Newsletter-12/05/2022

Notice! Winter Break Closures

Building closes: Friday, December 16 at 4 p.m.

BIC Closes for Winter Break: Wednesday, December 21

Bechtel Re-opens at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4
 

-The Bechtel International Center building will close for fumigation on Friday, Dec 16 at 4 p.m. No pick-ups or services in the building will be available until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan 4.

-The Bechtel International Center will close of the Winter Break from December 21 to January 3. Services will resume at 10 a.m. on January 4.

Travel signatures or document pick-ups must be completed by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 16. The building will be inaccessible until January 4.

Evening Travel Signature Party!

Thursday, December 8, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Conference Room, Bechtel International Center

Obtain a travel signature ONLY IF:
- You may be traveling internationally during the winter break 

And, one of these is true:

- You are currently an F-1/J-1 student, or a J-1 student on Academic Training, and the travel signature on your most recent I-20/DS-2019 is dated on or before February 1, 2022.

- You are on OPT/STEM Extension and the travel signature on your most recent I-20 is dated on or before July 1, 2022.

- You have no travel signature on page 2 of your I-20.

Travel Advisory

For International Travel
Travel document checklist here!

For Domestic Travel

-Travel with your passport, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94
-Valid travel signature is not needed on the I-20 or DS-2019

Need to renew your visa before you return to the U.S.?

Students continue to report difficulties obtaining visa appointments and a lengthy visa renewal process. If you will need to renew your visa before returning from your international travel, you will need to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country and determine whether you will have enough time for your visa to be renewed.

Bechtel Website Update Help

Help us improve the Bechtel International Center website
We’re redesigning our website this Autumn and need your help to validate our new navigation to ensure you – and fellow international students – can easily find information you need. Participate in this online, self-paced navigational test, which should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for helping us improve your student experience at Stanford.

Let's Get Social!

explore new traditions and--most importantly--eat free food? Look no further! The programming team at the Bechtel International Center has just launched a new newsletter and Instagram page. Follow us on both platforms for consistent updates on all of the parties, trips and experiences that you won't want to miss out on. We have some exciting activities coming up including a special trip around Northern California and some fun events right here on campus (we hope you like puppies, hint, hint). Sign up today and join our virtual community!

Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter here!
Follow our Instagram here!

Thank you for your patience

The Bechtel International Center wants to thank all of you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. There is no need to send multiple emails before we can respond to your original email or follow-up emails once you have submitted an I-20/DSO-2019 request or a STEM Extension request. Please include your student ID # or SEVIS # on all your email inquiries. Ring for Emergency Travel Signature

We strive every day to answer your emails and process your I-20/DS-2019 requests as we shelter-in-place and deal with the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 response. If it seems like we are taking a little longer to respond to your email or process your request, please remain patient and be assured that we will get to your questions or requests as quickly as we can.

• The front desk will re-open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The front desk can provide travel signatures as well as direction on how to receive assistance but not immigration advising. The front desk (located on the second floor of Bechtel) will be closed from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• If approaching the front desk or going to the Assembly Room for afternoon walk-in advising, we kindly request that you wear a mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be available for you to use.
• The hours to pick up documents from the pick-up area located near the bottom of the stairs have been extended to 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.