SEVP will extend March 2020 Guidance on Distance Learning for the 2021-22 Academic Year

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will extend the guidance originally issued in March 2020 for the 2021-22 academic year. This guidance enables schools and students to engage in remote learning that exceeds regulatory limits due to the ongoing public health concerns caused by COVID-19. The March 2020 guidance applies to nonimmigrant students who were actively enrolled at a U.S. school on March 9, 2020 and are otherwise adhering to the terms of their nonimmigrant status.  

Active F and M students will be permitted to temporarily count online classes towards a full course of study in excess of previous regulatory limits for the 2021-2022 academic year. Students who were actively enrolled at a U.S. school on March 9, 2020, who subsequently took courses online while outside the country can re-enter the United States, even if their school continues to hold virtual classes. New or initial F and M student who were not previously enrolled in a program of study on March 9, 2020 will not be able to enter the U.S. for the 2021-2022 academic year if their academic courses will be solely online. 

SEVP-certified schools do not need to submit a procedural plan detailing its alternative procedures for the 2021-2022 academic year if they have previously submitted a plan to SEVP and the school is not making substantive changes. Schools should submit a plan detailing substantive changes to SEVP within 10 business days of the decision to implement the change.  

SEVP recently updated its frequently asked questions with information on the application of the March 2020 guidance to the 2021-22 academic year. It will continue to update stakeholders in the academic community through its communication channels, including Broadcast Messages, SEVP field representatives, Study in the States blog posts and social media.