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Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders
Post-COVID-19
Last Updated: May 11, 2023
On May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) terminated its
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance to coincide with the end of the COVID-19 National
Emergency and Public Health Emergency. This document provides answers to frequently
asked questions from SEVP stakeholders about the impact of the termination of COVID-19
flexibilities.
Clarifying Questions Concerning the End of SEVP’s COVID-19 Guidance
SEVP-certified Schools
Reporting School Changes
1. Do schools need to notify SEVP of the rescission of their procedural adaptations if
school operations revert to pre-COVID procedures?
A. No, schools do not need to notify SEVP of the rescission of their COVID-19
procedural adaptions. With the termination of SEVP’s COVID-19 flexibilities,
schools’ COVID-19 procedural adaptations are voided and will no longer meet
regulatory requirements beginning with the 2023-24 academic year.
2. What should schools do if they have permanently adopted any COVID-related or
other procedural adaptations?
A. If there have been any permanent, material changes to the school’s programs since
the COVID-19 emergency, principal designated school officials (PDSOs) must
submit a Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by
Nonimmigrant Student,” update in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System (SEVIS) with supporting evidence for adjudication by SEVP. Federal
regulations at 8 CFR 214.3(g) and (h) require schools to report any material
changes to their Form I-17 petition within 21 days of the change. Designated school
officials (DSOs) should review their school’s Form I-17 petition to ensure it reflects
the school’s most up-to-date information and current operating status.
For more information, please refer to the Petition Updates
section and the
Evidence Guidelines on the Schools page at ICE.gov/SEVIS/Schools.
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3. If the mode of instructional delivery for a program of study has permanently
changed, is that considered a material change that needs to be reported to SEVP?
A. Yes, if the mode of instructional delivery for a program has permanently changed
since it was approved on the school’s Form I-17, it is a material change that must
be reported to SEVP. The end of the COVID-19 flexibilities means that all programs
of study must comply with the existing regulations, including those related to
hybrid courses and regulatory limits regarding online study.
4. Can F and M nonimmigrant students enroll in a fully online program of study or a
hybrid program of study with online components beyond the limitations of 8 CFR
214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v)?
A. DSOs may not issue Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student
Status,” to F and M nonimmigrant students seeking to enroll in a program of study
in the United States that includes online components beyond the limitations at 8
CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v). SEVP regulations at 8 CFR
214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v) limit online instruction to no more than
one class or three credits per term for F students and prohibit online instruction
for M students.
5. Can F and M nonimmigrant students remain in the United States if they are engaged
in a fully online program of study?
A. No. F and M nonimmigrant students may not remain in the United States and
engage in a program of study that is solely online. Students must comply with the
limitations set forth in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v).
6. Can F and M nonimmigrant students remain enrolled at an SEVP-certified school if
the school switches from traditional in-person or hybrid instruction to fully online
instruction?
A. No, F and M nonimmigrant students pursuing studies in the United States for the
2023-24 academic year and beyond may not remain enrolled at an SEVP-certified
school that switches to fully online instruction. Students must comply with the
limitations on online study in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v). If
their school switches to fully online instruction, the school is ineligible for
continued SEVP certification and students must transfer to another SEVP-certified
school or depart the United States.
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School Policies
1. Our school is considering changing its grading policy to pass/fail. Does this change
impact our school's F or M students?
A. No, this change should have no impact. Schools may change their grading policies.
This change does not need to be reported to SEVP. However, schools should
document any changes to their grading policies and be able to provide them to
SEVP upon request, and schools should be able to verify that a student is making
normal academic progress.
2. What are the requirements for DSO duties after the termination of COVID-19
flexibilities?
A. DSOs are expected to meet the regulatory requirements to continue to “provide
recommendations to F and/or M students enrolled at the school regarding
maintenance of nonimmigrant status and to support timely and complete
recordkeeping and reporting to DHS” (8 CFR 214.3(l)(1)(iii)). DSOs should have
regular working hours during which students can consult with them and may
provide DSO services to students via email or teleconference.
Electronic Signatures and Forms
Form I-17
1. Can schools continue to submit electronic signatures for school petitions t hat
require a signed Form I-17, including DSO updates?
