OIP Events
OIP offers various workshops, seminars, cross-cultural events throughout the semester.
Events can be found below, and are listed on the UTEP Events page and our Facebook.
International Student Orientation
OIP offers multiple International Student Orientation sessions at the beginning of each term.These sessions cover important topics such as maintaining your immigration status, work authorization, submitting requests through Sunapsis, cultural adjustment, immigration documents, and more.
All sessions will have light refreshments (snacks and beverages), interactive games, and very important handouts to help you understand and maintain your immigration status.
SPRING SEMESTER 2022 ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
- Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. –11:00 a.m. MST
- Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. MST
- Friday, January 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MST
- Friday, January 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. MST
Location: Union East, 3rd Floor, Templeton Suite 313
- Virtual Spring 2022 Make-Up Orientation: Friday, February 11, 2022 (Time will be Announced Soon)
Go to: Explore - MineTracker (utep.edu)
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT
Certain students are REQUIRED to attend an International Student Orientation session at the beginning of their program.
Students who are required to attend will be notified by email of the requirement at least once before the start of the term. You are required to attend International Student Orientation if you are:
- A new student
- A transfer student
- Changing from the undergraduate level to the graduate level
- Returning from an absence of two semesters or longer
Continuing students are welcome to attend for a refresher on important immigration information.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ATTENDING
If you were required to attend a session but did not attend, or you left early, a HOLD will be placed on your OIP account. You must meet the Orientation requirement before any OIP requests will be processed. Students who failed to meet the Orientation requirement will be emailed with further instructions after the last scheduled Orientation session.
More importantly, students who do not attend Orientation are at a very high risk of immigration status violations that can stay on their immigration record forever. Being an international students comes with many rules and benefits. Many status violations are caused by students who were simply not aware that they were doing something they weren't supposed to be doing, or because they failed to do something that they were supposed to do. Orientation serves as the base for informing you of what you need to know, and providing you with the resources to learn the rest.
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Students must register in advance for their preferred session since seating is limited. An email will be sent with instructions out once registration is open for each session. All registration is done through Sunapsis.
If your plans change, you can reschedule your session at any time through Sunapsis.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
TBD
OPT Workshops for F-1 Students
OIP will hold OPT Workshops throughout the year (Visit our OPT Web Page for Workshop Information). Workshops are highly encouraged. Attending a workshop will help you understand about the multi-step application process and the rules you need to follow while on OPT. We recommend attending a workshop during the last year of your program so you'll have plenty of time to apply.
Beginner's Guide to International Students
Virtual Workshop (Link will be posted soon)
Friday, March 31, 2022; 10:00am-12:00pm (Virtual)
RSVP through MineTracker
In-person Workshop
Wednesday, April 20, 2022; 3:00pm-5:00pm (In-person) Location: TBD
RSVP through MineTracker
How do you file taxes? Do you have to file? When? Where? Why?
The U.S. tax system is one of the most complicated in the world, and it can be confusing even for individuals who have been filing for years. At this workshop, you will learn the basics of the U.S. tax system for international students & scholars so you what you have to do to stay in compliance with tax and immigration laws.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Friday, February 4, 2022; 9:00am-11:00am
ATTENTION: Due to inclement weather, this event has been transitioned to be held online as a precaution.
Be sure to RSVP through MineTracker. The link to join is included in the RSVP.
