Caught Between The Pandemic And The F1 Visa: The 2020 Fall Semester

Update: This announcement was rescinded, and applied only to the incoming class of Fall 2020.

An announcement on the modifications of the F1 and M1 Visa by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) on Monday set the antennas whirring around the education community: parents, students, counsellors and many involved in the process were left grappling with more questions than answers. Social Media was bombarded with messages that said ‘F1 cancelled’ causing panic amongst all stakeholders.  Reading the document as issued by SEVIS, we have understood that this order as of now is a temporary blip (specific to the Fall Semester 2020). 

As per US News, about 8% of colleges are planning to be online-only this fall, while 23% say they are planning to operate under a hybrid model. According to a tracker of nearly 1,100 colleges and universities kept by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the majority–60%–are planning to hold in-person classes, and another 8.5% are still weighing their options.

The F1 Visa is given to students who are enrolled in a full time program at the university while M1 Visa is given to students enrolled in vocational programs- both VISA categories require 'in-person' instruction. The disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic in March had led to universities and colleges truncating the spring semester. As classes went online, SEVIS relaxed their protocols allowing international students to take classes online without impacting their F1 and M1 visa. Some students returned to their home countries while others stayed behind in the US. 

With the pandemic showing no signs of abating, many colleges and universities have had to rejig their plans for the FALL semester to ensure safety for their students and community. Some universities have declared going completely online (Harvard, USC, California State University amongst many). There are others who have reaffirmed a truncated semester with only half their students on campus, ending by Thanksgiving (November 3rd week) e.g. Dartmouth, Smith and Wellesley. Many of these will function in a Hybrid format which includes a combination of in person classroom instruction and online classes. All universities will be declaring their plans and protocol in the next 2 weeks. 

It is against the backdrop of this new mode of learning amidst the pandemic which had led to the modifications of the F1 Visa. Let’s understand what this order means for students:

Scenario 1-If your University is online for the FALL Semester 2020

A) Existing students on the F1 visa in the US are required to return home.
B) Students with the F1 visa cannot return to the US.
C) Students expecting to start college in August/September 2020 can take online classes; however they will not be issued a F1 visa for this semester. 
D) Students have an option of deferring their semester -please check with your college.
E) They also have the option to transfer to a college offering ‘in person’ classes-the processes required for this is yet to be explained.
F) Students on scholarship need to check the status of their scholarship in this situation.

Scenario 2-If your University is following a hybrid model

A) Students with F1 visa can go back or continue staying in the US till the semester is over 
B) For new students-the hybrid model allows you to get a F1 visa
For both cases, the Designated School Official( DSO) will have to reissue the I-20 to incorporate detail of the Hybrid plan. 
The above exemptions are not valid for M1 Students.

Scenario 3-If your University is functioning without any modifications

A) Visa holders return to campus while new admits process their Visa as per standard regulations. 

This is an evolving situation-we are yet to see the response from universities. It is essential for students to stay in touch with their universities and respective consulates to ensure a smooth transition. Furthermore, students may also wish to explore deferring their acceptance – an option now being offered by a majority of schools – which would allow them to become a freshman next year. At the risk of repeating, if the student is a recipient of financial aid and scholarships, do check the impact of a ‘deferral’.

This directive in a manner will restrict the presence of International students in the US-given the current scenario of the pandemic in both US and India, these restrictions may prove to be a safety net. However, this is an evolving situation and we will be tracking it closely and do our best to quell your anxieties.