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This page will offer timely immigration updates impacting the international student and scholar community at Illinois Tech. Please regularly check this page for new announcements.

Government & University Updates

Effective May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which governs F1 and J1 Student/Scholar Visas, ended its Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, following the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023. 


In the below FAQs you will find more background and details about this guideline change, which will impact courses beginning this fall 2023 semester.

 

What was the previous guidance provided by SEVP?

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, all F-1 and J-1 international students were allowed to take only one online course that counted toward their full-time eligibility each semester. All other courses that counted toward full-time eligibility were required to be in-person courses.  

However, given the intricacies of the pandemic, SEVP relaxed this requirement and permitted international students to take more than one online course each semester to count toward their full course load eligibility.

 

So what does the ending of this guidance mean for Illinois Tech students and courses? 

Beginning this fall 2023 semester (which starts on August 21, 2023), the guidance will revert back to what it was pre-COVID. The guidance will once again require all F-1 and J-1 international students at Illinois Tech to be enrolled in “in-person” classes, with just one online class counting toward full-time eligibility each semester. 

 

What do I need to do now?

We encourage all F-1 and J-1 international students to work with their academic departments to ensure that registration for the fall 2023 semester (and subsequent semesters) aligns with the guidance above. 

 

Is this guidance for new, continuing, or transfer international students?

This guidance is applicable to all F-1 and J-1 international students whether they are new, continuing, or transferring to Illinois Tech from another institution. 

 

Can I take more than one online course this upcoming semester?

  • F-1 Students: Yes, it is possible for F-1 students to take more than one online course a semester,  IF the F-1 student is properly registered for the minimum number of full-time credits, then the F-1 student may take additional online courses in excess of the minimum full-time credit requirements. 
  • J-1 Students: No, J-1 students are restricted to engage in a maximum of only one online course per semester.

 

Do you have an example of how an F-1 Student can take more than one online class in the upcoming semester?

Here are two situations as an example:

  • "Graduate F-1 student (minimum to be Full-Time is 9 credits) -> Only registers for 9 credits, then the student can only register for 1 online course;"
  • Graduate F-1 student (minimum to be Full-Time is 9 credits) -> Decides to register for 12 credits, then yes, it is possible in this situation for the student to have 2 online courses (as 1 would count towards the minimum Full-Time enrollment and 1 would be in excess of the Full-Time enrollment)"

Can an international student at Illinois Tech remain in the United States if they are engaged in a fully online program of study?

No. F-1 and J-1 international students may not remain in the U.S. and engage in a program of study that is solely online. Students must comply with the limitations set forth in the regulations. 

 

If students cannot or will not return to campus when in-person instruction resumes, will their SEVIS records be terminated?

F-1 and J-1 international students who are not able to return to campus for in-person courses beginning in the fall 2023 semester will have their SEVIS records terminated as a result of this guideline change provided by SEVP. 

 

What if I have only one course left to take in my program? Can this be an online course?

According to the new guidance provided by SEVP, if a student has one course left in their program, they would have to take this course in person; this final course cannot be taken online. 

 

Are students permitted to take “hybrid classes”? 

Our university system of registration classifies courses as either online or in-person.

 

Employment and Practical Training

Many students are engaging in remote work as part of their on-campus employment opportunities. May F-1 international students continue to engage in remote work for on-campus employment?

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. 

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?

Students participating in OPT and STEM OPT may work remotely as long as they continue to comply with the regulatory requirements regarding practical training and as long as they continue the training’s mentoring relationship including completion of the Form I-983, which is the formal training plan for STEM OPT participants.

Can students apply for OPT while outside of the U.S. by filing a Form I-765 from abroad?

No. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructions for filing a Form I-765 require applicants to be within the U.S. and to have a valid U.S. mailing address for USCIS to send the Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD). 

 

Resources:

SEVP May 11, 2023 FAQs

SEVP Broadcast Message 2304-04: Termination of SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities

SEVP Broadcast Message 2304-04: Termination of SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the expansion of premium processing for applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. Online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, will also be available for these applicants.

  • Beginning June 13 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, filed via paper form or online, for applicants seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 status, who have a pending Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
  • Beginning June 26 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, filed either via paper form or online, for applicants seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 status, when filed together with Form I-539.

Applicants must submit their biometrics before premium processing can begin for these specific categories. Even if USCIS accepts an applicant’s Form I-907 and accompanying fees, the time limit for premium processing will not start running until the applicant and all co-applicants included on the Form I-539 submit their biometrics. Please note, USCIS may reject an applicant’s Form I-907 and/or Form I-539 if submitted with another benefit request, including multiple Forms I-907 requests filed together.

As an applicant, you are not required to choose premium processing, nor is the Office of Global Services or Illinois Institute of Technology stating you must use Premium Processing for your OPT or STEM OPT applications.

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the publication of an Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023, that permits designated sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) to digitally sign and electronically transmit the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant) (Form DS-2019), effective April 27, 2023.

