October 25, 2022
Welcome back Matadors! We hope this Fall 2022 semester has allowed you to connect with our office, students, and other faculty and staff members on campus. We are glad to assist many of our international students and CSUN community.
Please view the wonderful and inspirational Fall 2022 "Welcome Back Matadors" video shown below, presented by President Erika D. Beck. Let's continue to come together and do our part to incorporate a healthy learning and working environment for all!
Sincerely,
The IESC Advisement Team
Fall 2022 "Welcome Back Matadors" video
Please continue to visit the IESC COVID-19 FAQ webpage for COVID-19 Vaccine Attestation Requirement and COVID-19 FAQ information.
Do not forget to to visit the IESC COVID-19 FAQ regularly for any updates!
Visit the Spring 2023 Reminders for International Students to help you plan your Spring 2023 enrollment as it relates to maintaining your immigration status. Also, if you have not contacted your academic department regarding the classes you plan to take for Spring, please make sure to do so sooner than later!
Registration Announcement: Spring 2023 registration information will be emailed to new and continuing CSUN students as early as October 17, 2022, and after. Make sure to check your CSUN email account regularly.
Helpful resources:
- Plan Your Degree
- Registration Planner Guide
- Undergraduate Advisement
- Graduate Advisement
- Matadors Forward
Register now! - Fall 2022 advisement events and webinars are available. Plan ahead and sign up for these events. The webinars will be conducted utilizing Zoom. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend one of the live webinars or events to help you maintain your immigration status in good standing! Webinar topics consist of Curricular Practical Training, Q&A POST-OPT, General Immigration Advisement, and more. To register for our live webinars, please be sure to visit us at our Events and Webinar page. Scroll down below to check out a few of the many webinars we are highlighting for you!
Hello Fall 2022 Grads! It was great to see some of you at the Beyond Graduation webinar where we shared substantial information to help you plan for what is next after your fall 2022 graduation. We hope you have found it helpful! As a follow up, here below are some questions that you should consider as you are planning your next steps:
- Apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (Post-OPT). If you are graduating and plan to gain work experience in the United States, you may apply for Post-OPT. But hurry! Your application deadline may be fast approaching. For more information keep reading the next section about Post-OPT and review the application process from our Post-OPT website.
- Are you planning to attend another institution for Spring 2023? Make sure to submit your SEVIS Transfer Release form along with your admission letter to IESC. Instructions are listed on the form.
- Seeking to change your current F1 status to a different non-immigrant or immigrant status? You need to consult with an immigration attorney regarding changing your status. However, please be reminded that you must depart the U.S. within 60 days of completion of your academic program. Keep reading to learn more!
- Are you leaving the United States after graduation? If you are not planning to apply for Post-OPT, continue studies in a new academic program, or pursue the change of your non-immigrant status in the U.S., you must depart the U.S. within 60 days of completion of your academic program.
Fall 2022 Program completion Date is 12/23/2022 - Once a matador, always a matador! Stay connected to CSUN and enjoy all the benefits of becoming a CSUN Alumni.
POST-OPT Reminders: Congratulations to International Students who are completing their program this Fall 2022! You may begin the OPT application process now. Students may apply as early as 90 days prior to the program completion date and no later than 60 days after the program completion date. Below are some important dates to remember.
Fall 2022 Program Completion Date: 12/23/2022
Requesting OPT start dates: Students completing their studies at the end of the Fall 2021 must choose a start date between 12/24/2022 and 02/22/2023
Remember!!! USCIS must receive your application no later than 30 days from the date your OPT I-20 was issued to you, but no later than the 60th day from your program completion date whichever is earlier. Please consider the IESC processing time (up to 3 weeks) for your OPT request in your planning.
Have questions? Make sure to watch the recently updated OPT Tutorial, attend a Post-OPT QnA webinar or email your international student advisors.
Visit our Employment & Practical Training page for more information!
Are you currently on Post-OPT? Make sure to watch this video and learn more about your Reporting Requirements to help you maintain your Post-OPT in good standing. (Watch 3 min. approx.)
Dear Students,
Please find below a reminder about your SEVIS record. Make sure to read this information as it will help us help you maintain your SEVIS record and immigration status.
