Everything International Students Need to Know About COVID-19: Visas, Work Authorization, SSN, and Impact On Future Enrollment
The coronavirus outbreak has led to major upheavals and uncertainty in every community, particularly international students. In a time when travel presents such high risks, it is difficult to live a life that spans continents. To help alleviate some of your stress, we have created a comprehensive guide that answers many of your questions on COVID-19’s effects on international students:
How does COVID-19 affect F-1 and other student visas?
Under the unusual circumstances, international students can continue online learning with their enrolled university and remain in the U.S., and your visa status would be unaffected.
If you are graduating in May 2020 and decide that you should remain in the U.S. for the time being, then you would need to pick one of three options:
F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), and J-1 students can apply for Academic Training.
Pursue another degree in the U.S. and if eligible, transfer your SEVIS record to the new institution.
Change to a different immigration classification, such as H-1B.
After your program end date, which can be found on your I-20 or DS-2019, you have a grace period during which you are allowed to remain in the U.S. For F-1 students, the grace period is 60 days; for J-1 students, it’s 30 days.
How would my status be affected if I am currently outside of the U.S.?
The five-month rule has been adjusted to the current situation. Typically, the five-month rule states that if an international student has been outside of the United States (and not in a study abroad program) or their university’s student record was terminated for more than five months, then their record in the Student and Exchange Visitor System would be terminated. Under these circumstances, you would need to obtain a new Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, a new SEVIS ID and pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again. (But you do not need to apply for a new student visa, unless your current student visa expired/is no longer valid.)
In the current public health emergency, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program has stated that the five-month rule would not apply if you are out of the U.S. but still making progress towards your degree program like a full-time student. In other words, as long as you are engaged in full-time remote instruction as told by your university, then current time abroad would not cause you to lose your F-1 SEVIS record.
If your school closes temporarily and does not provide an alternative method of learning, then students may maintain their active status in SEVIS as long as they plan on resuming their studies as soon as classes restart. The SEVP likens this scenario to “short-term breaks in the school calendar when classes are not in session.”
You do not need a travel authorization signature to depart the U.S., but you do need one for reentry. You only have to request a new travel authorization signature if the previous one on your I-20 is valid at the time of reentry.
What if my visa expires during the pandemic?
Generally, it is advised that you stay in the U.S., because as long as you maintain your immigration status by being in possession of a valid I-20 or DS-2019 and by meeting normal college enrollment requirements, you may stay in the U.S. even on an expired F-1 or J-1 visa.
However, if you leave the country and your visa has or will expire by the time you choose to return, you will need to obtain a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to reentry.
Note that the U.S. State Department announced on March 18th that they have suspended issuing routine visas indefinitely worldwide, but you can still apply for your immigration documents from OISS (I-20 or DS 2019) so that you will be ready to submit your application as soon as the consulates reopen.
(Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S.)
How long will it take to get my visa once the pandemic is over?
There is no definite answer, but visa services have typically scheduled student and exchange visa interviews separately from B-1/B-2 visas, meaning that the wait time for a student or exchange visitor is generally much shorter than for a business traveler or tourist. Moreover, in the case of a compelling reason, visa sections worldwide routinely expedite the process for student and exchange visitors upon request.
Consular officers may also waive your interview, if you are renewing a visa in the same classification and apply within 12 months before your visa expires.
How does COVID-19 affect CPT?
If you are currently on Curricular Practical Training and need to return to your home country, your employer may permit you to work remotely without affecting your F-1 status. If your internship is scheduled to begin in the summer and you are currently in your home country, you and your employer may make arrangements so that you meet internship requirements remotely and retain your current status. However, make sure you have prior authorization before beginning an internship.
If your internship has been shortened as a result of COVID-19, contact your school so that your CPT can be adjusted.
How does COVID-19 affect OPT?
If you are currently on Optional Practical Training and your employer allows you to work remotely, your F-1 status will remain intact. Make sure that you report your employment information so you do not accumulate days of unemployment in the SEVIS record.
If you are currently on OPT and still haven’t found a job, note that the 90-day unemployment rule still applies. If you anticipate that you would not be able to find employment within 90 days of being on OPT, you must select one of the following:
Transfer to another school in the U.S. and begin another degree-seeking program.
Change your visa status to another visa category.
Depart the U.S.
Remember, you do not need paid employment on OPT. The requirement is that you have full-time employment (at least 21 hours per week), related to your field of study, and can be completed on a volunteer basis or as an unpaid intern.
