Immigration Guidelines
At this time, there are many unanswered questions and you will want to continue to follow any changes that might occur. Please find the situation that applies to you to determine how you should proceed:
Instruction Methods:
C. Hybrid/Blended
The number of online courses you can take differs from your immigration situation.
Please find the right situation that fits on you and check the instruction method
of your courses.
To look-up the instruction method of your enrolled classes, please follow the instruction
in this link.
1. CONTINUING STUDENTS:
A. I am currently a continuing OSU student living in the US and registered with an active SEVIS record and I have or will enroll for the spring 2021 semester here at OSU
You are required to enroll full time and may enroll in classroom courses, online, hybrid/blended or a mix of these options as long as you are a full time student. Your SEVIS record will remain in Active status.
B. I am currently a continuing OSU student (out of country) with an active SEVIS record; I am going to remain at home and enroll for the spring 2021 semester in online classes.
You are required to enroll full time and you may enroll in all online courses. Your SEVIS record will remain in Active status providing you stay enrolled full time.
C. I am a continuing OSU student (out of country) enrolled full time in all online courses but will have been out of the US for more than 5 months, what is my immigration status?
According to the recent guidance, your SEVIS record will remain in active status as long as you are enrolled full time. However, when OSU returns to normal operations, you must return to campus in order to keep your SEVIS record active.
D. I am a continuing OSU student (out of country) who will not return nor enroll for the spring 2021 semester, what is my immigration status?
As a continuing student, if you choose not to enroll this spring 2021 semester then SEVP has asked that your SEVIS record be terminated as an “Authorized Early Withdrawal” for immigration purposes. You will not be able to return to OSU until Fall 2021. A new I20 will be issued for your entry or ideally your current SEVIS I20 record will be reactivated for a later return if within 5 months. Please contact ISS in a timely manner so the I20 can be issued. This is an area where clarification is needed from SEVP and could change.
2. NEW STUDENTS:
A. I am a new student with an “initial attendance” I20 planning to begin my studies at OSU for the spring 2021. Can I enter the US to begin my educational degree?
Initial students who have not arrived in the US should remain in their home country. However here are three possible options. We are waiting on clarification from ICE.
Option # 1: If you are outside of the US you may enroll in online classes and remain in your home country or outside of the US. Your I20 SEVIS record will not be activated and you will need an I20 for any future semester in order to enter the US. Please communicate with International Admissions or the Graduate College if this is your case.
Option #2: If you are entering the US as an initial attendance student, you must enroll full time in classroom courses under the regulations prior to COVID-19 guidance. You may not enroll in more than one online course that counts toward your full time enrollment.
Option #3: If you decide to remain at home and not enroll in the spring 2021 semester, please communicate with International Admissions or the Graduate College to receive a future semester I20 form.
3. TRANSFER STUDENTS:
A. I am a transfer student in the US, how will the 5-month rule apply to my immigration status?
The 5-month rules will not apply to students affected by COVID-19. If the 5-month rule is exceeded, you need to contact the DSO in the ISS office so a correction can be requested to SEVP.
B. I am a transfer student but out of the US and plan to enroll full time remotely and I have a Transfer Pending I20, what happens to my I20?
Since you are out of country and will not be entering the US for the spring 2021 semester a data fix will be required by a DSO so the I20 can be issued for a future semester when you are ready to come to the OSU campus.
4. SPONSORED STUDENTS:
A. As a Sponsored Student, do I need Embassy or Sponsor permission to enroll in hybrid/blended or online courses for spring 2021?
Yes, OSU’s Sponsored Student Program Office has not been notified that current valid financials will cover Hybrid/Blended and/or Online courses. You must follow the normal procedure and get sponsor permission which is a separate financial guarantee or the sponsor must communicate to OSU that they have changed their policy.
As mentioned previously, there are many unanswered questions in this guidance especially with new students. As updates occur, we will keep you informed.