Termination of SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities

On Friday, May 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the temporary guidance accommodating F-1 and J-1 students during the national COVID-19 emergency has been terminated. The termination is effective immediately for all new incoming and returning students with initial SEVIS records. For currently enrolled students, the guidance remains in place through the end of summer 2023 term.

The end of the temporary guidance means the following for Drexel's international students on F-1 and J-1 visas:

1. Incoming students who plan to start their programs in summer 2023 term, and students returning from leave of absence with initial SEVIS records in summer 2023, will only be allowed to count three (3) credits of online courses towards the full-time enrollment minimum (twelve [12] credits for undergraduate students and nine [9] credits for graduate students). If enough of these options are not available, students should defer their attendance to fall 2023 term.
2. Continuing students are allowed to count additional online courses toward their full-time enrollment under the COVID-19 flexibilities through the 2023 summer term. However, they will not be permitted to count more than three (3) credits of online coursework toward the full-time enrollment minimum in the 2023/24 academic year. Because they are a mix of in-person and remote participation, and there is a requirement for regular in-person presence, hybrid classes count as in-person classes for immigration purposes.
3. ISSS will no longer be permitted to maintain active SEVIS records for students who are taking online studies from outside the United States starting fall 2023. In order to maintain active SEVIS records, students must be present in the U.S., live within commuting distance to campus, and enroll in either in-person or hybrid courses as outlined above.
4. International students are not eligible to enroll in programs that are fully or mainly online. Programs that have transitioned to primarily online instruction exceeding the SEVP regulatory limits will not be eligible to sponsor F-1 or J-1 visas.
5. In addition to the announcement, DHS has also published a list of FAQs about the impact of the termination of COVID-19 flexibilities. We strongly advise all students to carefully read through these questions as some of them may be relevant to your current situation and may impact your future plans. Should you have any questions, please contact ISSS team at isss@drexel.edu.

Visit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators for more detailed information.