New SEVP Guidelines for International Students

The novel coronavirus has derailed Fall 2020 admissions. Students are clueless about how their abroad education dreams will be affected during this pandemic. Along with Fall 2020, even the current students are under duress concerning their student visa status. We had written a blog on MS in US Fall 2020 - What Your Future Holds Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic and had promised to keep our readers updated with the new happenings. As promised, we are presenting the newest information we found for international students studying in the US. 

For real-time updates, follow GyanDhan’s discussion on COVID -19, Update by Universities For Fall 2020 Aspirants - Post admit / Pre-departure 

Student and Exchange Visitor Program, a program under the Department of Homeland Security, administers Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) updated basic information regarding the frequently asked questions from SEVP stakeholders about the impact of COVID-19 on SEVP certified schools and F & M students. 

Read on further to know what the guidelines are - 

For Fall 2020 Aspirants 

Question 1.  How will I receive my I-20 form? Will it be mailed or sent physically? 

Answer - Since the novel coronavirus may persist on a surface for several hours to a few days, the DSOs might send the I-20 form electronically on the email ID listed in the SEVIS. 

Question 2. What methods are being adopted to send the I-20 form? 

Answer - SEVP has formulated a few methods to send the I-20 forms to the students : 

1. Email a scanned version of the physically signed I-20.
2. Email a digitally signed I-20 form
3. Email a digitally signed Form I-20 that contains a digitally reproduced copy of a physical signature. 

Source of information - C&O Pre-submitted Q&A Style 
 
Question 3. I have already paid the I-901 SEVIS fee and couldn’t enroll for the next session. Can I transfer my I-901 fee?

Answer - If you have already paid the SEVIS fee, you are eligible for a fee transfer if you reapply for the visa within the 12 months of the date of the initial I-901 Fee payment.
If you haven’t yet paid the fee, you do not need to transfer the fees as long as you do not make changes in your SEVIS record. 

For Current Students 

Question 1. What will happen to the student status of students who have left the United States and are taking classes online? 

Answer - Since all US universities are conducting online classes and practicing remote teaching, the SEVIS record of international students who have left the States will remain in Active status and will not be terminated. The SEVP body has allowed the F and M students to count online classes as a full course of study. International students can take these online classes from anywhere.

Question 2. The school has shifted to online teaching but not all classes are offered as some cannot be taught online. What will happen as I am not meeting the full course of study requirements?

Answer - The full course of study requirements are waived off for the time being due to COVID-19. This is the responsibility of your school to resubmit the documents as part of their submission to SEVP.  

Question 3. For how long will this be in effect?

Answer - This is a temporary provision made only because of COVID-19 and will be in effect only until then. Once the situation is controlled, these provisions will be withdrawn. 

Question 4. I arrived in the United States before the outbreak. What will happen to my Initial Student status? 

Answer - Initial status students who have already reported to their schools and are currently in the United States will be made Active in SEVIS. You will have to follow the guidelines of the school you are enrolled in. If you have not yet left for the United States, then you are advised to stay put in your home country until the situation is controlled. 

Question 5. I came back to India and am taking online classes. Will this affect my optional practical training (OPT)/ CPT and social security number (SSN) status? 

Answer - The US Department of Homeland Security has not come out with any guidelines so far in this regard. They, however, are evaluating the situation and will come up with additional guidelines. 

Question 6. Has SEVP given any advice for students who want to apply for OPT?

Answer - The Department of Homeland Security is still evaluating the issue regarding OPT and will issue additional information after due diligence. 

Question 7. I am an F/M student. Will I be allowed to return to the United States if I am continuing my studies from outside of the USA? 

Answer - As long as you are making progress in your studies and being regular, you will be allowed to reenter the USA. 

Question 8. I traveled back to my home country for Spring Break and now the classes have been shifted to online learning. Will my student visa status change if I choose to remain in my country? 

Answer - You will have to contact your DSOs for alternate study arrangements so as to maintain your student visa status. 

Question 9.  My school has completely closed and does not have any online courses or alternate learning procedures. What will happen to my student status? 

Answer - If the school temporarily closes and does not have any alternate teaching method, it will be counted as a short-term break where the classes aren’t in session. You will remain in Active status in SEVIS as long as you intend to resume your course of study when the classes resume. 

All of the above guidelines are for SEVP-certified schools. Your school may adapt their procedures and policies without prior approval from SEVP. However, the school will have to notify SEVP of these changes within 10 business days. The source of the information mentioned in this blog is the website of the Department of Homeland Security. You can check this link → C&O Pre-submitted Q&A Style 

SEVP has acknowledged the fluid nature of this pandemic and will continue to update the guidelines as and when the situation changes. Students are advised to keep an eye out for any new information SEVP issues. You can count on GyanDhan to keep you updated on any new piece of information that relates to your abroad education.