On April 18, 2022, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that its March 2020 guidance for F and M students will remain in effect for the 2022-2023 academic year. In particular, the guidance allows SEVP certified schools and students to engage in more distance learning than permitted under current regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students taking online classes will be considered to be engaged in a full course or study and maintaining their nonimmigrant visa status. The guidance covers students who were actively enrolled in a U.S. school as of March 9, 2020 and are otherwise compliant with the terms of their nonimmigrant status. Pursuant to SEVP’s Frequently Asked Questions, also updated on April 18, 2022, schools are not be able to issue Forms I-20 (Certificates of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) for new students enrolling in programs that remain fully online.
SEVP Extends Flexibility for Students in the 2022-23 Academic Year