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Frequently Asked Questions

International Student FAQs

Updated 8/11/2021

Below is a summary of key points from the latest guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on July 24, 2020. The current guidance is in place until the end of the Spring 2022 semester.  

NEW/INITIAL STUDENTS:

  1. I have been admitted for the fall 2021 semester. Due to the closures and slow reopening of the U.S. Embassies, what are my options for the upcoming semester?

Option 1: Apply and obtain the F1 student visa to enter the United States. Once physically present in the United States, attend the fall semester at UTSA. Initial status students will be required to have at least 1 or more Face-to-Face/Hybrid courses to maintain valid F-1 visa status.

Option 2: If you are unable or nervous about traveling to the United States for the fall semester, you could enroll online and complete the semester from your home country. F1 visa is not required for this option and International Student Services (ISS) will defer your I-20 start date to the spring 2022 semester. You would be permitted to arrive in the United States up to 30 days prior to the I-20 start date for the spring 2022 semester. Earliest arrival date would be December 11, 2021.

Option 3: You could defer your admission to the spring 2022 semester or fall 2022 semester if desired. Students who decide to defer admission will require a deferred I-20 from ISS showing the spring 2022 or fall 2022 start date. Make sure to contact either International Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions with your decision.   

  1. How will I receive my form I-20?

I-20s will be distributed electronically and signed with an electronic signature. Students who prefer to have the original document mailed, please notify ISS for additional instructions.

Make sure to print the I-20 in color, sign, and date with blue ink. A printout of the I-20 will be required to enter the United States.

CONTINUING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

  1. I am currently outside of the United States and do not intend to return for the fall semester. What are my options for the upcoming semester?

Option 1: Enroll in a full-course load of online courses. ISS has been instructed to keep your SEVIS record ACTIVE to allow for re-entry to the United States for the spring 2022 semester. Continuing students who decide to return home and enroll in online courses from outside of the United States will require an updated form I-20 with the following remarks “Outside of the United States Due to COVID-19”. Contact International Student Services immediately if you decide to enroll online from outside of the United States. Contact us at: international.services@utsa.edu. Please allow 3-5 business days for ISS to process and respond to the request. It is recommended to plan ahead.   

Option 2: Request a leave of absence if you want to take the semester off. Student can then contact ISS to request reactivation of the previous SEVIS record to return to the United States for the spring 2022 semester

  1. My home country has limited technology resources; therefore, I will not be able to complete my online semester. How will this impact my current F1 visa status?

F1 visa students unable to complete the semester online due to the lack of available technology resources should notify ISS. ISS is permitted to keep records Active in SEVIS if the student intends to resume their program during the next available semester. 

  1. I am a continuing student and will be traveling back to the United States. How can I receive an updated I-20 with a travel signature?

Before requesting your I-20 with travel signature, check the second page of your current I-20 to determine if a new signature is needed. If the signature is more than 12 months old, then please continue with the travel signature request process. I-20s with a signature less than 12 months old do not need an updated signature to re-enter the United States.

Request your I-20 through our International Student Request Portal: international.utsa.edu

I-20s will be distributed electronically and signed with an electronic signature. Students who prefer to have the original document mailed, please notify ISS for additional instructions.

Make sure to print the I-20 in color, sign, and date with blue ink. A printout of the I-20 will be required to enter the United States.

  1. What will the fall semester look like at UTSA?

During our previous communication, it was stated that UTSA is incorporating a hybrid approach to the fall semester. UTSA will offer in-person, online, and hybrid courses. As the COVID-19 exemption issued by DHS during the spring semester is still in effect and extended through the end of the spring 2022 semester, our continuing students will be fully compliant with federal regulations.

Students who started at UTSA after March 2020 will require at least one in-person/hybrid course each semester until the expiration of the current enrollment exemption (spring 2022). This does not include transfer and change of level students.  

  1. I plan to graduate this fall semester, but I am currently outside of the United States. Will I be able to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) from my home country?

As an F1 visa student, you must be physically present inside the United States to submit an OPT application to USCIS. We recommend that any student outside of the country interested in applying for OPT return to the United States prior to the end of the semester (12/10/2021). Returning to the United States after the end of the semester will not be possible as student will be on their 60 day grace period and OPT application will be denied by USCIS.

  1. I am graduating in the fall 2021 semester and I need to apply for OPT.

Questions regarding OPT will require an appointment with an International Student Advisor. Please use the following link to schedule your virtual appointment: https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html

For general OPT information, please use the below link for an overview of the process: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/Guidance_for_OPT.pdf

  1. I am currently in the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Iran, China, or South Africa will I be allowed to re-enter the United States to resume my academic program for the upcoming semester?

Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F1 visas, will be allowed to enter the United States. The current travel restrictions are in place to curb tourism and non-essential arrivals.

  1. I need to apply for my social security number.

Regarding the SSN, please submit a copy of the department hiring letter in our International Student Request Portal: (Please select "letter request" > ssn) https://global.utsa.edu/forms/Guidance_for_OPT.pdf

Here is a link to our template for the department to complete: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/Letter_of_Hiring_Template.pdf     

When ISS receives the letter, ISS will also generate a letter for the students to take to the local Social Security Administration Office to request the SSN.

Here is some additional information regarding the SSN: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/Applying_for_a_Social_Security_Card.pdf  

The UTSA Payroll can also assign a temporary number to get the appointment in the system while you wait for the issuance of the SSN. Contact Payroll at payroll@utsa.edu.

  1. Applying for a Reduced Course Load (RCL)
    1. I am graduating this semester and do not require a full course load
    2. Thesis/Dissertation only
    3. Medical

Submit your RCL request in our International Student Request portal: international.utsa.edu

**Upload documents indicated within request form for specific RCL reason**

**Make sure to enroll in your classes prior to submitting RCL request**

  1. Change of Address

Submit your change of address in our International Student Request portal: international.utsa.edu

Also, make sure to update the address in the ASAP system. [ASAP: Automated Student Access Program]

  1. I have an internship offer and need to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Questions regarding CPT will require an appointment with an International Student Advisor. Please use the following link to schedule for your virtual appointment: https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html

Submit your CPT request in our International Student Request portal: international.utsa.edu

For general CPT information, please use the below link for an overview of the process: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/CPT_application.pdf

  1. Addressing student holds from ISS

ISS can only remove the following holds, “Passport/Orientation”, “Immigration Document Review”, and “CPT transcript”.

**TB and Meningitis holds can only be addressed by Student Health Services**

  1. Questions regarding tuition rates

All questions regarding tuition and fees will be addressed by One Stop Enrollment/Residency. https://onestop.utsa.edu/registration/establishing-texas-residency/

  1. Questions regarding scholarships

All questions regarding tuition and fees will be addressed by One Stop Enrollment/Scholarships. https://onestop.utsa.edu/scholarships/

  1. Questions regarding International Student Health Insurance

Waiver Deadline: September 13, 2021

Apply for Waiver: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/waiver

Insurance Information: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/

Contact: Insurance.advisor@utsa.edu

Coverage Dates for Fall:

  • Continuing Students – September 1 through December 31
  • New Students – August 1 through December 31

Cost for Fall:

  • Continuing Students – $1,066
  • New Students – $1,066 + $272 (month of August)

**Health Insurance automatically billed at the time of class enrollment**

  1. Reporting OPT Employment

All employment updates (new and ending) must be reported within 10 days. Use the International Student Request Portal to submit updates: international.utsa.edu