The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) ended its COVID-19 guidance on May 11, 2023, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023.
/On May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced the end of its Corona Virus (COVID-19) guidance, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. This announcement was made after the President officially announced the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023.
While the SEVP’s COVID-19 guidance is terminated as of May 11, 2023, Active F and M students will be able to complete the 2022-23 academic year under the COVID-19 flexibilities through the 2023 summer semester. However, active F and M students will not be permitted to count online classes toward a full course of study in excess of the regulatory limits stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v) for the 2023-24 academic year.
Initial or re-entering students must enroll in programs complying with the regulatory limits for distance learning as stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G). Designated school officials should not issue Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” for students in new or initial status who are outside of the United States who plan to take classes at an educational institution certified by SEVP for a program of study that contains online components in excess of the regulatory limits.
For schools, while all previously submitted procedural change plans are voided as of May 11, 2023, Active F and M students will be able to complete the 2022-23 academic year under the flexibilities through the 2023 summer session. With the beginning of the fall 2023 session, schools must comply with all regulatory limits in 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f), 8 C.F.R. 214.2(m), 8 C.F.R. 214.3 and 8 C.F.R. 214.4.