A. Yes. On Dec. 12, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published
the interim final rule, Removal of Obsolete Procedures and Requirements Related
to F, J, and M Nonimmigrants (87 FR 75891), which removed the original
signatures requirement for the Form I-17.
Schools may submit a digitally signed Form I-17 that contains a digitally
reproduced copy of a wet signature or uses electronic signature software to
generate a signature. DSOs may also continue to scan a Form I-17 that contains an
original wet signature and submit the form electronically.
Form I-20
1. Can DSOs continue to electronically send signed Forms I-20 to students instead of
mailing the forms?
A. Yes. For more information, please refer to SEVP’s
Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic
Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20, published on Oct. 12, 2021, which
outlines the procedures for the use of electronic signatures and transmission of the
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Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
Additionally, on Dec. 12, 2022, DHS published the interim final rule, “Removal of
Obsolete Procedures and Requirements Related to F, J, and M Nonimmigrants” (87
FR 75891), which clarified SEVP's regulations to allow the use of electronic means
to sign and transmit the Form I-20.
2. What methods can DSOs use to sign and send Forms I-20?
A. For information about acceptable methods for signing and transmitting the Form I-
20, please see SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission
for the Form I-20.
Only approved PDSOs and DSOs may physically sign the Form I-20 or input their
own digital signature to the form. Individuals who are not approved on the school’s
Form I-17 may not input a DSO’s signature—either digital or wet—to the Form I-
20. Improper issuance of the Form I-20 in this manner may constitute grounds for
withdrawal of the school’s SEVP certification. By signing the Form I-20 or inputting
their digital signature, PDSOs and DSOs attest that they are the approved individual
issuing the Form I-20.
3. Will schools need to provide students with their original Form I-20 (wet signature
copies) now that the COVID-19 emergency has ended?
A. No. The adjustment made during the COVID-19 emergency allowing for electronic
signatures and electronic transmission of forms has been ratified through
regulation and is now a permanent and authorized process.
SEVP Policy Guidance:
Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20 permits the use of
electronic signatures and transmission beyond the COVID-19 emergency. Please
refer to the policy guidance for additional information.
4. How long is an electronic or digital travel signature valid on the Form I-20? Is it
valid for the same amount of time as a wet signature?
A. An electronic or digital travel signature is valid for the same duration as a wet
signature (12 months for F students and six months for M students).
5. Has SEVP worked with both the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) in developing the policy to accept the use of electronic
signatures after termination of the COVID-19 emergency?
A. Yes, SEVP has collaborated with both its internal DHS partners and external
partners to assure acceptance of electronically signed and transmitted documents.
Prior to publication of
SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and
Transmission for the Form I-20, SEVP coordinated with its government partners
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within DHS, the Department of State and U.S. Social Security Administration to
ensure continued acceptance of electronically signed Forms I-20. If a student or
school official encounters an issue with a government partner accepting an
electronically signed Form I-20 or has questions about the policy guidance, please
contact the SEVP Response Center (SRC). SRC contact information is available at
the end of this FAQ document.
Nonimmigrant Students
Maintaining Student Records
1. Do DSOs have to cancel the Forms I-20 of students who are taking classes outside
of the United States?
A. Yes, an Active F or M student’s SEVIS record must be terminated if they are still
engaged in their program of study outside of the United States and do not plan to
re-enter the United States. Students may no longer take classes online while
outside of the United States and remain in Active status as an F-1 or M-1
nonimmigrant. Students who wish to continue their studies in F-1 or M-1 status
must re-enter the United States.
If an Active F or M student is still engaged in their program of study outside of the
United States and does not plan to re-enter the United States, their SEVIS record must
be terminated for authorized early withdrawal.
2. Should DSOs mark the “Study Abroad” field in SEVIS for students who are outside of
the United States in Active status, engaging in online studies from their home
country?
A. No, DSOs should not mark the “Study Abroad” field in SEVIS. Students may no
longer remain in Active F-1 nonimmigrant status and engage in online studies from
their home country. Students must re-enter the United States for the 2023-24
academic year to remain in F-1 status.
Schools should not mark “Study Abroad” in SEVIS for students who are in their
home countries unless they are attending an overseas institution as part of a
formal study abroad arrangement.
3. If students cannot or will not return to school when in-person instruction resumes,
should their SEVIS records be terminated for authorized early withdrawal?
