July 14 update: The Trump administration
has rescinded its proposed rules that would have barred
international students from studying in the U.S. if their
university had moved to a full course load online. The government
will return to the status quo from earlier this spring, meaning
international students who are in the U.S. and planning to begin
the fall semester may do so, even if their courses are all
online.
On July 6, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to amend their
temporary exemptions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic for
nonimmigrant students taking online classes.
What Happened?
The Department of Homeland Security is preparing to announce a
final rule in which F and M students may not remain in the U.S. if
they are taking their full course load online. Additionally,
operational U.S. Consulates abroad will not issue visas to students
enrolled in schools and/or programs
