International Students and Scholars Office

The Spring semester will begin on Feb 1, 2021. Brandeis faculty will employ a mix of remote and in-person learning, with enormous flexibility for students to decide what works for them. The most up-to-date information relating to Brandeis' COVID response and plans can be found on the COVID-19 Response: What's Now, What's Next page.

This letter from the Director of the ISSO is available on the ISSO website.  It describes the course format for the Fall 2021 semester. You may print the letter and bring it with you to your visa appointment or when entering the U.S., if necessary.

No, you do not need a new I-20 saying that Brandeis will have in-person classes.

This letter, from the Director of the ISSO, is available on the ISSO website.  It describes the course format for the Spring 2021 semester. You may print the letter and bring it with you to your visa appointment or when entering the U.S., if necessary.

We know that the pandemic introduced many difficulties and stress to all our international students, and that none of this has been easy.  We are so proud of the role Brandeis University, and so many other schools around the U.S., played in defeating the 7/6/2020 SEVP guidance that would have been so incredibly harmful to our international student community.  If another situation arises that requires a mobilization of supporters of international students, we are confident that Brandeis, and our colleagues at colleges and universities from across the United States, will act in the bests interests of our international students.

Although the Brandeis International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) remains closed to walk-in visits, the ISSO constantly monitors the needs of students remotely to make sure you continue to receive immigration support. 

• We are pleased to provide our services from a distance.  We can speak to you by phone, set up a Zoom meeting, or correspond by email.  Just let us know how we can help!  We will continue to address all needs for our students and scholars like I-20s for travel, OPT recommendations, CPT authorizations, extension requests, and more. As we get accustomed to this new way of supporting our international students and scholars, please know that the ISSO team is going to miss you very much, and will thrive on your continued engagement with us.  Please stay in touch:
  • Email:  ISSO@brandeis.edu. All ISSO staff members will be monitoring the ISSO email Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We assure you your questions will be answered in a timely manner. 
  • Phone:  (781) 736-3480. Please leave a voicemail if no one answers, and we will call you back as soon as we can!
  • Zoom:  We offer open Zoom hours Mondays 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.-11 a.m., and Friday 2 p.m.-4 p.m.  If those times are not convenient for you, you may request an appointment with your ISSO advisor. See our contact page to determine who is your advisor. 
• The ISSO will still process all applications per usual. You can still submit a CPT application, OPT application, STEM OPT Extension application, Program Extension application, SEVIS transfer request, and Adding Dependent Request by utiliziing your ISSO Portal. A link can be found in the sidebar on the left. Once we issue you a new document, we will mail it to you. 

We know that there has been much information that has come to you over the past few months. Please visit our News and Announcements page for a history of guidance that has been released for the Fall 2020 semester. 

As a result of a hearing in Boston District Court on July 14, 2020, guidance was released through the SEVP FAQs regarding the Fall semester which supersedes SEVP’s 7/6/2020 announcement.  Please note, SEVP has not published guidance for Spring 2021 yet.

We encourage you to stay connected to your ISSO advisor or connect with your Academic Services/ Program Advisor to talk through your specific course selections.

If you are a continuing Brandeis student who entered the U.S. to establish F-1 status, Brandeis will continue to report your registration in SEVIS for the Spring 2021 semester.  This semester would count toward the semesters required for CPT or OPT eligibility when you return to the U.S. in F-1 status.  Please note that for OPT, the I-765 instructions indicate that you must be inside the United States in order to file a request for off-campus work authorization. 

If you are a new student who has never entered the U.S. on a Brandeis I-20 and remain outside the U.S. for the Spring 2021 semester, the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters will not make you eligible for the practical training benefit afforded in F-1 regulations.

Departing the U.S. 
If you are traveling to China from the U.S., please visit the Chinese Embassy website for important information on returning to China from the United States.  

Entering the U.S.

Beginning on 01/26/2021, all air passengers traveling to the United States will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days of their flight or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Please read the CDC press release and the CDC Order for more information. 

