While the decision about visa eligibility is made by the US Department of State (DoS), students planning to enroll at institutions offering hybrid and face-to-face classes in the fall term should be eligible to receive an F-1/J-1 visa. Please note that your ability to obtain a visa will depend on the availability of US consular services in your current country of residence.

If your program is 100% remote in the fall quarter: you will need to have your updated I-20/DS-2019 with a future term Program Start Date. Reach out to the US Embassy/Consulate where your interview is scheduled to determine if you can attend your appointment with an I-20/DS-2019 that is updated and emailed to you, or if they recommend rescheduling for a later date when you will have the physical original I-20/DS-2019 in hand. Due to delays in mailing services and large volume of requests, we cannot provide an estimate of when you will receive the original hard copy.

You do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa for the winter quarter. You will use the F-1 visa sticker that you have already received (assuming it is not expired and you do not have a limited entry window that ends before January), along with the new I-20 and other required travel documents, to enter the US for the winter quarter. Additionally, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again because it is the same SEVIS record that we originally created for you; we change the program dates on the SEVIS record for which you’ve already paid the fee.

You must enroll in a minimum of 9 credits total, including at least one course that is face-to-face (FTF) or hybrid (HYB)* or includes a required in-person component. Any additional credits may be SYN or ASY.

* You MUST be sure that the HYB course that you are registered for REQUIRES in-person class attendance. As a new student entering the US, registering for a course schedule with no required in-person attendance would be a violation of F-1 status.

We are able to process your completed I-20/DS-2019 application within 2-3 business days and email your I-20/DS-2019 to you as soon as it is generated by SEVIS. However, mailing processing times are delayed due to limited access to physical offices while we practice safe social distancing. Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with a welcome letter, next steps, and an electronic copy of your I-20/DS-2019 which you can use to make an interview appointment at your local consulate. You can check the status of your application in Drexel One.

If you believe that you can get a visa appointment at a US Embassy/Consulate but haven’t applied for your I-20/DS-2019, we urge you that you do so as soon as possible. The ISSS processing time for I-20/DS-2019 issuance is dependent on the receipt of complete and accurate application materials. Due to the large volume of applications and inquiries at this time, we are unable to offer expedited processing.

The US Department of State temporarily suspended all routine visa services at all US Embassies and Consulates, but some Embassies/Consulates are reopening if local conditions allow it. There is very limited visa appointment availability. Please continue to check with your local embassy/consulate for updates about its operating procedures.

If you were originally planning to arrive to Drexel in-person in the fall term, ISSS will need to defer your start date to the next quarter/semester when your program will resume in-person courses. Once this is done, we will reissue a new form I-20 or DS-2019 so that you may enter the US before the next term.

This process can take several months and, unless you are currently in an appropriate immigration status that would allow you to study full-time in the US, you will not be able to start your program at Drexel before your CoS is approved by the USCIS. F-1/J-1 rules/regulations apply to you only if your CoS application is approved before/on the first day of the fall term.

If your CoS application is not approved before/on the first day of fall term, your I-20/DS-2019 Program Start Date will be deferred to the following term (winter quarter or spring semester). You will remain in your current visa status (and adhere to the regulations governing your current status) for the duration of fall term, even if your CoS to F-1/J-1 is approved while the term is in session. Please consult your current visa’s sponsor or an immigration attorney for guidance regarding your fall term enrollment if your CoS application is not yet approved.

Graduate students can reach out to isss@drexel.edu to obtain a letter stating that you are enrolled in a face-to-face or hybrid course with required in-person attendance. You may also download/print a copy of your course schedule from DrexelOne.

Alongside the letter, it is advisable that you carry a printout of your course registration schedule (which can be downloaded from DrexelOne) showing that you will be enrolled in at least one course that is face-to-face (FTF) or hybrid (HYB)* or includes a required in-person component.

* You MUST be sure that the HYB course that you are registered for REQUIRES in-person class attendance. As a new student entering the US, registering for a course schedule with no required in-person attendance would be a violation of F-1 status.

Yes, you will be allowed to remain in the US if your graduate program switches from hybrid to entirely remote as long as you continue being enrolled for at least 9 credits.

If you are present in the US for a graduate program offering courses with a required in-person component, your visa status will not be affected by Drexel's plan to change to 100% remote instruction after Thanksgiving break.

