Published on Jul 24, 2020
Earlier today the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released updated guidance and FAQs specific to F-1 international students continuing in academic programs, as well as providing clarification for our newly admitted incoming students.
Notable within the guidance:
- Incoming and newly admitted F-1 students in initial status will not be able to enter the U.S. for Autumn quarter to pursue a full course of study that is 100 percent online.
- Incoming and newly admitted F-1 students may apply for an F-1 visa stamp from a U.S. consulate or embassy to enter the U.S. to begin a “hybrid” academic program (one that includes in-person and online components).
- Continuing students may choose to take their Autumn quarter classes fully online or hybrid (classes with both online and in-person components) and can still maintain their F-1 status.
- Continuing students enrolling fully online in autumn quarter may reside in the U.S. or abroad and take their courses. These students will be maintaining their F-1 student visa status so long as they are enrolled full-time.
- Returning and newly admitted students who arrive in the U.S. in F-1 status may remain in the U.S. even if their educational institution switches to a hybrid program or to fully online instruction. The F-1 students will maintain their nonimmigrant status in this scenario and would not be subject to initiation of removal proceedings based on their online studies.
Today’s guidance is available here.
The related FAQ’s are available here.
We recognize that there are likely to be new and additional questions as a result of this information. With peer institutions and professional associations, we are working to fully review and analyze the information shared today. We will continue to provide updates and share information with you as soon as it becomes available.