Until now, sponsors had to mail paper copies of Form DS-2019 to prospective exchange visitors. With this updated change, sponsors may continue to mail paper copies of Form DS-2019 to prospective exchange visitors OR take advantage of two new options: 

  • Sponsors may print and physically sign paper forms in ink, scan and save them (e.g., as portable document format (PDF) files), and electronically transmit them (e.g., via email). The new rule eliminates the requirement that sponsors sign the Form DS-2019 in blue ink.
  • Sponsors may use digital signature software to sign Forms DS-2019 and then electronically transmit them.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) can now file Form I-907 “Request for Premium Processing Service”  (via paper or online) if filing under the pre-completion, post-completion and the STEM extension categories. For the full news release, please visit the USCIS website.

  • Beginning March 6 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests for F-1 students who already have a pending Form I-765 under one of the following categories:
    • (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT; 
    • (c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and 
    • (c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for STEM students.
  • Beginning April 3 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests for F-1 students in the above categories when filed together with Form I-765.

Premium processing reduces the processing time down to 30 business days in which the applicant will receive a decision from USCIS. The filing fee for Form I-907 is $1,500 if you are filing for a Form I-765 with eligibility category (C)(3)(A), (C)(3)(B), or (C)(3)(C). Please note, the $1500 premium processing fee is in addition to the Form I-765 application fee.

As an applicant, you are not required to choose premium processing, nor is the Office of Global Services or Illinois Institute of Technology stating you must use Premium Processing for your OPT or STEM OPT applications.

From submitting requests, to reviewing your profile content, this portal offers students a one stop location to review information and engage with the Office of Global Services (OGS).

Effective September 3, 2022, OGS will not be accepting paper form requests from F-1 & J-1 students anymore. Moving forward, students will be required to use the ISSS Portal to submit all I-20 and DS-2019 requests.

Effective April 17, 2023, OGS will not be accepting paper form requests from J-1 Scholars anymore. Moving forward, scholars will be required to use the ISSS Portal as the one stop location to submit all DS-2019 requests to OGS, for all J-1 scholar requests.

ISSS Portal 

Learn how to navigate and use the ISSS Portal by watching our recordings: 

Special Student Relief (SSR)

Regulations allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend or alter rules regarding duration of status, full course of study, and employment eligibility, for specific groups of F-1 students from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances. This collection of benefits is known as "special student relief" (SSR).

Federal Register published at 87 FR 30971 (May 20, 2022). Effective May 20, 2022 through November 20, 2023.

Extended through May 20, 2025 under Federal Register notice to be published on (September 25, 2023). 

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Afghanistan, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan);
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on May 20, 2022;
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current situation in Afghanistan"

Effective May 25, 2021 until November 25, 2022, under Federal Register notice at 86 FR 28128 (May 25, 2021).

Effective November 26, 2022, extended from November 26, 2022 until May 25, 2024, under Federal Register notice at 87 FR 58509 (September 27, 2022).

Effective March 26, 2024 extended from May 25, 2024 until November 25, 2025, under Federal Register notice at 89 FR 20675 (May 26, 2024).

To be eligible under the notices, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Burma/Myanmar (or, under the September 27, 2022 extension notice, a citizen of Burma/Myanmar or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma/Myanmar), regardless of country of birth;
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on May 25, 2021 (or under the September 27, 2022 notice effective November 26, 2022, on September 27, 2022);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Burma"

Effective June 7, 2022 until December 7, 2023 under Federal Register notice at 87 FR 34701 (June 7, 2022). 

Extended to June 7, 2025 under Federal Register notice at 88 FR 69939 (October 10, 2023). 

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Cameroon, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Cameroon)
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on June 7, 2022 (or on October 10, 2023 under the October 10, 2023 notice);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the crises in Cameroon"

Effective from December 12, 2022 through June 12, 2024. Federal Register notice at 87 FR 76068 (December 12, 2022).

Effective June 13, 2024, extended from June 12, 2024 until December 12, 2025, under Federal Register notice at 89 FR 26161 (June 13, 2024).

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Ethiopia, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia)
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on December 12, 2022;
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the crisis in Ethiopia"

Note: SEVP published a correction in the Federal Register at 88 FR 6769 (February 1, 2023), to supply the date "June 12" that was missing in several places in the original notice.

Effective August 3, 2021 through February 3, 2023, under Federal Register notice at 86 FR 41857 (August 3, 2021).

Effective February 4, 2023, through August 3, 2024, under Federal Register notice at 88 FR 5016 (January 26, 2023).

To be eligible under the notices, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Haiti (or, under the January 26, 2023 notice, a citizen of Haiti or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti), regardless of country of birth;
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on August 3, 2021 (or under the January 26, 2023 notice effective February 4, 2023, on January 26, 2023);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Haiti"

Effective November 26, 2021 through February 5, 2023 under Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 67485 (November 26, 2021).

Effective January 26, 2023 through February 5, 2025 under the Federal Register notice published on May 4, 2023. 

