FAQ for International Students

On March 13, the U.S. government announced that as long as you maintain full-time enrollment online during the COVID-19 emergency, there will be no negative impact on your immigration status, even if you depart the United States and complete your classes via distance education from elsewhere. This temporary provision is in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.

If you are maintaining full-time status until the end of the Spring Semester, then you are entitled to your annual summer vacation. According to the immigration regulations, an F-1 or J-1 student is in status during the annual (or summer) vacation if the student is eligible and intends to register for the next term. If you maintain your immigration status, the 5-month rule does not come into effect. Remember that when classes resume in person, you must return to campus to maintain your immigration status.

Most SUNY campuses will be able to work with you to ensure there are accommodations for housing.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict if and when further restrictions will be put in place by the U.S. Administration for travelers returning from high risk countries. You need to check the travel and visa restrictions that may be in place at the time you are planning to travel as the situation is changing daily. If you are currently outside the U.S. or plan to travel outside the U.S., we recommend that you continue to monitor travel updates by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). As of March 18, 2020 routine U.S. visa issuance has been suspended worldwide and daily restrictions on travel are being implemented.

You may stay in the U.S. on an expired F-1 or J-1 visa as long as you maintain your immigration status by being in possession of a valid I-20 or DS-2019 and by meeting normal enrollment requirements. (Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S.)

Students working on-campus may experience a disruption due to SUNY's transition to distance learning. We recommend speaking with your supervisor for clarification.

USCIS makes case-by-case decisions for off-campus employment for students who can show that new, unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created severe economic hardship. An F-1 student must have remained enrolled for at least one academic year, in status and in good academic standing before USCIS will authorize off-campus employment. The process to apply can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

Please reach out directly to your international student services office for guidance on Optional Practical Training.

If your in-network health provider deems it appropriate to test you, the COVID-19 testing kit will be covered by the UHC policy for students that have the SUNY international student insurance plan.

At this time no decisions have been made about the summer or fall semesters. When a decision has been made, that will be communicated to all students.

Please reach out to your international student services office so that they can check with residential life & housing regarding the availability of accommodations on campus.