No, an updated I-20 is not required.

It is crucial that you stay up to date on the list of countries whose citizens may face difficulties entering the US; these restrictions are constantly changing as the situation develops. Before you make any travel plans, it is your responsibility to confirm that neither your destination nor any transit countries have put in place restrictions that could affect your itinerary.

You are expected to arrive in the US by the program start date listed on your I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students). If you are not able to arrive by your I-20/DS-2019 start date, please contact your academic department and consider alternate enrollment options by consulting your designated Admissions counselor. While you may be able to receive permission from your academic department to arrive later, entry into the US after your I-20/DS-2019 start date is at the discretion of the immigration officer at the US port of entry and may be denied. It is generally not a good idea to arrive more than one week after classes start. If you still plan to arrive after classes start, make sure that you have a late arrival permission letter from your department and proof of fall enrollment.

If you cannot arrive on time for the fall term, remote study in the fall 2020 term may be an option for you. You may also consider deferring the start of your studies to a future term. Please contact your academic department and/or Graduate Admissions counselor to discuss these options.

Students traveling to the US on a new I-20 and F-1 visa should carry the following:

• Valid passport (passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of intended entry).
• Valid (unexpired) F-1 visa sticker (page) in your passport (except for Canadian and Bermudan citizens).
• Valid I-20 form. If you only received an I-20 from ISSS via email, include the digital I- 20 support letter that was provided to you. If you received one via mail (UPS, DHL, etc.), carry this original "wet-ink" copy.
• Evidence of funding; bring a copy of whatever funding is mentioned on your I-20.
• A copy of your acceptance letter; you can print this from Discover Drexel.

There have been reports of the CBP agents requesting that students produce additional documentation. In addition to the above, you may choose to travel with the following:

• Print your course schedule from DrexelOne; make sure it includes at least one course that is face-to-face (FTF) or hybrid (HYB)* or includes a required in-person component.
• Students traveling from Europe/UK/Ireland: a printout of this webpage.
• You may email isss@drexel.edu for a letter stating that you are enrolled in a graduate program with a required in-person component.

If you experience any trouble when attempting to enter the US, it is within your right to ask CBP to contact Drexel Public Safety at 215.895.2822 and connect to the ISSS emergency contact.

Graduate students can reach out to isss@drexel.edu to obtain a letter stating that you are enrolled in a face-to-face or hybrid course with required in-person attendance. You may also download/print a copy of your course schedule from DrexelOne.

Alongside the letter, it is advisable that you carry a printout of your course registration schedule (which can be downloaded from DrexelOne) showing that you will be enrolled in at least one course that is face-to-face (FTF) or hybrid (HYB)* or includes a required in-person component.

* You MUST be sure that the HYB course that you are registered for REQUIRES in-person class attendance. As a new student entering the US, registering for a course schedule with no required in-person attendance would be a violation of F-1 status.

Drexel is not enforcing a quarantine of students arriving to campus. View the Frequently Asked Questions on Drexel’s Response to Coronavirus for more information. However, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you self-isolate for 14 days following travel to areas that are experiencing high levels of COVID-19, including destinations with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. You can check the Travel Health Notices for recommendations for places you have traveled, including foreign countries and US territories. You can also check states to determine if these areas are experiencing high levels of COVID-19.

No. New F-1 students will ONLY be allowed to enter the US to start their programs if they can show at the ports of entry that their schools will be operating either entirely in-person or providing hybrid instruction with a required in-person component.

Yes, you can remain in the US You will be able to maintain your F-1 status as long as you enroll for at least 12 credits (undergraduate students) or 9 credits (graduate students) in the fall term. Those credits can be a combination of any of the five available methods of instructions.

If you are enrolled in 100% remote coursework, you may NOT enter the US. Some graduate students may be enrolled in some face-to-face coursework; you will only be eligible to enter the US and attend your program if you enroll in at least one course that is face-to-face (FTF) or hybrid (HYB)* or includes a required in-person component.

* You MUST be sure that the HYB course that you are registered for REQUIRES in-person class attendance. As a new student entering the US, registering for a course schedule with no required in-person attendance would be a violation of F-1 status.

