SEVP Broadcast message concerning Novel Coronavirus

On January 29, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) broadcast a message concerning Novel Coronavirus and how the nationwide response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) will impact F and M students and their accompanying dependents.

SEVP highlighted that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is the primary resource for up-to-date information on all diseases and biological threats. CDC information about this virus is available at About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Additionally, many state and local government public health agencies are developing directions, and state educational systems are incorporating this information into their messaging for schools. Identify and refer to these resources in the management and enrollment of students traveling from 2019-nCoV impacted places. Additionally, advise students traveling from 2019-nCoV impacted places to refer to guidance from the CDC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection about specific port of entry screening processes.

If your school has international students who are currently outside of the United States in impacted places or who are exhibiting symptoms of 2019-nCoV:

1. Initial students:

a. Delay their program start date and issue a new initial Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

2. Active students:

a. You may authorize a medical reduced course load. The student will need to provide medical documentation from a doctor. The DSO would then register the student in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for a medically reduced course load with no course load.

b. You may terminate their SEVIS records for authorized early withdrawal upon the student’s request.

3. Students on temporary absence:

a. You may advise them not to travel to the United States until they can re-enroll in a full course of study.

b. If the delay in a student’s return from a temporary absence exceeds the five-month limit, you should provide details to the SEVP Response Center at SEVP@ice.dhs.gov. SEVP will resolve these on a case-by-case basis.

If your school has students currently inside the United States who are exhibiting symptoms of 2019-nCoV:

1. If it is not possible for the student to enroll for this term, please follow step 2a above to authorize a medically reduced course load.

2. Please have the student follow the directions from the CDC: What to do if you are sick with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).