Immigration Regulations - Spring 2021

on

 With the spring semester starting (and students staggering in, the Center for International Education (CIE) would like to share what we know at this time to help students confirm their academic plan. Please read the rest of this message carefully, as it contains important information pertaining to the spring 2021 semester.

There are several factors that will influence international students’ plans for the spring 2021 semester:

  1. Guidance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

On December 9, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) clarified that for the spring 2021 semester F-1 students should abide by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) guidance originally issued in March 2020, which was also applied to the fall 2020 semester. This guidance allows distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the public health emergency generated by COVID-19.

  1. The mode (i.e. in-person, hybrid, or online) of course instruction MC is permitted to offer per CDC and local, Tennessee, and Federal Department of Public Health guidelines

The College remains in Restricted Operations until February 8th. Please note that any details about the spring semester are subject to change pending public health guidance.



  1. Travel restrictions and embassy closures due to the pandemic

We understand that difficulties securing a student visa or dealing with some existing U.S. entry restrictions due to COVID-19 may make it difficult for some students to get to campus for spring semester. Travel considerations are outlined in detail at the end of this document.

What does this mean for CONTINUING international students who are currently in the U.S.?

  • Continuing students who are currently in the U.S. in F-1 status and will remain in the U.S. for spring 2021 may continue to take face-to-face, hybrid or online classes. These students will maintain an active Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record as long as they enroll in a full course load and otherwise maintain their immigration status.
  • Continuing students who are currently in the U.S. in F-1 status and will be outside of the U.S. for the spring semester may continue to take classes online. These students will maintain an active Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record as long as they enroll in a full course load and otherwise maintain their immigration status.
  • Continuing students who are currently in the U.S. and do not intend to enroll in the spring 2021 semester should consult with their academic advisor regarding the possibility of a Leave of Absence (LOA).  The five-month temporary absence provision will begin on the date of departure from the U.S.

What does this mean for CONTINUING international students who are currently outside the U.S.?

  • Continuing students who are currently outside the U.S. in F-1 status and will remain outside the U.S. for spring 2021 may continue to take online classes. These students will maintain an active Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record as long as they enroll in a full course load and otherwise maintain their immigration status.
  • Continuing students who are currently outside the U.S. in F-1 status and wish to return to the U.S. for spring 2021 may continue to take online classes. To re-enter the U.S., these students must have a valid F-1 visa, an I-20 endorsed for travel and it is a good idea for you to have a copy of your transcript and course schedule. These students will maintain an active Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record as long as they enroll in a full course load and otherwise maintain their immigration status.
  • Continuing students who are currently outside the U.S. in non-F-1 status – which includes students admitted for the fall 2020 semesters who began their programs from outside the U.S. – and wish to enter the U.S. for spring 2021 may not take 100% online classes. These students may only enter the U.S. if they are able to obtain an F-1 visa and can confirm enrollment in at least one hybrid or in-person course for the spring 2021 semester. This will require you to have at least one hybrid class on your schedule of classes on the first day of classes for Spring semester. If you enter the U.S. with the expectation of hybrid courses and are unable to demonstrate enrollment in a hybrid class as of the first day of classes, the CIE will not be able to activate your SEVIS record, which may result in you having to depart the U.S. These students will maintain an active Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record as long as they enroll in a full course load and otherwise maintain their immigration status.
  • Continuing students who are currently outside the U.S. in non-F-1 status – which includes students admitted for the fall 2020 semester who began their programs from outside the U.S. – and will remain outside of the U.S. for spring 2021 may continue to take online classes in non-F-1 status. 

  • Continuing students with an active or initial attendance I-20 who will remain outside the U.S. for spring 2021 and will not be enrolled in classes must file for a Leave of Absence (LOA) through the CIE. The five-month temporary absence provision will begin on December 5, 2020, for students who were enrolled in the fall 2020 semester.

What does this mean for NEW international students who are currently outside of the U.S.?

