News

Updated Fall 2020 Immigration Guidance for New International Students

This message went to all international students at JHU who have an I-20 for fall 2020 and to all students who have a pending New International Student eForm on August 3, 2020.

By now you have likely heard that on July 24 SEVP issued updated guidance and FAQs for fall 2020 that specifically addressed new students. The guidance states that new F-1 students are only permitted to enter the U.S. to begin a program of study if their program is not 100% online and the student will not take a course load that is 100% online. Students transferring their F-1 record to JHU and students beginning a second degree program at JHU who are outside the U.S. at this time are also considered “new students” according to this guidance.

Some JHU schools will have completely online and remote instruction for fall and others will be offering a combination of remote and in-person instruction and research. Per SEVP guidance, new students whose JHU programs will be completely online or remote cannot enter the U.S. for fall. New students whose JHU programs will offer in-person instruction or research should confirm with their program that they will be able to enroll in at least one in-person course for fall 2020. If that is possible, then they may enter the U.S. for fall.

All students should review OIS’s updated COVID-19 Immigration-Related FAQs for details [the Fall 2020 SEVP Student Impact Grid shared in previous communication is no longer available].

· Newly F-1 students and students transferring their F-1 record to JHU will find FAQs specific to their situation in the Newly Admitted Students section.

· F-1 students beginning a second or subsequent degree program at JHU will find FAQs specific to their situation in the Continuing Students section.

Students who have been issued a fall I-20 and are unable to enter the U.S. for fall should follow the instructions in the FAQs to notify OIS.

Please keep in mind that SEVP could issue new guidance for spring 2021. The current guidance applies only to fall 2020. We will communicate any spring updates to you once they are known.

If you have questions after reviewing the FAQs, please reach out to OIS at [email protected] or 667-208-7001. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Office of International Services