global

Guidance for F-1 International Students for 2022/23

 

The information provided below takes into account the most recent regulatory guidance, and FAU academic and student policies. This information is subject to change, and it does not exhaust all questions and concerns. International students and other stakeholders should seek clarification from International Student Services (isss@fau.edu) if they have further questions.

Note: In it's Broadcast Message from 4/18/2022, ICE continues March 2020 Guidance for the 2022/23 Academic Year 


International Student Services 2022/23 Operational Updates

ISS staff will be fully present in the office. Requests for services are to be entered in our online system through e-forms on this website: https://www.fau.edu/global/international/forms/  

Appointments with our staff can be requested in both ways: in person and remotely by completing the Advising Request Form. In addition, we are providing virtual walk-in hours where our staff member will be online to answer your questions. 

  • Tuesdays: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (ET) 
  • Wednesdays: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (ET) 
  • Thursday: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (ET) 

To find out more information and corresponding links to access the virtual rooms, plesae visit our website: https://www.fau.edu/global/international/advising-hours/ 

We will continue virtual and in person events. You can check our current event's schedule on our websiste https://www.fau.edu/global/international/. We will also notify you about the upcoming events through email, social media, and announcements on our web page


Newly admitted international students

  • International students with an initial (also transfer and change of level) SEVIS I-20 who are able to secure F-1 visas and flights to the U.S. may enter the U.S. ONLY if the student’s schedule is not 100% online. Students must take at least one or more if available courses that is not fully online and have an in-person component (e.g. hybrid course)
  • Students who have not yet entered the U.S. should check with the embassies in their countries regarding consular reopening, visa appointment, and flight availability.
  • International students should enter the U.S. no later than by the last day to add/drop the course (please check the FAU Academic Calendar). Each delay will be considered on a one-by-one bases. Students who expect visa and travel delays beyond this date are encouraged to defer their entry to the U.S. until the next semester.
  • Newly admitted international students who are unable, or choose not to enter the U.S. at the term they have been addmitted may enroll fully online from their home country. They will have to request ISS to defer their I-20 documents to the following term. While full-time enrollment is not required for immigration purposes in this case (because students are not in F-1 status until they make an entry to the U.S.), students should be aware that full-time enrollment may be a requirement for their specific academic program. Students who choose to enroll less than full-time (12 credits – undergraduate and 9 credits – graduate) must confirm with their academic departments that they are allowed to do so.
  • Students who are unable, or choose not to enter the U.S. for a specific term, and do not wish to enroll fully online must request a deferral of both their academic program and their I-20 to the next term.
  • Students who defer their I-20 to the next term yet decide to enroll online in the current term will not be able to enter the U.S. during the current session. The earliest entry date will be 30 days prior to the next session start date which is listed on their I-20.

Continuing international students

  • Continuing international students who were activally enrolled on March 9, 2020, who subsenquently took courses online while outside of the country can re-enter the United States, however, they must take at least one or more if available courses that is not fully online and have an in-person component (e.g. hybrid course)
  • Continuing international students who are outside of the U.S. are unable OR choose not to re-enter the U.S. for the next term may enroll full-time distance learning and maintain their SEVIS records active

International Graduate Assistants

The International Student Services (ISS) office does not oversee tax and payroll issues, and therefore cannot answer all questions related to limitations on employment for individuals who are outside of the U.S. In an effort to assist international GAs with questions regarding employment eligibility, we prepared the information below based on what we know at this time:

  • International Graduate Assistants (new and returning) must be in the U.S., or must be able to enter the U.S. and report to FAU in order to begin their work assignment. 
  • International GAs should arrive no later than first day of a current term. The student’s academic arrival and ISS will review and approve late arrivals on a case-by-case basis.
  • Newly admitted international students who are outside of the U.S. cannot receive employment because they are unable to process their social security number and employment verification forms (an entry in the U.S. is required before these processes take place).
  • Due to tax implications, it appears that returning GAs who are outside of the U.S. and who cannot return by the start of the semester may not be able to resume employment. We are seeking additional input from other University departments, and will notify students if this information changes.
  • The Graduate College will provide tuition waivers to GAs who remain outside of the U.S., on a case-by-case basis. Students may reach out to their academic departments to discuss the option of beginning the program online and receiving the tuition waiver for spring 2021 from the home country.
  • Students from Iran who are outside of the U.S. may not be eligible to receive tuition waivers due to export control policies.

Background

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program that administers the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVP provides guidance to SEVIS-approved schools pertaining to F-1 non-immigrant visa holders in the U.S. between March 9, 2020 and July 24, 2020, SEVP issued several policy directive and guidance documents regarding F-1 non-immigrant visa holders impacted by COVID-19.

Schools are following directives from the documents listed below:

 

Important Links regarding Travel outside of the U.S.:

International Travel Advisory – U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs

CDC Travel Restriction List:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html

Interactive Travel Regulations Map from IATA (International Air Transport Association)

 

Contact:

Edyta Klimczak, Director of International Student Services (eklimcza@fau.edu)

Jennifer Szekeres, Assistant Director of International Student Services (jszekere@fau.edu)