President Joe Biden of the United States has issued a COVID-19-related proclamations to limit travel to the United States. Several proclamations issued by President Trump are still in effect. A summary of which proclamations are still in effect can be found on the Department of State website. These proclamations will remain in effect until terminated by the President. The U.S. has suspended entry to the U.S. for all foreign nationals (immigrants, nonimmigrants, and other non U.S. citizens) arriving in the U.S. who were physically present in the People's Republic of China (excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Brazil, or South Africa during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As global conditions evolve, U.S. Embassies and Consulates are beginning a phased resumption of routine visa services. Please regularly check the website of your local embassy or consulate and the Department of State website for updates on which embassies may be open for visa appointments. You may be able to complete form DS-160 and schedule a visa interview online.
Proclamations for Brazil, China, Iran, South Africa, Schengen Countries, Ireland and U.K.:

1. Brazil Travel Proclamation. Presidential Proclamation Released on January 25, 2021. This coronavirus travel ban became effective starting 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 26, 2021.
2. China Travel Proclamation. Proclamation 9984 of January 31, 2020. This coronavirus travel ban became effective starting 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
3. Iran Travel Proclamation. Proclamation 9992 of February 29, 2020. This coronavirus travel ban became effective starting 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on March 2, 2020. This proclamation does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on March 2, 2020.
4. European Schengen Area Proclamation. Presidential Proclamation Released on January 25, 2021.* This proclamation became effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 26, 2021.
   • Note: the European Schengen area includes: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
5. Ireland and United Kingdom Proclamation.* Presidential Proclamation Released on January 25, 2021. This proclamation became effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 26, 2021.
6. South Africa. Presidential Proclamation Released on January 25, 2021. This proclamation becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 30, 2021.
7. Canada & Mexico through land border crossing/ports of entry and ferries: Travel is limited to "essential travel."  While this does not limit travel for students who attend educational institutions, you should be aware that travel for friends and family may be restricted at this time.  We suggest you call ahead to the CBP office at the land border to be certain of the guidelines.   

*The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently updated their guidelines to allow students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 visas to enter the U.S. to study. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information and recent updates. These National Interest Exceptions are currently single entry and individuals must enter the US within 30 days of issuance. However, please be aware that the U.S. border is governed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a different entity than the DOS. As such, students coming from the Schengen Area should travel with caution, noting that it is ultimately up to the discretion of the CBP officer to allow or deny entry into the U.S., even for students with a valid F-1 visa.
Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel. Travelers who wish to visit the United States to offer vital support to critical infrastructure sectors, as well as academics, J-1 students, and journalists who have a valid visa in the appropriate class, an ESTA authorization, or who are seeking to apply for a visa, and believe they may qualify for a National Interest Exception should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling.  If a National Interest Exception is approved, they may travel on either a valid visa or ESTA authorization, as appropriate. Please see the above link for more information.

Brandeis University has made the very difficult decision to suspend all study abroad for the Spring 2021 semester.  For more information, please visit the Study Abroad FAQs. 

The June 22nd Presidential Proclamation relating to J-1 visas only affects certain categories (intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, summer work travel program, and J-2 dependents of individuals in these categories) and does not apply to J-1 students. You can find more details about this proclamation on the ISSO News and Announcements page.

The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As global conditions evolve, U.S. Embassies and Consulates are beginning a phased resumption of routine visa services. Please regularly check the website of your local embassy or consulate and the Department of State website for updates on which embassies may be open for visa appointments. You may be able to complete form DS-160 and schedule a visa interview online. A comprehensive spreadsheet with current visa wait times, updated each Sunday, can be found here. 

We expect that when visa services resume, there will be significant delays in scheduling a visa appointment and obtaining a U.S. visa. Regrettably, these visa suspensions may delay the planned arrival to the U.S. for some students. We encourage you to be in touch with your program to see if you would be interested in starting your Fall semester with online classes (if offered) or deferring to the next available term. The University has no influence on the ability to get you an appointment sooner. If you are affected by these restrictions, be sure to contact the ISSO directly to strategize a plan for entry at a later time. 

