Announcements from the OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES (OISSS)

OISSS wishes you Happy Holidays and a wonderful winter break!

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Check Your Travel Signature
 

If you will be traveling outside the U.S., please check the travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 or in the lower right corner of your DS-2019. Travel signatures are valid for 1 year (6 months on post-completion OPT) and can be used multiple times before they expire. 

You can request a travel signature through your OISSS Gateway account. Click on the Requests and Documents tab and submit the Reprint/Travel Signature Request to have a new I-20/DS-2019 with travel signature issued. For further information about travel, please visit the OISSS website. 

When entering the U.S., you must present:

• I-20 or DS-2019 certificate

• Valid passport 

• Valid F-1 or J-1 visa to be admitted to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status. 

Important: DO NOT use a global entry self-check kiosk to enter the U.S. Upon re-entry to the U.S., check your most recent I-94 arrival record to confirm that you have been re-admitted in F-1 or J-1 status.

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U.S. Consulates in China: Temporary Reduction in Services 

U.S. Consulates in China are open only for emergency services in response to the increased number of COVID-19 cases. More information here: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/alert-update-from-u-s-mission-china-consular-services-for-december-15-2022/

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Save the Date: 2023 Spring Virtual Workshops for F-1 Curricular/Optional Practical Training (CPT/OPT)

Wednesday, February 15th – 10:00-11:30 am

  (CPT covered 10:00-10:30, OPT/STEM covered 10:30-11:30)

Monday, February 27th – 10:00-11:30 am

 (CPT covered 10:00-10:30, OPT/STEM covered 10:30-11:30)

**Zoom links will be provided closer to the session dates.**

Presenters: Elke Breker, Kelsey Dennis, Jennifer Dressen, Sonja Paulson and Dean Chia-Ying Pan

The Curricular Practical Training (CPT) segment of this presentation is of particular interest to undergraduate and graduate students who would like to explore options pertaining to internships off campus.

The second part of the presentation addresses questions related to Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students who are interested in utilizing this employment authorization (e.g. during the summer), or who plan to complete their academic program in 2023.

Please note: Students who plan to complete their academic program in Spring 2023 are strongly advised to apply for post-completion OPT as early as 90 days before their anticipated completion date.

For further CPT/OPT information and application instructions please visit the  OISSS website.

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Ethiopia: Special Student Relief (SSR) and TPS

Late last week, DHS designated F-1 Special Student Relief (SSR) and issued the anticipated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) federal notice for Ethiopia.

SSR will be effective December 12, 2022 through June 12, 2024.

The 18-month designation of Ethiopia for TPS begins December 12, 2022 and ends June 12, 2024.  This designation allows Ethiopian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) who have continuously resided in the United States since October 20, 2022, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since December 12, 2022 to apply for TPS.

Some helpful resources:

•   https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status

• https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/10/21/dhs-designates-ethiopia-temporary-protected-status-18-months

For SSR and TPS related questions please call or email oisss@brown.edu to request an appointment.

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Scam Alert Reminder

For information on common Scam/Fraud related alerts: Be aware of Scams