The Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) rescinded a broadcast message issued on July 6, 2020 and the FAQ on July 7, 2020 and has since issued Clarifying Questions for Fall 2020 FAQ on July 24. In addition to this new FAQ, the FAQ for Stakeholders from March 2020 is still valid. NAFSA’s COVID-19 Critical Resources webpage is a central place that points to COVID-19 impacts to Embassies, Travel & Re-entry Restrictions, Presidential Proclamations, and more.

Not all F-1 and J-1 students will be able to take online/virtual only classes for Fall 2020. Your ability to take virtual/online only classes currently depends on whether you are an initial or active student in SEVIS. If you are a current/active student, further details on this can be found under the “Active International Student” section of this FAQ. If you are a new/initial student, further details on this can be found under the “New International Student" section of this FAQ.

There are several travel restrictions that may impact your ability to travel throughout the globe, and well as to the United States and Massachusetts. Please consider the following information: 

1. Be aware of travel restrictions in your local province/state, home country, and any country you plan on travelling to or through. Please always check  your U.S. Embassy’s website for up-to-date information.  
2. There are five active Presidential Proclamations restricting entry to the US: 
   1. China Travel Proclamation 
   2. Iran Travel Proclamation 
   3. European Schengen Area Proclamation* 
   4. Ireland and UK Proclamation 
   5. Brazil Proclamation
      A brief description, and hyperlinks to the official proclamations can be found on the NAFSA Critical Resources page. It is our understanding that students are exempt from this travel proclamation.
3. There are certain restrictions on the Canada-US border and Mexico-U.S. border. Read more about them.
4. In addition to the above travel restrictions, the state of Massachusetts has also implemented its own travel order effective Aug. 1, 2020. All travelers to Massachusetts are required to complete the Massachusetts Travel Form, and to quarantine for 14 days. Failure to comply results in a $500 per day fine.   
5.  We recommend students review the NAFSA resource COVID-19 Restrictions on U.S. Visas and Entry. This resource includes information on Presidential Proclamations, updates on U.S. consular and visa services, designated airports and more.   
6. Review CDC travel guidance, including: 
   1. CDC international travel recommendations
   2. Travel recommendations by country
   3. Returning from International Travel

ISSO is aware of a few embassies resuming some processing. To find information for the U.S. Embassy in your home country, please review the U.S. Embassy website.

To find information on Visa Appointment wait times or availability please check this State Department webpage.

New students in “Initial” SEVIS Status will likely not be eligible for a visa if their course load for Fall 2020 is fully online/virtual. Before attending your visa interview, please be sure to verify that you are enrolled full-time for Fall 2020 and that at least one of your courses is in person or hybrid in order to meet SEVP requirements. Students should request a letter from ISSO verifying that UMass Lowell is not a fully online program for Fall 2020.

Initial students who are not able to receive a visa in time for Fall 2020, can request an updated Form I-20 from ISSO to reflect a start term of Spring 2021. You likely have the following enrollment options at UMass Lowell:  

• Request deferral of your acceptance to UMass Lowell for a Spring 2021 start of your program of study, OR  
• Inquire with your academic department on whether you may begin your academic program through online or virtual* courses from overseas.   

In both cases, your SEVIS record and Form I-20 would be updated by the ISSO to reflect a start date of Spring 2021, and your SEVIS record would be activated upon your arrival to UMass Lowell in January 2021.  

Before Sept. 1, ISSO will ask that you confirm your plan for Fall 2020 via an electronic form.  

*Please note that virtual classes have regularly scheduled meeting days and times, so please consider time zones before enrolling in virtual courses. 

All new/initial students wishing to enter the U.S. for Fall 2020 will need to have course enrollments that are not completely online/virtual. Before arriving to the U.S., you should enroll for Fall 2020 courses, and ensure that at least one course is in-person or hybrid.  

All students arriving after Sept. 1 must already be enrolled full-time in their degree program and must follow the below protocols:  

1. Must be enrolled full-time and travel with proof of registration 
2. Must receive written approval from their academic advisor to arrive past the start of classes 

Arrival after the Add/Drop Period (Sept. 15-30): 

1. Must have written approval from their academic department for beginning studies late
2. If you cannot arrive to the U.S. before Sept. 30, ISSO would traditionally update your I-20 to reflect a Spring 2021 start, deferring your admission and issuing an I-20 to reflect the same. If there is updated guidance from SEVP relating to late arrivals, we will be sure to notify you. 

If you are unable or would prefer to not begin your program through online courses from your home country, we recommend you contact the Graduate Admissions or Undergraduate Admissions office to see whether you are eligible to defer your admission to Spring 2021. Once your admission is updated to reflect Spring 2021, ISSO will update your Form I-20 to reflect a start term of Spring 2021. 

On July 24, SEVP posted their Clarifying FAQ for Fall 2020, outlining the following: 

• Students actively enrolled in the U.S. on March 9, 2020 and who have otherwise maintained their lawful status, are permitted to remain in the U.S. while taking their Fall 2020 course load fully online/virtual.  
• Students actively enrolled in the U.S. on March 9, 2020, and who have otherwise maintained their lawful status and who have received a change of education level Form I-20, or who have transferred or will transfer to UMass Lowell for the Fall 2020 semester, are eligible to remain in the U.S. while taking a course load that is fully online/virtual for the fall semester. 

Yes, you can return to or remain in your home country, taking online/virtual courses for the fall semester. ISSO will keep your SEVIS record in Active status. However, we will notify you, should any further guidance be issued on this item.

Yes, although your failure to enroll in any courses for the Fall 2020 semester will require you to depart the U.S. prior to the start of the Fall 2020 semester (if in the U.S. currently). Thereafter, the ISSO would terminate your F-1/J-1 student status and SEVIS record. It may be possible for the ISSO to request reactivation of your SEVIS record should you wish to return for the Spring 2021 semester, though your options may be limited depending on how long your absence from the U.S. lasts. Please consult with an ISSO official before making plans to take a leave of absence for the fall semester.