You must arrive on or before February 15, 2021 to begin your study in Spring 2021. Please be sure to report your arrival to the ISSO by submitting the ISSO Check-In after you enter the U.S. You can can access the check-in through your ISSO Portal, which can be found on the sidebar on the left.

NOTE: If you are in Initial status you will be required to enroll in at least one in-person or hybrid course. 

Option 1.  Assess your eligiblity to defer your enrollment to Fall 2021. 
If you will be an undergraduate, please contact Brandeis Undergraduate Admissions.  If you will be a Brandeis graduate student, please contact The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Heller School, or the International Business School.  

NOTE: If you defer your enrollment to Fall 2021, ISSO will issue a new I-20 that reflects that as the program start date.  Please wait until you hear from us about the new I-20. 

Option 2. Start Spring 2021 by taking classes remotely from your home country.  
It is possible for international students to start Spring 2021 remotely.   However, if you have an initial I-20 for the Spring 2021 semester, you would not be able to activate your F-1 status until you have physically entered the U.S. While remote study is allowed, SEVP’s temporary guidance does not permit students in Initial status in SEVIS to begin a new F-1 program remotely (This guidance is subject to change at any time).  For students who start Spring 2021 remotely from outside the U.S., you will delay your eligibility to qualify for practical training (CPT or OPT).  For more information, please visit our CPT and OPT pages. If you plan to enter the U.S. in Fall 2021, we will issue a new I-20 that reflects Fall 2021 as the program start date. 

NOTE: If you are a SEVIS transfer student and you have been issued a transfer I-20, please inform your contact in Admissions so that the ISSO can be notified and adjust your SEVIS record accordingly.

You should contact your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate for clarification on the visa application policy, as there is conflicting information between the Department of State and Customs and Border Protection regarding the need to apply for a new visa after being outside the U.S. for an extended period of time.

No incoming student should enter the U.S. after September 13, 2021 on an initial I-20, as we will be unable to register and activate your record in the SEVIS system. If you cannot enter by 9/13/2021, you should make plans to study remotely from outside the U.S. If this is the case, please notify admissions what your plans are (to start online in Fall 2021 or defer your admission to a future semester) so that the ISSO can provide you with an updated I-20 that reflects this information. Once you receive the updated I-20, you may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the date listed as the start date on the revised and updated I-20. For the Fall 2021 semester, the start date is currently scheduled to be August 26, 2021.

Students with Initial SEVIS records who enter the U.S. on or before February 15th are subject to F-1 regulations regarding online instruction. These regulations state that you cannot be enrolled in 100% online coursework. Your academic advisor and program advisors are aware of this restriction, and will guide you toward selecting courses that are hybrid in nature, or that will be conducted in person.

Yes, they do. 

Initial students may enroll in multiple hybrid classes, and they do not count toward the limit of one online course per semester counting toward full time enrollment.  If you enter the U.S. in initial status, you must not be enrolled in 100% remote coursework.

If you have an initial I-20 for the Spring 2021 semester, you would not be able to start your F-1 status until you have physically entered the U.S. SEVP’s temporary guidance does not permit students in Initial status in SEVIS to begin a new program remotely. 

If you are a SEVIS transfer student and you have been issued a transfer I-20, please inform your contact in Admissions so that the ISSO can be notified and adjust your SEVIS record accordingly.

Per the "Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19" released on August 7, 2020, the five-month rule related to student transfers will not apply to students affected by COVID-19. We are still awaiting the Spring 2021 guidance from SEVP if this is still applicable.

Yes, students that have a current Active SEVIS record with Brandeis will remain Active in the SEVIS system provided that the student is enrolled in a full-time course load and makes normal progress in their course of study.

Continuing students with active SEVIS records who have remained in the U.S., as well as students who have transferred their SEVIS records to Brandeis to begin a new program, are permitted to continue to study online.  This is because, in response to COVID-19, SEVP issued guidance that allows additional online classes to be counted toward fulfilling a full-time courseload.

Unfortunately, you would not be able to maintain your F-1 status if you do not participate in online courses and are unable to return to Brandeis for hybrid/in-person courses. You would need to request a Leave of Absence from your Academic Advisor (undergraduate or your Program Advisor (graduate). 