If you are a graduate student and do not wish to return to the US and would prefer to start your program remotely, you may choose to opt-in for the fall 2020 remote option available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Please visit the FAQ for Graduate Students to learn more and how to sign up. It is important that you also notify ISSS at isss@drexel.edu as soon as you know that you will not be able to return to the US for the fall 2020 term.

The ISSS will work with SEVIS to defer your I-20 start date into the next available program start date. It is important that you notify ISSS at isss@drexel.edu as soon as you know that you will not be able to return to the US for the fall 2020 term. Please be aware that we may not be able to provide your updated I-20 with a January start date until later in the fall quarter. We will communicate a timeline/instructions as soon as we have more information.

If the time gap between your previous program and the start of your new program at Drexel will be greater than 5 months, ISSS will need to terminate your existing SEVIS record and create a new initial SEVIS record and I-20 for you. Please be aware that this will affect your eligibility for CPT for co-op (undergraduate students), it may affect your eligibility for OPT if you have fewer than 3 quarters/2 semesters remaining to graduate, and you will have to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee for the new SEVIS record. Depending on how long it has been since you submitted your I-20 application documents, ISSS may require updated documents in order to create a new SEVIS record for you.

If the gap between your previous program and the start of your new program (after deferral) will be fewer than 5 months, the ISSS will work with SEVIS to defer your I-20 start date into the next available program start date.

We continue to provide the necessary access, support, and opportunity to international students because we truly value the unique perspectives and contributions you bring to our community! Read Drexel University President John Fry’s message sent on July 10, Drexel Stands in Support With Our International Students. Drexel is one of 180 institutions of higher education that signed the Amicus Brief submitted in support of legislation challenging the ICE/SEVP guidance. Please rest assured that the ISSS has a dedicated team of international student advisors who will continue to support you throughout this time.

The University has made the decision that undergraduate courses will continue remotely for the fall quarter and University housing will remain closed to undergraduates during the fall term. Graduate students will continue in the currently planned hybrid modality for the fall term, with some limited activities and with strict health and safety protocols in place that adhere to city and state guidelines. Drexel’s Return Oversight Committee, with guidance from the Fall 2020 Covid-19 Task Force, developed plans to stage a gradual return to campus, but the shifting nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on other colleges and universities has necessitated a change of course for Drexel. The work of the Return Oversight Committee will continue as the University strives to provide the safest, most beneficial and inclusive path to welcome the entire Drexel community to campus. Click here to read more.

Over the past few months, President Trump has signed several Proclamations and Executive Orders limiting immigration. The ISSS will continue to closely monitor the development of this situation and will communicate when additional and appropriate information is available. Please review our Notice to Drexel Community: US Immigration Policy Changes for a summary of who is affected by policy changes and any future updates.

Please reach out to your Academic Advisor to discuss alternative options, like Remote Asynchronous (ASY) or Online (ONL) sections of courses, or other Remote Synchronous (SYN) sections of courses at more convenient times of day. You can schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor in Drexel One under My Success Team.

Students can submit an appeal for housing accommodations by clicking here (the deadline has passed, but late appeals are being reviewed on a rolling basis). As a reminder, all first-year students living in the Drexel Residence Halls will be required to have a dining plan. Further information regarding dining will be sent separately. Please note that you will be asked to sign off on a Housing Addendum in order to submit your appeal form.

Please reach out to the Office of Housing and Residence Life with any additional questions or concerns.

Please reach out to the Office of Health Insurance and Immunizations if you have questions about health insurance requirements while studying remotely or for on-campus study.

• A comprehensive list of Drexel's resources to address questions about COVID-19's impact on campus operations can be found at the University's COVID-19 response page.
• For academic concerns, please consult your academic advisor assigned to your My Success Team in DrexelOne.
• For computer or other technical problems, please consult Drexel University Information Technology.
• For any needs related to Drexel's order to leave campus housing, please consult Housing and Residence Life or email housing@drexel.edu.
• To determine your eligibility for the Student Emergency Fund (SEF), please refer to Drexel Central's Student Emergency Fund guidelines.
• For needs that can be addressed by Drexel's Counseling Center, please visit their website to learn more about their remote services and teletherapy.
• To report discrimination, harassment, and other bias incidents, please contact the Office of Equality and Diversity (OED).
• For more information about tuition and fees for spring and summer terms, please contact Drexel Central.
• If you're interested in staying engaged in one of Drexel's 300+ student organizations, check out DragonLink.