EVENTS and NEWS

Upcoming OPT Information Sessions

F-1 students are eligible for full-time or part-time employment, for a total of twelve months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) per educational level. OPT provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge obtained in an academic program to a practical work experience in the US.

If this is your last semester, you are encouraged to attend at least one OPT information sessions

• Wednesdays, September 20,27, October 4 and 25, 1:00-2:30 via Zoom.
• Preview the OPT Information Session Slideshow

SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities Terminated

Here's what you need to know:

Starting in the Fall 2023 semester, all F-1 graduate, or undergraduate students may register for only one fully online course out of their full-time enrollment, 9 credits for graduate students and 12 credits for undergraduate students, during the fall and spring semesters; hybrid courses are considered in person classes. Attending school during the summer or winter sessions is optional, not mandatory for F-1 students.

President Biden announced the termination of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency, effective on May 11, 2023, following the termination of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023. While the Student and Exchange Visitor Program's (SEVP) COVID-19 guidance is terminated as of May 11, 2023, Active F and M nonimmigrant students will be able to complete the 2022-23 academic year under the COVID-19 flexibilities through the 2023 summer semester.

However, Active F and M nonimmigrant students will not be permitted to count online classes toward a full course of study in excess of the regulatory limits stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v) for the 2023-24 academic year. Initial or re-entering students must enroll in programs complying with the regulatory limits for distance learning as stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G).

Please refer to the full announcement from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which includes a link to frequently asked questions.

• See more information
• See the most recent update regarding SEVP

Digital I-20s

Due to the COVID-19 situation and based on recent guidance from the US government, the International Students Office staff are currently issuing digitally signed I-20s. Students in J-1 status will still receive a printed DS-2019 if they require a new DS-2019 as government guidance has not yet been released on digital DS-2019s.

This means that if you are a student in F-1 status and you apply for anything that requires a new I-20 (for example, a travel signature, OPT, CPT, etc.), you will receive a digital I-20 at your Hunter College email account instead of receiving a new, printed I-20, once your document is ready; only students applying for social security numbers, will require an original I-20.

REMINDER TO F-1 STUDENTS:

You are required to pay the non-New York state resident tuition and fees, regardless of how long you have resided in New York State.

From the Hunter College International Students Office (ISO).

The International Student Office is open to visitors, and we can assist you during office hours. You may also email us at intlss@hunter.cuny.edu or call 212-772-4864. After office hours, we strongly encourage you to review the information on this website.

International Travel

We understand that some students wish to travel overseas; before leaving the United States, please email us at intlss@hunter.cuny.edu and complete our travel request form at bit.ly/isotravel. Let us know that you'll need a travel endorsement signature. The travel endorsement signature will enable you to enter the United States when you return.

If you have already left the U.S. without a travel endorsement signature, please email us one month before your return to the United States and and complete our travel request form at bit.ly/isotravel to get your signed/endorsed I-20 for F-1 students, or DS2019 for J-1 Exchange Visitor students; your respective form shall be transmitted via email.

For Further Assistance

Please contact Iris Aroyewun-Birchwood, Director, at iaroyewu@hunter.cuny.edu, or Nadege Coriolan, International Students Advisor at ncoriola@hunter.cuny.edu and always copy the ISO email: intlss@hunter.cuny.edu.

Iris Aroyewun-Birchwood
Director
International Students Office(ISO)

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