To be eligible under the notices, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a resident of Hong Kong, regardless of country of birth;
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on November 26, 2021, or as of January 26, 2023 under the May 4, 2023 notice;
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the emergent circumstances in Hong Kong"

Note: In a January 26, 2023 memorandum, President Biden directed DHS to "consider suspending regulatory requirements with respect to F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Hong Kong residents as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be appropriate," which may be related to an extension of SSR. The prior Hong Kong SSR notice expired on February 5, 2023. The new Federal Register notice was not published until May 4, 2023, but with effective dates covering January 26, 2023 until February 5, 2024. Note footnote 2 of the November 26, 2021 SSR notice, which stated: "Because the suspension of requirements under this notice applies throughout an academic term during which the suspension is in effect, DHS considers an F-1 nonimmigrant student who engages in a reduced course load or employment (or both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in a 'full course of study,' see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and eligible for employment authorization, through the end of any academic term for which such student is matriculated as of February 5, 2023, provided the student satisfies the minimum course load requirements in this notice."

Effective February 14, 2024 through August 13, 2025, under Federal Register notice at 89 FR 26156 (04/15/2024).

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

(1) Possesses any authentic document described in the Supplementary Information section of this Notice;

(2) Were lawfully present in the United States on February 14, 2024, in F-1 nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i);

(3) Are enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment for F-1 nonimmigrant students;

(4) Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status; and

(5) Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian Territories.

Effective September 18, 2021 through March 17, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 38739 (July 22, 2021).

Redesignated and extended to September 17, 2024 by Federal Register notice published at 88 FR 15427 (March 13, 2023).

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Somalia (or, under the March 13, 2023 notice, an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia), regardless of country of birth;
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on September 18, 2021 (or, under the March 13, 2023 notice, lawfully present in F-1 status on March 13, 2023);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Somalia"

Effective March 3, 2022 through November 3, 2023. Federal Register published at 87 FR 12182 (March 3, 2022). 

Effective November 4, 2023, through May 3, 2025 under Federal Register notice to be published (September 6, 2023).

To be eligible, an F-1 student must :

  • Be a citizen of South Sudan, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in South Sudan);
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on March 3, 2022, or on September 6, 2023 under the forthcoming September 6, 2023 notice
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan"

Effective April 19, 2022 through October 19, 2023 under Federal Register published at 87 FR 23195 (April 19, 2022).

Effective October 20, 2023 through April 19, 2025 under Federal Register notice to be published 88 FR 56857 (August 21, 2023). 

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of the Republic of Sudan, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan);
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 19, 2022 (or on August 21, 2023 under the August 21, 2023 notice);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Sudan"

Effective April 22, 2021 until September 30, 2022. Federal Register notice at 86 FR 21333 (April 22, 2021), for Syrian F-1 students who were in the United States as of April 22, 2021.

Effective October 1, 2022, extended from October 1, 2022 until April 1, 2024 by a Federal Register notice 87 FR 46975 (August 1, 2022), for Syrian F-1 students who were in the United States as of August 1, 2022.

Extended from April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 by a Federal Register notice at 89 FR 5557 (January 29, 2024).

To be eligible under the current notice, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Syria, regardless of country of birth;
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on August 1, 2022 (or on January 29, 2024 under the notice published on January 29, 2024);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the civil war in Syria" (2022 notice) or "as a direct result of the current armed conflict and current humanitarian crisis in Syria" (2024 notice)

Effective April 19, 2022 through October 19, 2023 by a Federal Register published at 87 FR 23189 (April 19, 2022).

Extended eligibility until April 19, 2025 by a Federal Register notice at 88 FR 56851 (August 18, 2023)

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Ukraine, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine);
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 19, 2022 (or on August 18, 2023 under the August 18, 2023 notice);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine"

Effective April 22, 2021 until September 9, 2022, by a Federal Register notice at 86 FR 21328 (April 22, 2021) established SSR benefits for eligible students until September 9, 2022. 

Extended eligibility until March 10, 2024, by a Federal Register notice at 87 FR 55017 (September 8, 2022) 

Effective March 11, 2024, extended from March 10, 2024 until September 10, 2025, under Federal Register notice at 89 FR 17500 (March 11, 2024).

To be eligible, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Venezuela, regardless of country of birth;
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021;
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela

Effective September 4, 2021 until March 3, 2023, under Federal Register notice at 86 FR 36288 (July 9, 2021).

Extended and redesignated effective March 4, 2023 until September 3, 2024, under Federal Register notice at 88 FR 88 (January 3, 2023).

To be eligible under the current notice, an F-1 student must:

  • Be a citizen of Yemen (or, under the January 3, 2023 extension notice, a citizen of Yemen or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen), regardless of country of birth;
  • Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on September 4, 2021 (or under the January 3, 2023 notice effective March 4, 2023, on January 3, 2023);
  • Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
  • Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
  • Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the crisis in Yemen"

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