- Foreign Hold will show on your CSUN Student Portal very soon. If you have already submitted your proof of health insurance for Spring 2023, IESC will review it and remove your Foreign hold (aka "F" hold). If you have not submitted it yet, please visit health insurance requirement.
- Must enroll in full time course load for Spring 2023 (undergraduates with a minimum of 12 units and graduate with a minimum of 8 units). Make sure to contact your ACADEMIC ADVISOR to plan your Spring 2023 full time enrollment schedule.
- Is your CSUN I-20 expiring soon? If you will NOT COMPLETE your degree at the end of FALL 2022 semester (12/23/2022), you must apply for an Extension of Stay in order to continue your studies and to remain in correct status with immigration for future semesters. IESC will need to receive the documents listed below via email: iescrequest@csun.edu
- Completed Extension of Stay Request Form Your Academic Advisor will need to assist you by completing page 2 and submitting to iescrequest@csun.edu (see instructions on form for more information).
- Copy of Affidavit of Financial Support (include dependents if applicable).
- Copy of Bank Statement for the amount on the Affidavit of Financial Support.
- Maintain a valid U.S address at all times and update your CSUN Student Portal account. The U.S. address is required to keep your SEVIS immigration record in good standing. Any changes must be reported within 10 days of the change. Learn how to keep your information updated at UPDATE PERSONAL INFORMATION!
- Are you currently on OPT? Don’t forget to report your required POST-OPT or your STEM OPT information in a timely manner.
Please make sure to visit our Scam and Fraud Advisory webpage.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS!
Beware of ICE Imposters
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is alerting the public of individuals and organizations posing as ICE officers or agents and targeting international students. The scammers "spoof" a local ICE phone number as their caller ID and tell students that their status is in jeopardy and they can either proceed to a specific ICE location or pay X amount of dollars to solve the issue. ICE warns that the scammers are familiar with immigration lingo and can be very convincing. Don't answer the phone, but if you do, don't engage and just hang up. Learn more about the ICE alert here.
For more information, please visit the ICE website. You may also refer to the CSUN Department of Police Services’ Identity Theft.
Beware of Scammers Using SEVP Phone Numbers
There have been reports of individuals pretending to be the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Response Center (SRC) representatives and targeting international students in the United States.
These scammers will spoof a local SEVP-SRC phone number (703-603-3400) or a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office phone number (757-441-6533) and ask international students about their form I-94 documents and ask students to provide financial information.
Please do not give out any personal information or payment details to strangers over the phone. SEVP Representatives will NEVER ask you to provide financial information. Likewise, NEVER divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
Please report all incidents to the HSI tip line. If you are unsure about the validity of a call from an SEVP official, you can also contact us.
For more information, please visit the Study in the States. You may also refer to the CSUN Department of Police Services’ Identity Theft.
Your International Student Advisors can meet you where you are and they are ready to assist you!
Your International Student Advisors will continue to provide remote and in-person advisement appointments. Below, please find the ways to contact us:
- Have a quick question? Meet us for 10 minutes by booking your Express Advisement Appointment
- Need additional assistance? Meet with us for a 25-minute advisement appointment
- Also, you may Contact Us at https://www.csun.edu/international/contact-us
- Register for any of our Virtual Group Advisement Webinars and Events at https://www.csun.edu/international/eventswebinars
You are invited!!!
During Fall 2022, Let’s Talk about what’s on your mind. The International and Exchange Student Center in collaboration with the University Counseling Services is offering a free online service to support you during the challenging times you may be facing. Whether you feel sad, stressed, anxious or simply need to vent, talking can help and we’re here to listen.
This service is conveniently available from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PST) every Thursday through Zoom and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. To drop-in for your first session via zoom, you may use the following information:
Zoom Meeting ID: 894 5099 5705
For additional information, please visit the University Counseling Services.
Mark your calendar! Fridays from 2pm to 4pm (PST). Join us in-person for Coffee Hour! Meet new friends, play some games, get to know more about campus resources, and have a chance to win an Amazon gift card*. We hope to see you there!
Get involved!!! Do not miss the opportunity to get involved and participate in any of the virtual programs and events that CSUN offers. Check out the following links periodically and add them to your calendar! We are sure that you will find an event or program of your interest!