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Effective immediately The Office of International Programs is experiencing a reduction in staff memebers. Please expect longer than normal wait times. Be sure to submit all requests well in advance to prevent any issues. We thank you for your patience as we transition into this new phase in our office.  

We encourage you to send e-mails to oip@utep.edu, if you have questions pertaining to your immigration status. This allows us to review your entire immigration record and provide comprehensive answers. When coming into the office, keep in mind our front desk is limited to document pick-up or basic questions. If you wish to speak with an international advisor, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment in advance to ensure someone is available to meet with you.

• I-20 PICK UP: You must submit a Travel Signature Request in Sunapsis. Once your receive an approval email, you may drop off your I-20 before 10:00 a.m. MST on any business day during the week; and pick it up the same day after 2:00 p.m. MST.
• OFFICE HOURS:  Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. MST
• VIRTUAL WALK-IN ADVISING: Mondays 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. See the next question for links to join. 

All updates will be announced by email, on our , and on this page.

OIP advisors will be available weekly to meet virtually with students. Click on the correct day during the designated timeframe to access the session through Blackboard:

OIP advising has been transitioned to take place over Zoom. Be sure your electronic device is equipped with zoom to join the advising session. Visit the following link to download zoom:  

When you join the session, your camera and microphone will be off. You will be instructed to write your name in the chat to save your place in line. Once it is your turn for advising, you will be moved to a breakout room, where you can turn on your audio, and your camera if you wish. The OIP advisor's audio and camera will be on during the session. 

To accommodate all students, advising sessions should not be more than 15 minutes long. Email oip@utep.edu if you need a longer appointment, if you need an appointment outside walk-in hours, or if you would like to meet in person with an international advisor. 

As always, students may still email oip@utep.edu for assistance.  We find that most questions are best answered through email as it allows us to review your entire record.

1. Continuing students are students who are maintaining F-1 status with an Active SEVIS record, and continuing in their same degree program at UTEP for the 2022-2023 Academic Year (Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023).
2. Transfer students are students who are new to UTEP because they just finished a degree at another U.S. school, or are leaving another U.S. school to continue their degree at UTEP. For immigration purposes, "transfer" refers to those with an Active SEVIS record only.
3. Change of Level students are UTEP students who completed a degree at one academic level, and are starting a new degree at a different level, or starting a second degree at the same level.

Students who would otherwise fit into any of the three categories above, but, who have allowed their F-1 status to expire are considered New/Initial students. Please see that section below for more information.  

1. ONLY continuing students who were actively enrolled in F-1 status on March 9, 2020 may enroll/count more than one online class towards the full-time requirement regardless of the class designation (online, hybrid, or in person).
2. Continuing students who were not actively enrolled in F-1 status on March 9, 2020 and began in F-1 status after this date, must comply with . This means they MAY ONLY count one 3-credit-hour online course towards a full-course of study,

Students must maintain a full course of study throughout the entire Fall 2022 semester. Dropping below full time enrollment without authorization may result in termination of the SEVIS record and immediate loss of all F-1 benefits.

• Undergraduate Students: 12 credits per semester
  
  
• Graduate Students: 9 credits per semester, or 3 credit thesis/dissertation course

1. If you have a valid reason to enroll less than full time, you must be approved for a Reduced Course Load (RCL). To learn more, visit the "Reduced Course Load (RCL)" tab in Maintaining F-1 Status.
   • Requests will need to be submitted and approved before the semester begins or before a course is dropped, (approval is not guaranteed).

1. Part-Time Border Commuters may enroll less than full time without applying for a RCL. If you are not sure whether you are considered a Part-Time Border Commuter, please contact oip@utep.edu. 

Per F-1 regulations, if you will be enrolled less than full time, you must apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) before the start of the semester. To learn more, visit the "Reduced Course Load (RCL)" tab in Maintaining F-1 Status.

If you are interested in applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the U.S. after graduation, visit our OPT webpage, and see the Employment section below for more information. Start the OPT application process early! The process takes several months to complete. 

Per F-1 regulations, you must apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) before the start of each semester that you enroll in a thesis/dissertation course. To learn more, visit the "Reduced Course Load (RCL)" tab in Maintaining F-1 Status.

The guidance for Part-Time and Full-Time Border Commuters is the same as for other students.

Students should always contact OIP for advising if they wish to drop a course BEFORE doing so. If they are informed they will be dropped and it will cause them to fall below full-time enrollment, communicate with OIP immedidately. The OIP advisor will review the student's options on a case-by-case basis.

