply for this grant and can access the application form under the Phase 2 – Emergency Application Process section of the webpage.

International students do not complete a FAFSA, which is a financial aid application for U.S. students. Therefore, you should note the information for Students without a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA.

We encourage you to apply for this grant if you are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Please direct specific questions to financialaid@uconn.edu.

Best wishes,

ISSS