Please read the updates regarding international students.
Angie
Angelica M. Barrera, M.S.
From: Rebecca Pollock <Rebecca.Pollock@utsa.edu>
Date: Friday, May 7, 2021 at 4:11 PM
Cc: Lisa Montoya <Lisa.Montoya@utsa.edu>, Global <Global@utsa.edu>, Ashley Wallace <Ashley.Wallace@utsa.edu>
Subject: International students guidelines for AY 2021-22 - Update
Dear College Leaders,
I am reaching out with some great news for our international students!
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the March 2020 guidelines for F-1 students will remain the same for AY 2021-22. Usually, students who hold F-1 visas,
(90% of our international students), can only be enrolled in one online course to maintain their visa status.
The March 2020 guidelines remaining in place are different and include the following:
-
Students on F-1 visa, who started on or before spring 2020, can take a full load of courses online, without risking their visa status
-
Students on F-1 visa, who were new and initial F-1 student on or after summer 2020, will need to take at least one 3-credit course with in-person instruction. *Please
note that transfer students and change of level students are not considered new and initial students for F-1 purposes and may take a full load of online courses.
This means that about 40% or 350 of our international students may need to adjust their schedules.
During AY 2020-21 we provided you a list of the impacted students so that you could better support them given the limited number of in-person courses that were offered. With a resumption of normal campus life including many courses
offered in person for AY 2021-22, we will not provide these lists.
Nonetheless, International Services will communicate directly with the students and ensure they are aware of these guidelines. Academic advisors and GARs will also be able to assist with these requirements and resolve most issues.
Undergraduate international students will be able to get support from the Graduation Help Desk if their academic advisors are unable to help.
If you would like to read more about the guidelines from ICE, please click here.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions and/or concerns.
Best regards,
Rebecca
Rebecca Pollock, MBA
(She/her/hers)
Senior Director, International Services
Unit of Global Initiatives
The University of Texas at San Antonio
We are
global.utsa.edu