OIP cannot prevent a professor from dropping a student from a class for any reason. Students should be in close contact with their professors and advisors to ensure they are keeping up with required coursework.

New/Initial students are typically students who are abroad who are not yet in F-1 status, and have recently been admitted to a program at UTEP.

Students who have previously held F-1 status at UTEP or another U.S. school, but allowed their status to expire, are also considered New/Initial. This includes students who took a leave of absence, or students who continue to enroll with an expired SEVIS record and are in violation of their immigration status.

Students wishing to enter the U.S. in F-1 status for Fall 2022, for the first time, MAY NOT enroll in a fully online schedule. This includes students who began a program ONLINE from abroad while they were not in F-1 status. In other words, they have not attended in person courses at UTEP, yet.

These students may not be new to UTEP, but, they are new to the SEVIS system. They must enroll in one 3-credit in-person course and all other courses may be online, if they wish to enter the United States in F-1 status.

Yes, new students may begin a program online while outside the U.S. An I-20 and F-1 visa are not required for this process.

Before making this decision, students must consider the following:

• Do you have regular, reliable internet access at sufficient speeds to complete your required coursework?
  
  
• Do you have access to resources that you may need to complete your required coursework?
  
  
• If your professors require class participation at a certain time of the day, are you able to accommodate those requirements (UTEP is in the Mountain Time zone)?
  
  
• Does your academic program allow you to complete the program online, while outside the U.S.? You must contact the program directly to inquire.
  
  
• If you start online courses but decide to drop them during the semester, are you prepared to pay drop fees?
  
  
• (Non-Mexican students): If UTEP requires that you pay for student health insurance while you are enrolled, are you prepared to pay those fees, even if you are outside the U.S.? 
  
  

Because these new students will not be in F-1 status and will not have an Active SEVIS record, they are not bound to any credit minimums for immigration purposes. You should check with your academic advisor to determine the appropriate schedule for your situation.

You should discuss this with your academic department, since it may vary on a case-by-case basis. You will need to determine:

• Will the academic program allow you to engage in your duties while outside the U.S.?
  
  
• Will the academic department be able to pay you? 
  • If you do not have a social security number, you are not eligible to apply for one while outside the U.S., as new applications must be made in-person at a Social Security Administration office. UTEP Human Resources and your academic department will have more information about the ability to hire/pay you while you are outside the U.S., and whether a social security number will be needed. 
    
    
• Will other benefits (out-of-state tuition waiver, health insurance) need to be altered while you are outside the U.S.?
  
  
• Do you have regular, reliable internet access at sufficient speeds to complete your duties?
  
  
• Do you have access to resources to complete your duties?
  
  
• If participation is required at a certain time of the day, are you able to accommodate those requirements (UTEP is in the Mountain Time zone)?
  
  
• Are there any concerns about technology sharing or export controls?
  
  

Yes, you will need a new I-20.  Instructions on applying for a new I-20 will be sent once you inform us of your plans. 

What steps you will take depend on your degree level:

Graduate students must contact their academic department and the Graduate School

Undergraduate students must contact the Office of Admissions & Recruitment 

Both undergraduate and graduate students MUST contact the OIP to inform us of their plans.

If you will not attend UTEP, please email oip@utep.edu. 

You can find thorough information on this topic at our Who Can Study? page. 

If you have been contacted by OIP, but you do not need an F-1 visa to study, please email oip@utep.edu to inform us.

If you are in valid F-1 status, individuals entering the U.S. typically need a valid, unexpired visa to do so. 

If you are in any country other than Mexico, Canada, or an adjacent island (except Cuba), you WILL need a valid, unexpired visa in order to return along with a valid travel signature on your I-20. You should reach out to your nearest consulate/embassy for renewal procedures immediately. 

If you are in Mexico, Canada, or an adjacent island (except Cuba), you may be able to re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa if you have not been outside of the United States for more than 30 days. Please thoroughly review the eligibility requirements. Automatic Visa Revalidation is NOT guranteed and we recommend renewing your visa whenever possible.

Effective Saturday, January 22, 2022, new requirements went into effect for non-U.S. travelers seeking entry to the United States through land borders and ferry terminals. and be prepared with the following: 

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the  
• Verbal attestation to their reason for travel and COVID-19 vaccination status during a border inspection 

For further information on travel restrictions, you may visit the .   

Students in valid F-1 status should be admitted into the U.S. if they are FULLY VACCINATED and:  

• They are coming to UTEP to attend an in-person class;  
• They are coming to UTEP to access the internet or programs in a UTEP computer lab to complete coursework. This includes students who do not have sufficient internet access, or who need specific materials, programs, or software at UTEP to complete course requirements;  
• They are an on-campus student employee coming to work;  
• They have been approved for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and are coming for work; or  
• They are approved for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and are coming for work.  