A. Yes, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, DSOs should terminate the SEVIS
records of students who cannot or will not return to the United States to study.
Refer to the Terminate Student article in the SEVIS Help Hub on Study in the States
for additional information.
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I-901 SEVIS Fee
1. Can students transfer their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment to the next available session if
they are unable to enroll in the next term?
A. For those students who maintain the same SEVIS record, there is no need to
transfer their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment. Students who are unable to enroll in the
next session may defer their enrollment to the next available session.
Fee transfers are available for F and M students who have already paid the I-901
SEVIS Fee and who:
• Reapply for a visa within 12 months of the date of their initial I-901 SEVIS Fee
payment or
• Are from a visa exempt country and reapply for status as a student at the port of
entry within 12 months of the date of their initial I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.
Refer to the I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions on ICE.gov/SEVP
for
additional information about fee transfers.
Full Course of Study Requirements and Online Learning
1. May DSOs authorize F or M students for a medical reduced course load due to
residual impacts from COVID-19?
A. Yes. A medical reduced course load may be appropriate for students who
experience a residual illness due to COVID-19 or another condition and cannot
maintain a full course load. Students may also choose to take a temporary absence.
See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(B) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(vi) for information on what
medical documentation is required and for additional eligibility information.”
Employment and Practical Training
1. Many students are engaging in remote work as part of their on-campus
employment opportunities. May F students continue to engage in remote work for
on-campus employment?
A. Yes, if the on-campus employment opportunity has transitioned to remote work or
the employment can be done through remote means, students may continue to
engage in on-campus employment remotely. Schools should be able to explain how
the students are providing services associated with the employment while not at
the location of the employer.
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2. Can students engaged in optional practical training (OPT) and the science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT extension work remotely
when appropriate and permitted by the employer? If so, do they need to submit an
updated Form I-983?
A. Students participating in OPT and STEM OPT may work remotely as long as they
continue to comply with the regulatory requirements regarding practical training
at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii) and continue the training’s mentoring relationship,
including completion of the Form I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students,”
for STEM OPT participants. DSOs should update the employer address in SEVIS and
students and employers should update the site address on the Form I-983 to reflect
the remote location.
3. Can students apply for OPT while outside of the United States by filing a Form I-
765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” from abroad?
A. No. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructions
for filing a Form
I-765 require applicants “to be in the United States” and have a valid U.S. mailing
address for USCIS to send the Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document”
(EAD). Providing a foreign address will result in denial of the application as USCIS
will not mail a secure document such as an EAD to an address outside of the United
States.
Student Transfer
1. Will the five-month rule apply to student transfers beginning with the 2023-24
academic year?
A. Yes, the five-month rule will apply to student transfers beginning with the 2023-24
academic year. Students who are transferring must begin classes at the transfer-in
school or program within five months of transferring out of their current school or
within five months of the program completion date on their current Form I-20,
whichever is earlier. Additionally, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year,
students who have been outside of the United States for more than five months will
require a new Form I-20 to enter the United States.
Travel
1. Is there a time frame for when students are expected to return to the United States
now that the COVID-19 emergency is over?
A. Yes, students should return to the United States within 30 days of the next
available session start date to begin the 2023-24 academic year.
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M Students
1. Are M students eligible for a 15-day grace period after their SEVIS record is
terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal?
A. No, M students must depart the United States immediately after their SEVIS record
is terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal.
Additional Resources
1. Where can I find guidance that SEVP previously distributed in response to COVID-
19?
A. All previously published COVID-19 guidance for SEVP stakeholders has been
archived at ICE.gov/Coronavirus.
2. Where can I find guidance for J exchange visitors that the Department of State
previously distributed in response to COVID-19?
A. All guidance for J exchange visitors is available on the Department of State’s
website at j1visa.state.gov/COVID-19
.
SEVP Response Center Contact Information
For general SEVP questions, case-specific questions and SEVIS technical help, contact the SRC.
SRC offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, except for federal holidays.
• Telephone:
o 703-603-3400 or 1-800-892-4829 for general and case-specific questions.
• Email:
o SEVP@ice.dhs.gov for general questions.
o SEVISHelpDesk@ice.dhs.gov for SEVIS technical questions.
