OIP Events

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. 

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

Summer/Fall 2020:

All sessions held in Union East, Tomas Rivera Conference Center (TRCC)

Tuesday, June 30 9am - 11am
Friday, August 21 9am - 11am
Friday, August 21 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday, August 26 9am - 11am
Friday, August 28 9am - 11am 

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

Seats are limited. Prior registration via CampusEdge is required. 

All sessions held in Union East, University Suite 312

Friday, February 28 1pm - 3pm
Click here to register. 

Friday, March 6, 9am - 11am
Click here to register. 

TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE

If you are unable to attend the workshop but would like help filing your taxes, free on-campus assistance designated for international students & scholars will be available on March 21 & 28, and April 4 & 11.
​​​​​​​See http://www.freetaxeselpaso.org/locations-2/ for more information.