International Student and Scholar Services

Contributing to Comprehensive Internationalization

Crisis Management

Office Administration

Orientation, Retention, and Student Services Programming

Student and Scholar Advising

Resources for Online Telework and Learning

March 20, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, many institutions have closed or transitioned to working remotely and online teaching with little advanced notice. Entire offices have instructed employees to telework and stay home for an indefinite period of time while faculty pivot to

Department of State COVID-19 Global Health Advisory

August 6, 2020

UPDATE. On August 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of State removed the Level 4 (do not travel) global health advisory that had been in place since March 19, 2020, and returned to country-specific advisories. Read more on the DOS travel advisories web page. Also see the DOS COVID-19 Traveler Information

SEVP Broadcast Message 2001-05: 2019 Novel Coronavirus and F and M nonimmigrants

March 14, 2020

On January 29, 2020, SEVP issued Broadcast Message 2001-05, its first in a series of Coronavirus guidance messages. It is reproduced below, and available on the ice.gov website. Make sure to read this first Broadcast Message in the context of the subsequent SEVP guidance that amends, clarifies and

SEVP March 13, 2020 COVID-19 Follow-Up Guidance

March 14, 2020

On March 12, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provided NAFSA with the following statement: “SEVP is committed to remaining flexible in allowing schools to make temporary procedural adaptations so nonimmigrant students can continue to make normal forward progress in their program

SEVP Broadcast Message 2003-01: COVID-19 and Potential Procedural Adaptations for F and M Students

August 7, 2020

On March 9, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) sent Broadcast Message 2003-01, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Potential Procedural Adaptations for F and M nonimmigrant students, providing guidance on potential procedural adaptations for F and M nonimmigrant students

COVID-19 Guidance from DOS ECA for J-1 Exchange Program Sponsors

July 10, 2023

ECA Guidance Directive 2023-01 (June 8, 2023) ends ECA's temporary COVID-19 flexibilities for J-1 exchange visitors and programs effective July 1, 2023, but introduces new interpretations on hybrid or virtual work and learning. Guidance Directive 2023-01 will supersede the ECA's prior COVID-19

Questions for Guiding a Holistic Response

In responding to broadening concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19), institutions must be cognizant of holistic issues affecting international education, considering not only programmatic and immigration questions, but accreditation, contractual obligations, technical and human resources, and

Advisory on Online and Distance Education Strategies in the Context of COVID-19

"The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in most schools using on-line or distance education modalities as part of their strategy to mitigate interruptions to coursework. This has both academic implications, which apply to domestic and international students alike, and immigration questions, because of the

Vetting Partners for Success in International Education

As institutions and organizations expand globally, identifying contracts, vendors, agents, and other critical partners have become a vital part of a successful international education strategy. Selecting and managing these partnerships is a critical skill for any international educator. In this live

Visa Options and Strategies for Academic Clinical Programs

One of the more complicated challenges that international offices face is providing visa options for short-term trainees, students, and visitors with patient or animal care responsibilities. This text-based Q&A session provided perspectives from a variety of institutions on managing visitors with