The ISSO would terminate your SEVIS record with the reason of Authorized Early Withdrawal.  To return to the U.S. as a student, you would need to apply for a new I-20 by  updated financial information, paying the  I-901 SEVIS fee, and potentially applying for a new visa. You would also need to be readmitted to the university by working with your Academic/Program Advisor.

On June 25th the U.S. State Department (DOS) distributed an email stating that J-1 visa sponsors could "find alternative ways to maintain program objectives, including online classes or other arrangements, while preventing unnecessary exposure to COVID-19. ” At present this appears to permit continuing students to study in-person or remotely, from inside the U.S. or while outside the U.S. If you are a returning J-1 student, your SEVIS record will remain active as long as you are enrolled full-time and make normal progress towards your degree.
 
On July 29th, DOS clarified that it will continue to accept online coursework for college and university J-1 nonimmigrant exchange visitors that remain in active SEVIS status for the Spring 2021 semester.

If you would like to take a leave of absence, you will need to reach out to your academic advisor (for undergraduates) or program advisor (for graduate students) to complete any necessary university processes for a leave of absence. Then, please contact your ISSO advisor to set up a meeting. The ISSO will terminate your SEVIS record for “Authorized Early Withdrawal.” When you are ready to return to campus, you will need to contact your ISSO advisor to submit financial documentation so we can create a new I-20 for you to return. 

When a student returns from leave, they will have an initial SEVIS record and an initial I-20 valid for the amount of time required to finish the degree. Students must be enrolled for at least 2 semesters after returning from a leave of absence in order to qualify for CPT or OPT.   

If your I-20 is expiring soon, then you may need to take extra steps with the ISSO before you depart the U.S. if you intend to return. If you plan to request an I-20 extension or apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training, you should do this before you leave so that your I-20 correctly reflects your future academic intentions upon your return. Please be aware of the risks that are involved with traveling while your OPT is pending after your I-20 ends (see OPT link above). 

If you are a J-1 student and are planning to apply for Academic Training, this is a relatively quick process as it is done directly with your academic department and the ISSO. We are happy to help you work out an appropriate timeline for your future plans. Please feel free to reach out to us with questions about Academic Training by emailing isso@brandeis.edu. 

Students must have at least two academic semesters as F-1 students to receive CPT or OPT recommendations. 

Students in Initial F-1 status
If you will be a new student and will begin your program from outside the United States in the Spring, you cannot use the online semester toward the requirement for practical training work authorization.  

Students continuing in F-1 status
For continuing students in Active SEVIS status, yes, you can count your online semester toward the CPT/ OPT requirement. You must be enrolled in Brandeis online work.

If you have Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Academic Training (AT) authorization for an off-campus internship this summer, you may participate in the internship, even if working remotely.

Please remember that CPT and AT permission is specific to a job, employer, location, work hours, as well as academic course registration. If there are any modifications to your work hours, employment conditions, or academic registration, these must be approved in advance by the academic department/faculty and the ISSO.

Students must maintain F-1 status and be present in the U.S. in order to apply for OPT. This is a requirement of the Form I-765.

A travel signature is a signature from an ISSO advisor in the “Travel Endorsements” section on page 2 of your I-20 or at the bottom right of your DS-2019. Students entering the U.S. in “initial” status do not require a travel signature to enter the U.S. Once you have completed SEVIS registration and are a current student, each time you travel outside of the U.S., you’ll need to have a valid travel signature on the date you reenter the U.S. Travel signatures are valid for up to 12 months for current F-1 and J-1 students, and up to 6 months for alumni on OPT/STEM OPT. Please see our Travel Information page for more details.

You may now ask the ISSO to send you a new I-20 or DS-2019 by requesting a reprint in your ISSO Portal. You can access it in the sidebar on the left of this page. We will then send you a digital version of your I-20 or DS-2019 or ship it to you via domestic mail free of cost. If you will be outside the US, you may request to have your document shipped internationally at your own expense by completing item #1 and item #2 on our shipping request page.

