Useful Websites
For up to date information the following links are helpful and reliable sources:
American Immigration Lawyers Association website
American Civil Liberties Union website
International Student and Scholar Services
Learning Without Borders
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) supports internationalization at the University of Denver by serving as a resource to students, faculty, and staff in meeting the needs of the international community on campus.
The International House has suspended all in-person meetings until further notice. Staff are working remotely and are available to connect with you virtually or by telephone.
Quick Resources
COVID: Winter Quarter 2021 and Spring Quarter 2021 Enrollment Requirements
SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) has not updated its Fall 2020 guidance, so ISSS advises following the Fall 2020 guidance for Winter Quarter 2021 and Spring Semester 2021. ISSS will notify students and you if SEVP updates its guidance.
F-1 students can enroll in any combination of course modalities including fully online in Winter Quarter or Spring Semester 2021 if
- they had active SEVIS records on March 9, 2020 including F-1 students who
- transferred their SEVIS records to DU; or
- processed changes of level at DU (for example, ELC to degree);
and
- they maintained full-time enrollment* in
- Spring and Fall 2020 semesters for students in the Law School; or
- 3 of the 4 quarters in 2020 for all other students.
*exceptions to full-time enrollment for F-1 students with ISSS approval of non-summer vacation term or less than full-time enrollment for academic or medical reasons. For more information visit the Enrollment Requirements page on the ISSS website.
F-1 students who arrived in the U.S. after March 9, 2020 must enroll in at least one in-person or hybrid class.
J-1 students must enroll full-time unless authorized by ISSS for less than full-time enrollment. J-1 students can enroll in any combination of course modalities that help them make academic progress including fully online. However, the purpose of the J Exchange Visitor program is to facilitate in-person exchange, so ISSS encourages enrollment in in-person or hybrid classes if possible.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: PHONE AND EMAIL PHISHING SCAMS
The University of Denver has recently faced an increase in phone and email phishing scams. A common email scam that DU students, faculty, and staff may see in their inbox is an offer of employment with an individual who typically needs some type of domestic assistance (personal assistant, dog walker, etc).
As an international student, you cannot work off-campus without authorization from ISSS or USCIS. International students should not respond to ANY emails offering employment, regardless if they are legitimate or a scam.
If you work off-campus without authorization, you are in violation of your F-1/J-1 immigration status and your SEVIS record may be terminated
For additional information on phone and email phishing scams, please download the following PDF: PHISHING SCAMS
ISSS NEWS & REMINDERS
It's Tax Season!
International students still have to file taxes! Students who earned income last year must file a full tax return. Students who did not earn income must file Form 8843. For more information on filing taxes, click HERE.
Sprintax Webinars for International Students & Scholars
March & April 2021
Given the current challenges of remote students trying to access tax information this season, the Sprintax team will be hosting a series of free open tax webinars once again to provide helpful information around nonresident tax filing obligations.
Sprintax has set up a series of tax webinars across the season and you can find the details and registration links below for the March and April webinars. All times are listed in Mountain Standard Time.
Wednesday, Mar 3rd 10:00pm MST – Register here
Monday, Mar 15th, 12:30pm MST– Register here
Monday, Mar 29th, 12:00pm MST– Register here
Tuesday, April 6th, 11:00am MST – Register here
Tuesday, April 13th, 11:00am MST – Register here
The informational webinars will cover the same topics on each occasion:
- An overview of tax for nonresident students and scholars
- Who must file a 2020 US tax return
- What income forms students/scholars may receive
- Forms that need to be completed and sent to the IRS
- We cover terms like FICA, ITIN and Form 1098-T
- What happens if students don't file, or misfile
- State tax returns
- IRS stimulus payments
- Sprintax overview
UPCOMING EVENTS
Optional Practical Training Information Session
Wednesday, March 10
1:00pm - 2:00pm
via Zoom
Optional Practical Training Information Session
Wednesday, April 7
11:00am - 12:00pm
via Zoom