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NEW THIS WEEK
The ISS office continues to serve students throughout the break between summer and autumn quarter - our drop in advising schedule and virtual front desk will continue to operate on the summer schedule until the beginning of the new academic term.
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Arrive by September 29, 2021:
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Autumn quarter officially begins September 29, 2021! We're excited to welcome you back to campus. Make sure to double-check your travel plans - we cannot endorse nor accommodate late arrivals, so please ensure that you will be arriving no later than 9/29/2021. If you are unable to travel to the U.S. by 9/29, review this information.
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Check your immigration documents:
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Before you travel to the U.S., make sure you have a valid I-20, passport, and visa. If you took a leave of absence or you have been outside the U.S. for more than a year, it is likely you will need a new I-20 or an updated travel signature before you return. Students arriving without a valid I-20 may be sent home by U.S. Customs & Border Protection.
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If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for a session of Embark. During Embark you will connect with other new and returning students, prepare for your cultural transition to the UW and U.S., and learn more about maintaining your visa status while a student at UW. Embark sessions are offered as part of your international welcome programming in the quarter you are entering UW. Currently, FIUTS is offering make-up sessions for students who missed the earlier scheduled sessions. Contact info@fiuts.org or orientation@fiuts.org with questions and sign up online!
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In addition to attending Embark, new students are also required to complete the ISS online immigration check-in - read on for more information!
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IMMIGRATION CHECK-IN AVAILABLE NOW!
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ISS SERVICES DURING AUTUMN 2021
ISS staff are excited to be returning to campus and we look forward to welcoming all of our international students back or to campus for the first time! Although staff will be returning to campus, all advising and student services will be offered virtually this quarter.
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ISS Reception Desk Hours
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Virtual Front Desk
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1:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Schmitz Hall 459
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9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Virtual Front Desk
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2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Virtual Front Desk
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Advising Appointments
Students are now able to book appointments with our advising team using our new appointment management tool.
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The link to book appointments is published on our website.
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Students should prepare to choose the type of appointment they need - your first step in booking will be choosing the category of question you'd like to discuss with an advisor or member of our staff.
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Virtual Front Desk
Our Virtual Front Desk will continue to operate as it has for the past several quarters. Staff will be available to help you navigate the website, connect you to important resources, and provide general assistance. Staff will admit one student at a time to the Virtual Front Desk – we appreciate your patience!
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Drop-In Advising
Drop-In Advising will look different this quarter. During autumn 2021, we will host three Drop-In Advising sessions. Each session will be focused on one specific topic.
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General Employment - October 15, 2021 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Optional Practical Training (OPT) - November 12, 2021 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) - December 10, 2021 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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ISHIP VIRTUAL FRONT DESK
Through Autumn 2021, the ISHIP Office is offering remote services through the Virtual Front Desk. The Virtual Front Desk will be open daily. Our Drop-in Advising will be primarily through the Virtual Front Desk times indicated below. You may also book one-on-one virtual appointments with the ISHIP Counselor by emailing the front desk staff at stdins@uw.edu.
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Virtual Front Desk Schedule – Autumn 2021
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- Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Staff will be available to help you navigate the ISHIP website, connect you to important resources, and provide general assistance. Staff will admit one student at a time to the Virtual Front Desk – we appreciate your patience!
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Sessions with the ISHIP Counselor will be available through the Virtual Front Desk at the following times:
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- Monday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
- Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST.
During these blocks, the ISHIP Counselor will be available for 10-minute consultations. There will be no counseling staff at the Virtual Front Desk outside of these hours.
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CPT POLICY CHANGE EFFECTIVE AUTUMN 2021
The CPT process is changing September 29th!
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Starting this autumn quarter, we are updating the CPT process to help YOU maintain your F-1 immigration status. Moving forward, you may only be approved for CPT one quarter at a time AND – you must be enrolled in CPT credits to receive CPT authorization.
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You will also be required to upload an employment offer letter when you apply for CPT!
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Please read our CPT web page to learn more about what the CPT process will look like for you.
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REMINDER: SCAMS TARGETING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
With the new academic year starting, we're likely to see an increase in scams targeting international students. These scams are operated by individuals who have just enough knowledge about international students to sound very realistic when they target you and your status.
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The latest trend we've seen is that individuals are impersonating SEVP or ICE officials.
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- The scammers are spoofing a SEVP or local ICE phone number, so your caller ID may show "SEVP", "ICE" or "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" or another, official-looking name. These callers are not SEVP officials or ICE officers.
- They will tell you that your status is in jeopardy and that you can fix it by paying them money. This is not how you resolve status violations - if you are ever concerned about your status, contact the ISS Office.
- The scammers are using words and phrases that will sound very official - they have enough familiarity with international student regulations that they can sound very convincing. ICE officers or other government officials will never call you over the phone to ask for money.
If you are contacted in this scam:
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- Report the call to the anonymous ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423.
- Report the call to the UW Police Department (UWPD) at their non-emergency line, (206) 685-UWPD (8973).
- Reach out to the ISS Office if you want to confirm your student status or to ask any questions that you might have.
- Contact the UW Counseling Center. Being a victim of a crime or scam like this can be alarming and the counseling center can help you cope with the stress and emotions you may be feeling.
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REMINDERS
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VACCINATION STATUS VERIFICATION & RETURN-TO-CAMPUS
In an email to UW community members on July 7, UW President Cauce and Provost Richards shared updated guidance about campus operations and provided instructions for vaccination status verification. If you are a student who is also an employee at the UW, note that you will be required to complete the student attestation as well as the employee attestation.
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- Updated 8/13/2021: All campus community members are required to wear masks or other face coverings when indoors.
- Based on Washington State guidance, physical distancing and capacity limits are no longer in place.
- Students, Faculty and Staff must verify their vaccination status. Students must provide vaccination information by the start of autumn quarter. Do so using the student COVID-19 vaccine attestation form.
- If you are traveling to the U.S. for autumn quarter and will not be vaccinated yet, your deadline to provide vaccination status verification is November 5, 2021.
- A hold will be placed on winter quarter registrations if the form has not been submitted by November 5, 2021.
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NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEST PRACTICES:
The beginning of a new academic year is a great time to double-check your I-20 for accuracy! If your I-20 end date is coming up, but you think you'll need more time to finish your academic program, it's not too early to request a program extension. Updated financial documents are not required for a program extension.
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We also encourage you to take a moment to remind yourself of the important laws that govern your F or J non-immigrant status.
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WORKING ON CAMPUS?
Many students will find on-campus employment at the start of the academic year. As an F-1 or J-1 student, be sure to review the rules that cover the basics of on-campus employment for your visa category.
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Here are some helpful links:
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UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
- September 29, 2021 - Autumn Quarter Instruction Begins
- LifeWise Assurance Representatives at Hall Health Center
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LifeWise Assurance will be available in-person for drop-in assistance at Hall Health Center starting next week! They will be available from October 4th to 8th and October 11th to 15th, Monday to Friday, from 10am to 3pm.
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They can assist with various questions concerning your ISHIP insurance, such as:
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- Accessing your insurance ID card
- Creating your LifeWise portal account
- Questions about your benefits or claims
- General questions about using your ISHIP coverage
- How to access in-network providers and pharmacies
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Need more information? We offer on-demand and live resources to help answer your questions! Let us know how we're doing by filling out our feedback form.
Missed an edition of our newsletter? They're now archived on our website for easy access.
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