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Original Date Announced
March 9, 2020COVID-19: The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued guidance on how schools affected by coronavirus can report procedural adaptations for F and M nonimmigrant students, including online instruction or alternate physical location. [ID #781]
Broadcast Message: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Potential Procedural Adaptations for F and M nonimmigrant studentsEffective Date
March 9, 2020Subsequent Trump-Era and Court Action(s)
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March 13, 2020
COVID-19: Guidance for SEVP Stakeholders
On March 13, 2020, SEVP issued follow-on guidance specifically addressing the status of students in three common scenarios: 1) A school completely closes and does not have online courses or other alternate learning procedures; 2) A school temporarily stops in-person classes but implements online or other alternate learning procedures and the nonimmigrant student remains in the United States; and 3) A school temporarily stops in-person classes but implements online or other alternate learning procedures and the nonimmigrant student departs the United States.
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May 21, 2020
COVID-19 Guidance for SEVP Stakeholders May 21 Update
On May 21, 2020, SEVP added additional guidance on M students and schools to its FAQ.
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August 7, 2020
Broadcast Message on Reporting School Procedural Adaptations to SEVP
ICE issues broadcast message stating that schools must provide notice of procedural changes made in response to COVID-19 within 10 business days of the date of the decision to make the change. If SEVP-certified schools have already submitted a procedural change plan, they do not need to submit an additional plan unless the school is substantively altering the plan. The broadcast message includes other requirements for filing the plans.
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August 18, 2020
USCIS Reminds F1 Noncitizens and DSOs to input employer info in SEVIS
USCIS reminds F-1 noncitizens participating in post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and their designated school officials (DSOs), that they must update the employer information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), including unemployment data. Federal regulations require F-1 noncitizens to notify their DSO within 10 days of any changes to their personal or employment information. In turn, DSOs must update SEVIS with the noncitizen's information within 21 days. This reminder helps ensure F-1 noncitizens and DSOs properly comply with existing requirements
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Biden Administration Action
May 31, 2022ICE Clarifies Continuation of March 2020 Guidance for the 2022-23 Academic Year
This ICE broadcast modifies the original entry because although it clarifies that the March 2020 guidance will continue to apply for the 2022-23 school year, that will be true only for nonimmigrant students who were actively enrolled at a U.S. school on March 9, 2020, and have continuously complied with the terms of their nonimmigrant status.
Students who enrolled after March 9, 2020, must adhere to SEVP’s existing regulations regarding online learning, found at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(6).
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced
May 11, 20232023.05.11 ICE Issues Notice of Termination of SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities
This Biden administration policy revokes in its entirety the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On May 11, 2023, ICE issued a notice that SEVP Covid-19 guidance is terminated as of that date. However, active F and M nonimmigrant students will be able to complete the 2022-23 academic year under the Covid-19 flexibilities through the 2023 summer semester.
Students will not be permitted to count online classes toward a full course of study in excess of the regulatory limits stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v) for the 2023-24 academic year. Initial or re-entering students must enroll in programs complying with the regulatory limits for distance learning as stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G).
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Modified
August 27, 20242024.08.27 USCIS Policy Update STEM OPT
USCIS is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding online study for F-1 students. The policy update clarifies that F-1 students may count one class or three credits of online or distance learning during each term or semester toward a full course of study.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Not in effectMost Recent Action
August 27, 2024 Action: Modified 2024.08.27 USCIS Policy Update STEM OPTMay 31, 2022Acted on by Biden Administration
May 11, 2023Acted on by Biden Administration
August 27, 2024Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: Agency DirectiveSubject Matter: Non-Immigrant Visas: StudentPre Trump-Era Policies
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January 29, 2020
Previous guidance issued by SEVP on January 29, 2020 did not address the implications of procedural adaptations implemented by schools in response to COVID-19. The guidance specifically addressed what actions schools should take if they have international students currently located outside the U.S. in impacted places or who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The March 9, 2020 announcement supersedes this message.
Broadcast Message: 2019 Novel Coronavirus and F and M nonimmigrants