The USCIS is still accepting and processing OPT and OPT STEM applications. If you are planning to do so, you should apply as soon as possible. Note that you need to physically be in the U.S. to apply for OPT, a rule that has not changed due to COVID-19.
If you have applied for OPT and are waiting for a response for the USCIS, note that the agency can take 1-3 weeks to send you an I-797 receipt notice. You should also check your bank or credit card statement to see if they have withdrawn the funds from your account.
How can international students register for SSN during COVID-19?
Because foreign nationals on nonimmigrant visas applying for social security number require in-person servicing, F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and H-1B temporary workers cannot apply for SSN at this time.
However, if you are a F-1 student applying for OPT, you can request a SSN on the Form I-765, which you will submit to the USCIS.
How is the Exchange Visitor Program affected by COVID-19?
The State Department declared a 60-day extension on April 2 for the Exchange Visitor Program.
Sponsors must extend their insurance coverage, providing the same coverage as they did before program extension. Sponsors are also responsible for monitoring programs and updating SEVIS as necessary, terminating the program of exchange visitors who stopped actively participating in the program or updating sponsors on their whereabouts.
If an exchange visitor needs to return to your home country but their exchange program seems to allow enough time to return to the States and continue your work, your sponsor may keep the visitor’s SEVIS record active. Of course, depending on the J-1 visa expiration date, the exchange visitor may need to renew it before returning to the U.S.
All Exchange Visitor Program private sector sponsors have been advised to follow ECA COVID-19 guidelines, which state that all program start dates should be postponed for 60 days after March 12. The suspension applies to all countries.
What resources are available to international students to find housing in the US?
Most colleges and universities have asked students to leave campus by a certain date, providing extensions for students with special circumstances, particularly international students. After a certain date, some schools are charging a fee per night (Duke will require $38/night starting May 12). If you are concerned about your ability to move out or pay the fee, some schools may be open to hearing out your particular challenges, so reach out to your university.
If you must move off campus, consider housing near campus. Many domestic students who have a year-long lease may decide to return home and want someone to take over their lease. In that case, you would be helping each other.
What resources are available to international students to help cover unforeseen costs in light of COVID-19?
You may be able to help alleviate costs by getting a job after obtaining work authorization, which is permitted for international students in the case of severe economic hardship or employment with an international organization. This is the only scenario in which F-1 students can gain employment that is not related to their course of study. When school is in session, you can only work up to 20 hours per week.
The SEVP categorizes the following financial situations as “severe economic hardship”:
Loss of on-campus employment or financial aid through no fault of the student
Unexpected changes in the financial status of the student’s source of support
Unusual increases in tuition or living costs
Medical bills
Other substantial or unexpected expenses
F-1 student seeking employment authorization must meet the following criteria:
Been in F-1 status for at least one year
In good academic standing
Prove to USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship that’s beyond your control and arose after claiming F-1 status
Show that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet your needs
A letter from your school’s academic department stating that employment will not affect your course of study
You will need to pay an application fee for a Form I-765 or motion. If that is financially possible, you may apply to have the fee waived.
Another possibility is gaining work authorization through employment from a public international organization that falls under the International Organization Immunities Act. In this situation, you would not need to have completed two semesters in the U.S. to be eligible.
Furthermore, students in some universities have also created Mutual Aid Funds, through which people can donate money to support students financially affected by COVID-19. The Duke Mutual Aid was able to raise over $10,000 just a few days after establishing.
See if your school has such a network, and whether you are eligible (some funds are restricted for low-income and first-generation students, but given that this is a student-led, grassroots program, you may be able to access help by explaining your situation.) Different groups operate their mutual aid funds differently; some simply work through Excel spreadsheets and Venmo.
How does COVID-19 affect admitted or prospective international students?
If you are admitted to a U.S. institution and currently in your home country, what school will look like for you in the fall will depend on when the U.S. consulates reopen for business. Some schools are making plans for international students unable to secure visas before the fall semester to take classes online, or have the opportunity to defer their admission to Spring 2021 or Fall 2021.
Please keep in mind that due to the uncertain and rapidly changing nature of this pandemic, government policies may be subject to change as well. Stay up-to-date through the USCIS and ICE websites, their social media accounts, as well as the CDC’s website for travel advisory updates.
Given the extraordinary challenges that many of us face at the moment, make sure to take time to care for our mental health. Sit back, take a deep breath, and remember that this too shall pass. Some way, somehow.