  • Spring 2021 admitted students who are currently outside the U.S. and wish to enter the U.S. with an initial I-20 may not take 100% online classes. These students may only enter the U.S. if they are able to obtain an F-1 visa and can confirm enrollment in at least one hybrid or in-person course for the spring 2021 semester. To activate their SEVIS record, and register for classes, new students must first complete immigration check-in (part of orientation) upon entry to the U.S. This will require you to have at least one hybrid class on your schedule of classes on the first day of classes for Spring semester. If you enter the U.S. with the expectation of hybrid courses and are unable to demonstrate enrollment in a hybrid class as of the first day of classes, the CIE will not be able to activate your SEVIS record, which may result in you having to depart the U.S. 
  • Spring 2021 admitted students who are currently outside the U.S. and will remain outside the U.S. have two options:
    1. Begin academic program from abroad as a non-F-1/J-1 student.
      • Contact your academic advisor to inform them of your plans for spring 2021 and to find a suitable schedule of online courses.
    2. Inquire about possible options for beginning your academic program in a future semester. Contact your admissions advisor for guidance.

Other Considerations

Travel:

  • Any plans for returning the U.S. may be disrupted due to difficulty acquiring a student visa, travel/entry restrictions, or for some students, lack of available hybrid or in-person classes in your academic program.
  • Students with valid F-1 visas do not need to apply for a new visa before traveling to the U.S. to resume their studies.
  • On January 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from abroad to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.
  • Travel restrictions remain in place for all travelers coming from China, Brazil and Iran.
  • Many U.S. embassies and consulates are still closed, although some have begun a phased resumption of routine visa services on a post-by-post basis and are beginning to prioritize student visas. Continuing students who need a new visa are eligible to apply; however, issuance of the visa is at the discretion of their local U.S. embassy or consulate. Many students with confirmed visa appointments have had their interviews postponed multiple times or cancelled.
  • Traveling with all the required documents gives students the best chance to enter the U.S. without incident; however, should any student experience problems at an airport or land border port-of-entry, they may call the CIE at +1-865-273-8991 and leave a detailed message including their name, date of birth, nationality, current location, airline and flight number, phone number and email address. A representative from the CIE will provide initial guidance.
  • All students returning to in-person activities in the spring of 2021 will be required to receive an annual influenza vaccine and participate in any COVID-19 testing asked of the institution.
  • Students facing challenges getting to campus for spring 2021 classes due to travel difficulties should contact their academic advisor and the CIE to discuss remote enrollment options.

Enrollment:

  • As long as continuing students in F-1 status enroll in a full course load and maintain their immigration status, MC will continue to keep their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records active even if they are outside of the U.S. for more than five months.
  • Continuing students in F-1 status should not drop below the full course load requirement unless permitted to do so either through a Reduced Course Load (RCL) or Leave of Absence (LOA) approved by their academic advisor and CIE. No extra RCLs are available due to the pandemic.
  • The CIE is not able to register SEVIS records for students who are currently outside of the U.S., enter the U.S. on an initial attendance I-20, and are enrolled in 100% online courses. This includes:
      • New students
      • Students returning from a Leave of Absence (LOA)
      • Students travelling to reinstate status or change status to F-1
  • This will require you to have at least one hybrid class on your schedule of classes on the first day of classes for Spring semester. If you enter the U.S. with the expectation of hybrid courses and are unable to demonstrate enrollment in a hybrid class as of the first day of classes, the CIE will not be able to activate your SEVIS record, which may result in you having to depart the U.S.

Employment:

  • For new and continuing students currently in the U.S., and continuing students with active F-1 status outside the U.S., spring 2021 semester enrollment will count towards the one academic year requirement for CPT/OPT eligibility.
  • Students must be present in the U.S. at the time of applying for OPT. Students are not permitted to apply for OPT from outside the U.S.
  • Currently, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will allow students to engage in CPT remotely in the U.S. or abroad for a U.S. employer, provided the student is enrolled in the appropriate USC internship course and either the employer has an office outside the US or the employer has a means to assess student engagement and attainment of learning objectives remotely.

MC and the CIE are committed to advocating for the members of our international community and we are here to support you. We know the past few months have been very difficult, especially with so many uncertainties impacting international students. If you find yourself or your peers in need of additional support, please refer to MC resources for Counseling and Mental Health contact information and other support offices at MC. As always, your academic advisors are also available to discuss enrollment options for the spring 2021 semester.