Newsletter-12/12/2022

Student Advising & Building Hours for Tuesday, 12/13

The Bechtel International Center will close at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13 for the Bechtel Holiday Lunch. Walk-in advising and document pick-up/drop-off will not be available that afternoon. We will reopen on Wednesday, December 14 at 10 a.m.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

Notice! Winter Break Closures

Building closes: Friday, December 16 at 4 p.m.
(Staff working remotely: Dec 19-20)

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. (Staff will work remotely Monday, Dec 19 and Tuesday, Dec 20)
• 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.

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.

Post-Completion OPT Application Workshop, Part 1 (for Winter 2023 graduates)

Friday, December 16, 2022

4pm PST

Zoom link
Password: 938418

Part 1 of this  OPT application workshop was for students who are graduating the Fall 2022 quarter with a degree conferral of January 12, 2023. Part 1 focuses on making the endorsement request in Bechtel Connect, the online I-765, and the USCIS application packet. October 4 is the earliest Fall 2022 graduates can request a Post OPT endorsed I-20 in Bechtel Connect. October 14 is the earliest Fall 2022 graduates can submit the Post OPT application to USCIS.

Post-Completion OPT Application Workshop, Part 2 (for Winter 2023 graduates)

Zoom link
Password: 220537

Wednesday, January 11, 2023
4pm PST
Part 2 is for students who have completed the application packet and will focus on reviewing your application as well answering application questions in a group format. Part 2 will not be recorded. October 14 is the earliest Fall 2022 graduates can submit the Post OPT application to USCIS.

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.