If you are NOT vaccinated and are looking to enter the United States, you WILL NOT be allowed entry. 

Each admission into the U.S. is at the discretion of the CBP officer. 

The Department of State (DOS) has stated they will not consider intervention or other documents from international offices in order to expedite or grant emergency visa appointments. It is DOS policy that students can request an emergency appointment if they are nearing their program start date on their I-20. Therefore, students do not need any documentation from OIP to do this. .

Keep in mind that many consulates remain closed, or have limited appointment availability. There is a significant backlog of applications in line, and unfortunately, some students may not be able to obtain a visa in time to arrive for their desired semester.

Please bring the . We also recommend bringing a copy of your Fall 2022 detailed course schedule if you have already enrolled.

All students should have the following on them and readily available (not in checked baggage):

• Valid, unexpired passport
• Unexpired F-1 visa (unless eligible for )
• Most recent I-20 with valid travel endorsement
• Students on OPT: EAD or receipt notice, and job offer/verification letter
• Review current prior to your travel for further document requirements

It is a requirement of your F-1 status to have a valid passport at all times while in the U.S.

Students who are currently in the U.S. should contact their home country's consulate immediately for renewal procedures. Some consulates might be able to issue emergency appointments. If the consulate is not processing passport renewals, students should keep detailed records of their attempts to contact the consulate and renew their passport.

Students who are currently outside the U.S. will need to renew their passport before they will be permitted to enter, and should contact their home country's consulate immediately for renewal procedures. Some consulates are able to issue emergency appointments at this time. You will likely be unable to enter the U.S. until you receive a new passport. Entry with an expired passport is generally not permitted, but will be at the discretion of the CBP officer at the port of entry. 

Travel signatures (found on page 2 of the I-20) are only required when you will enter the U.S. from abroad. If you remain in the U.S. and have no travel plans, a travel signature is not required, but it is recommended in case you have any last-minute, unexpected travel.

The Travel Endorsements section on your I-20 states that each signature is valid for a period of one year. However, some CBP agents may require the student's travel signature be no more than 6 months old at the time of entry. Therefore, we recommend that students obtain a new travel signature after 6 months, given the current situation.

New/Initial, Transfer, and Change of Level students do not need a travel signature when entering with their new I-20 for the first time.

Please see the "Other" section below for more information.

CBP has discretion on whether or not to admit students returning to the U.S. after the beginning of the semester, even if they are in compliance with enrollment requirements with an Active SEVIS record. This includes students entering through airports and by land.

Students who have a fully online schedule that are planning to cross at a Mexico or Canada land border should be cautious, and be prepared for questioning and potential denials at the border if not crossing for on-campus classes or employment directly related to their F-1 student status.

Although the current guidance does not prohibit students from entering after the start of the semester, CBP is a separate government agency and may follow different internal guidelines that we do not know about. We will be unable to predict how CBP will handle these situations until they happen.

Be sure to review the current prior to your travel.

Travel restrictions remain in effect for many countries worldwide. You can see a current list of restrictions in the . Contact your local consulate/embassy for further details and recommendations.

F-1 students are permitted a 60 day grace period after completing an academic program to remain in the United States. If you are unable to find commercially available flights, you MUST reach out to your home country's consulate for guidance and recommendations.

If you are still unable to leave the U.S., and it has been 30 days since graduation, please reach out to oip@utep.edu for individual guidance. Some examples of recommendations include:

• Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) by the end of your grace period;
  
  
• Begin a new academic program that begins within 5 months of your graduation, and receive your new I-20 from OIP or transfer your SEVIS record to another school before the end of your grace period;
  
  
• Apply for a Change of Status to B-1/B-2 visitor immigration status (consultation with an immigration attorney is required before applying). 
  
  
  

We recommend addressing any questions about quarantines to Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) at COVIDaction@utep.edu. Be sure to include your country of origin, date of entry, and contact information. 

There are current COVID-19 Restrictions in place that require documentation to travel to the United States.

Information can be found at the links below:

It is unknown how long this requirement will be in place. If you have questions, we recommend contacting your airline directly for the most up-to-date information. Keep in mind your airline may have specific restrictions as well. Be sure you are aware of those restrictions prior to travel.

We recommend visiting the following sites for up-to-date information:

COVID-19 Testing: /chs/covid-testing/

COVID-19 Vaccination: /resuming-campus-operations/vaccine/index.html

SEVP has stated that on-campus employees, and those participating in CPT and OPT, may work remotely, from within the U.S. or abroad, as long as it is permitted by your employer.

