On Monday (July 6), Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued guidance regarding the Fall 2020 Semester for international students on F-1 student visas. The guidance provides restrictions for online learning and new information pertaining to the reissuance of I-20s. Please review the below information carefully, and review the full text at https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm2007-01.pdf.
CHANGES for F-1 STUDENTS- A student MUST be in at least ONE in-person course in order to maintain their immigration status in the United States. Students who are taking an entirely online schedule must depart the United States.
- Students who are taking a fully online course load will not be able to do so in the United States. If you wish to remain in the United States, we encourage you to have at least one course that is taught in-person. Please work with your academic advisor if you have questions or need assistance in finding an in-person course.
- Traditionally, international students are not able to enroll in more than one course (up to 3 credits) of online learning. Because WVU is under a hybrid instructional model for Fall 2020, you are permitted to take more than one online course, but at least one course MUST be in-person.
- Students taking in-person courses, or a mix of in-person and online, will be required to have a new I-20 issued that reflects the change to hybrid course delivery. Global Affairs will mail these new I-20s that reflect the change. This does not affect your SEVIS record and will not necessitate a new I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.
- For students taking in-person courses, Global Affairs asks that you ensure your return to Morgantown by Wednesday, August 12. This will allow for isolation prior to the start of courses, and time to complete mandatory COVID-19 testing.
- Global Affairs is available to answer your questions and concerns and can be reached at globalaffairs@mail.wvu.edu.