The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As global conditions evolve, U.S. Embassies and Consulates are beginning a phased resumption of routine visa services. Please regularly check the website of your local embassy or consulate and the Department of State website for updates on which embassies may be open for visa appointments. You may be able to complete form DS-160 and schedule a visa interview online.

We expect that when visa services resume, there will be significant delays in scheduling a visa appointment and obtaining a U.S. visa. Regrettably, these visa suspensions may delay the planned arrival to the U.S. for some students. We encourage you to be in touch with your program to see if you would be interested in starting your Fall semester with online classes (if offered) or deferring to the next available term. The University has no influence on the ability to get you an appointment sooner. If you are affected by these restrictions, be sure to contact the ISSO directly to strategize a plan for entry at a later time. 

Yes. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently updated their guidelines to allow students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 visas to enter the U.S. to study. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information and recent updates. Any National Interest Exceptions are currently single entry and individuals must enter the US within 30 days of issuance. However, please be aware that the U.S. border is governed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a different entity than the DOS. As such, students coming from the Schengen Area should travel with caution, noting that it is ultimately up to the discretion of the CBP officer to allow or deny entry into the U.S., even for students with a valid F-1 visa.

It may be possible to inquire with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to you so you can learn about any recent developments in your ability to enter the U.S..  Currently, aside from the Schengen Area, UK, and the Republic of Ireland (see above) we are not aware of exceptions being granted to F-1 students from other countries facing the COVID-19 related travel restrictions. The U.S. Department of State has announced a Phased Reopening of Consular Services, so we invite you to consult that, as well.

Federal regulations require F-1 students to update their address within 10 days of any change. Please follow the instructions below to notify the ISSO of an address update:

• Sign into the ISSO Portal using your Brandeis credentials. You can find a link in the sidebar to the left.

• Navigate to the Control Center tab.

• Complete a Contact Information Update to update your address.

We strongly encourage you to contact your country's closest embassy or consulate in the U.S. if you are unable to book a return flight home. A growing number of embassies are posting special communications on their websites and social media for their international students and exchange visitors (students and others) in order to make contact with them. 

If you are traveling to China from the U.S., please visit the Chinese Embassy website for important information. Please also read this announcement on testing requirements.

If you have Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Academic Training (AT) authorization for an off-campus internship this summer, you may participate in the internship, even if working remotely.

Please remember that CPT and AT permission is specific to a job, employer, location, work hours, as well as academic course registration. If there are any modifications to your work hours, employment conditions, or academic registration, these must be approved in advance by the academic department/faculty and the ISSO.

Brandeis University provides access to our own private Virtual Private Network (VPN) to gain access to campus resources. The best way to connect to the Brandeis VPN is to follow the guidelines on the Information Technology Services website. While we make the VPN service available to everyone, we cannot guarantee that it will not be blocked in your home country. Additionally, if you are able to connect to the VPN but still unable to access any resources, please contact the Technology Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or 781-736-HELP.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recognizes that the spread of COVID-19 may affect students engaging in Optional Practical Training (OPT). In accordance with SEVP guidance, we would encourage you to work with your employer to seek alternative ways to maintain employment, such as teleworking or other arrangements.

For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, SEVP considers students who are working in their OPT opportunities fewer than 20 hours a week as engaged in OPT.

If you are approaching the end of your 90 days of unemployment and are unable to book a flight home, you should keep a record of all communication with the airline that proves you made an effort to depart the U.S. before the end of your 90 days. You may also reach out to your ISSO advisor for information about other options, such as transferring your SEVIS record to a new academic program.

We strongly encourage you to reach out to your country's closest embassy or consulate in the U.S. if you are unable to book a return flight home. A growing number of embassies are posting special communications on their websites and social media for their international students and exchange visitors (students and others) in order to make contact with them. 

If you are approaching the end of your 60-day grace period and are unable to book a flight home, you should keep a record of all communication with the airline that proves you made an effort to depart the U.S. before the end of your 60 days. You may also reach out to your ISSO advisor for information about other options, such as transferring your SEVIS record to a new academic program. Please note that F-1 students are not eligible for a nonimmigrant status extension by filing Form I-539, and can only extend their status by enrolling in a new academic program.