The I-765 form instructions state that an individual must be within the U.S. in order to apply for work authorization, including OPT. At this time, USCIS has not issued any updated guidance, but SEVP has indicated that they have raised this issue. We will update this page if we receive any new guidance.

While there have been no changes to the 90/150 unemployment limits for OPT/STEM OPT, SEVP has stated that, for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, students who are working in their OPT opportunities fewer than 20 hours per week are considered as engaged in OPT.

If you are not maintaining status, you must obtain employment or a volunteer position before you reach your unemployment limit. You may temporarily work/volunteer less than 20 hours per week to maintain status.

Remember to report ALL changes within 10 calendar days through the “OPT Notification of Changes” e-form in . 

At this time,  (SSA) offices are not open for walk-ins. If you have received a job offer and are eligible to apply for an SSN, you should contact your local SSA office by phone to determine current application procedures and schedule an in-person appointment. Accommodations will be at the discretion of the SSA office. 

Students arriving from abroad who already have an on-campus position should plan to arrive in the U.S. as early as possible to check in and start the SSN process. Students arriving for Fall 2022 and have a program start date of 08/22/2022 may enter as early as July 23. Delays in arrival may result in inability to start your position on time. 

IMPORTANT: The SSA may require you to quarantine in the U.S. for a certain period of time (usually 14 days) before allowing you to come to their office for your appointment. This includes Border Commuter students and students who are temporarily living outside the U.S. due to COVID-19. Check with the SSA for specific guidance, and plan ahead so that you can make arrangements if needed. 

If you are outside the U.S. and you are a new student, you will not be able to apply for an SSN from abroad. 

• With the exception of Border Commuters, F-1 international students are eligible to work on campus up to 40 hours per week during the summer, and up to 19 hours per week while school is in session.
  • You can find more information at our Employment & SSN page.
  • You can find on campus jobs through Job Mine at the UTEP Career Center.
    
    
• You can find emergency aid options, including the Food Pantry, emergency loans, etc., at the Dean of Students Emergency Aid website. For specific needs, you can reach out to the Dean of Students Office directly at dos@utep.edu. 
  
  
• To set up a tuition payment plan, please visit Student Business Services' Paying for Tuition page.
  
  
• To find information about scholarships, please visit the Office of Scholarships page.
  
  
• The El Paso International Student Fellowship is exploring options to help students with various issues (not including tuition payment). You can reach out to one of the organizers, Linda Nodjimbadem, at lindan@utep.edu.
  
  

If you are able to visit the OIP office in person:

• Submit the 'Travel Signature Request' in  if you only need an updated travel signature on page 2 of your I-20. Do not come to the office until you are notified by email that your request has been approved. 
  • Once approved, you may drop off your I-20 before 10:00 a.m. on any business day during the week and pick it up the same day after 2:00 p.m. MST
• Submit the 'I-20 Replacement Request' in  if your current I-20 is damaged, lost, or you need a new one for another reason. A new travel signature will also be provided. Do not come to the office until you are notified by email that your request has been approved.
  
  

If you are NOT able to visit the OIP office in person, and will arrange shipping, you should only submit the I-20 Replacement Request in , whether you need a new travel signature or a new I-20. You will receive an email once your new I-20 has been created and is ready for shipping. You will receive instructions with your approval email on how to arrange shipping.

You may pick up your I-20 during normal business hours after you have received an approval email (see first question on this page for current business hours).

Option 1: To arrange shipping abroad or within the U.S., please complete the “Document Shipping Request (eShipGlobal)” through . DO NOT submit the e-form until you are prepared to pay for the shipment.

Option 2: If you are currently in the U.S., you may alternatively email a prepaid  Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope shipping label in PDF format to oip@utep.edu. DO NOT MAIL ANYTHING TO THE OIP OFFICE. Please see instructions below:

1. At , click on “Mail & Ship” at the top, and then “Click-N-Ship.” You’ll need to make an account if you don’t already have one, and then go to the option to make a label. For “Where are you sending from?” use: 
   UTEP Office of Intel Programs
   500 W Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Ave
   Union East 203
   El Paso, TX 79968
2. Then “Where are you sending to?” will be your address. You can enter a shipping date of the date you are making the request, and then select the option of “I am Shipping Flat Rate.” Then you’ll proceed to select Priority Mail, and Flat Rate Envelope.
3. Once you pay for that label, it will provide you with a PDF of the label, which you will need to email to oip@utep.edu.