International Students: Immigration Update for Spring Semester 2021

International Students: Immigration Update for Spring Semester 2021.

In order to enter the U.S. to begin a new program of study, students must engage in classes that are a combination of in-person and hybrid. New students are not allowed to pursue a program of study that is 100% online. Academic advisors will work with you to ensure that you have coursework that meets the requirements.
SEVIS records and I-20’s have been deferred to the spring 2021 semester with a new program start date in January and will be emailed to you. If you have already received an updated I-20 with a spring start date, your update is complete so you will not be receiving another I-20.
Support letters will be emailed to you to confirm Drew’s plan to offer courses in both in-person and virtual formats to use at visa interviews and if required, at U.S. Customs during the inspection process upon arrival.
Transfer students: The ISSS Office will be requesting a datafix from SEVP (Student & Exchange Visitor Program) to the start date on your Form I-20. We are allowed to make that request 60 days prior to your program start date (mid-November). I-20s will be emailed to you when the datafix is approved.

Matriculated (degree-seeking) students with an Active SEVIS record who are registered full-time for the fall semester are eligible to take classes in the U.S. for the spring semester in a variety of formats: in-person, hybrid or 100% online. You MUST work with your academic advisor to plan your spring schedule – some courses may have in-person components.
Matriculated (degree-seeking) students with an Active SEVIS record who are outside the U.S. can continue to take classes online and remain in Active SEVIS status for the spring semester.

Travel to the U.S.

Please review your immigration documents to confirm that they have not expired: F-1 Visa, I-20, Passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date).
You must have a valid travel signature on Page 2 of your I-20. We are recommending that students request a new signature since most departed the country early in the spring semester.
Please complete the Travel Signature Request form
Signed I-20s will be emailed to you. Please print and sign page 1.

Pathway students in the U.S. are required to take classes for the spring semester in a hybrid format – a combination of in-person and hybrid courses.
You MUST work with your academic advisor to plan your spring schedule – some of your courses will have in-person components.
Pathway students with an Active SEVIS record who are outside the U.S. can continue to take classes online and remain in Active SEVIS status for the spring semester.

Travel to the U.S.

Please review your immigration documents to confirm that they have not expired: F-1 Visa, I-20, Passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date).
You must have a valid travel signature on Page 2 of your I-20. We are recommending that students request a new signature since most departed the country early in the spring semester.
Please complete the Travel Signature Request form
Signed I-20s will be emailed to you. Please print and sign page 1.

To return to Drew you will need to submit an online Re-entry form prior to the spring registration period which begins on November 9th to help ensure your access to spring classes.
If your F-1 visa is valid but you have been outside the United States for 5 months or more, you will need a NEW I-20 (Initial I-20) and will need to enter as an initial student to begin F-1 status anew.
You will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again.
As an initial status student, in order to enter the U.S. to return to your program of study, you must engage in classes that are a combination of in-person and hybrid. Initial status students are not allowed to pursue a program of study that is 100% online.
Support letters will be emailed to you to confirm Drew’s plan to offer courses in both in-person and virtual formats to use at visa interviews and if required, at U.S. Customs during the inspection process upon arrival.