International Student - COVID-19 FAQ
Below we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not listed below and/or need further clarification for your specific circumstance, please email the CIP at studyabroad@stmarys-ca.edu.
On March 20th, 2020 in response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State temporarily suspended visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates and cancelled all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. At this time, it is unclear when U.S. Embassies and Consulates will resume routine visa services.
At this point, you will need to keep checking the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website in your home country for updates on future appointments. We also encourage you to contact your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate via email or phone for status updates.
If you cannot arrive on time for the start of the Spring 2021 semester, please notify the Center for International Programs of your plans. We recommend contacting The Advising Office for further instructions on course registration and academic planning, as well as monitoring your SMC email for updates.
In order to be eligible for F-1 Curricular Pratical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization, students must have been enrolled continuously for 1 academic year in active F-1 status. Currently, F-1 students only accrue eligibility for Practical Training is that in "Active" status on SEVIS. However prior to entry into the U.S., students are in "Initial" status. A student's I-20 and SEVIS record cannot be made "Active" until they physically enter the U.S. for the first time.
The only exception is that CPT is available to graduate students for whom internship is a degree requirement for all students in the program prior to completion of 1 academic year. No exception exists for OPT.
As an incoming international student, your SEVIS record is in "Initial" status until you enter the U.S. Incoming international students cannot enter the U.S. to pursue fully online courses. SMC is offering both in-person and flex classes to undergraduate students who live on campus. Incoming international students must live on campus in order to be enrolled in in-person or flex classes for visa purposes.
If SMC is fully online for the Spring 2021 quarter, your SEVIS record will be deferred to the following term or until courses resume in-person.
Students who were previously studying in the U.S. may pursue a fully online courseload assuming they have not departed the U.S. If you have departed the U.S., you may not reenter until SMC resumes in-person courses.
International students seeking re-entry to the US to resume coursework have been deemed as "essential" and will be permitted to enter the US if they present the following documents:
- valid F-1 visa (Canadian citizens do not need a valid visa)
- valid I-20 with a travel signature no older than 12 months
- valid passport
- negative COVID-19 test within the last 3 days prior to travel
Please complete the I-20 Reprint Form to request a reprinted I-20 for lost, damaged, stolen or updated I-20s. Typically, electronically issued I-20s are not accepted by Custom and Border Protection (CBP). However, SEVP has coordinated with both the Department of State and CBP regarding the policy to allow electronic issuance and signing of Forms I-20 for the duration of the COVID19 emergency. Both agencies are in support of this action. SEVP continues to respond to any issues raised or questions from both agencies about this policy and will provide clarity as needed.
The availability of flights from your home country or current residence to the US will depend on a number of different factors, and is subject to change quickly without notice. It is recommended to make travel arrangements well in advance, not only to secure your seat, but to leave enough time to make other arrangements if necessary.
Per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, all international students are required to quarantine for a full 14 days before starting practice, in-person or hybrid courses, or any other face-to-face activity on campus. As of right now, students who have applied to live on campus for the Spring 2020 semester will be permitted to quarantine in the residence halls. Students who are planning to live off campus for the Spring 2020 semester should plan to quarantine in their off-campus housing arrangements. Please make the necessary travel arrangements to complete the full 14-day quarantine before beginning any activity on campus.
To comply with health and county regulations, Sodexo (the College’s food partnership) will be providing ‘grab and go’ options through Oliver Hall. If students move in early, they will be responsible for dining on their own. Students would be able to obtain ‘grab and go’ meals through Sodexo for an additional fee.
We acknowledge that international students are preparing for their arrival to campus ahead of time. In order to provide students with the most accurate information, given the fluidity of health and county guidance, please send the Center for International Programs and Campus Housing office the following information:
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When are you planning to depart from your home country?
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When are you planning on arriving to the Bay area?
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When are you planning to arrive on campus?
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Are you planning to live on campus? If so, what is your room assignment?
Without this information, we will be unable to provide you with more information or prepare for your arrival on campus.
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For information about what services and resources will be available on campus, click here. Campus Housing will be updating the page regularly as we near move-in dates and the start of each semester.
On July 14th, SEVP announced that they had rescinded their previous guidance that prohibited international students from taking a fully online course load from within the US. This means that continuing international students can now take a fully online course load from within or outside of the US and still maintain their F-1 status. SEVP hasn't released any new guidance since rescinding their previous guidance, so it's important to remain flexible. If or when SEVP makes an announcement, the Center for International Programs will share it with our international student population.
Discussions about returning domestic and international students are happening on a daily basis. The Housing Office in conjunction with other departments on campus are working to formulate a plan that allows students to live on campus, but also comply with CDC guidelines for social and physical distancing, sanitation, and the general health and safety of students. Please know that this planning and implementation will take some time, and once a plan is in place, students will be informed. Check in with the Housing Department for the most up-to-date information about living on campus.
There are still active travel bans that the US has imposed on travelers from the Schengen Area of Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Iran, South Africa and Brazil. But the terms of these restrictions are subject to change without notice.
On July 16, 2020 the US Department of State announced that international students with valid F-1 visas may travel to the US directly from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland. This means that students do not have to quarantine outside of these areas before traveling to the US, but can now travel directly to the US. To read the official announcement, please go to: https://bit.ly/2ZMcWQk.
For students residing in a country with a travel restriction outside of the Schengen Area, in order to return to the US, students need to first travel to an unrestricted area where there are no travel restrictions, quarantine for 14 full days, and then travel to the US.
It is important to note that these travel bans also include layovers in these areas. For example, if a student is traveling from an area without travel restrictions, and has a layover in an area that does have travel restrictions (Brazil, Iran, China and South Africa), that traveler will not be granted entry to the US until they have quarantined in a non-restricted area for 14 full days. It is highly recommended to make flight arrangements that do not have layovers in Brazil, Iran and China.
These travel bans are reviewed every 30 days and are updated as necessary.
It is unknown at this time when these travel bans will be lifted and if they will be lifted before classes are scheduled to begin. The Center for International Programs is committed to supporting students and is readily available to provide services to ensure the academic success of our international student population.
Students are able to stay in the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa stamp as long as they are actively maintaining F-1 student status (i.e. up to date I-20, making academic progress towards their degree, etc). If you leave the U.S. and your F-1 visa stamp in your passport has expired, you will need to apply and receive a new visa before returning. Please contact The Center for International Programs if you have additional questions about maintaining your F-1 status and/or applying for a new F-1 visa.
If your F-1 visa expires prior to your intended return to the U.S., you will need to renew it immediately. You will be unable to return to the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa stamp in your passport, even if your I-20 is up to date.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some U.S. Embassies and Consulates are closed or have very limited amount of appointments. At this point, you will need to keep checking the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website in your home country for updates on future appointments. We also encourage you to contact your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate via email or phone for status updates.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulation, F-1 students are NOT allowed to apply for Optional Practical Training from outside of the U.S. However, as the COVID-19 crisis continues, SEVP will continue to issue emerging guidance on OPT because it requires collaboration due to interagency components. Please contact the Center for International Programs for more information.
If you have already mailed your OPT application, you can depart the U.S. However, you will need to make sure that the mailing address that you listed on your I-765 is still valid and being checked daily.
For additional help and resources, please visit our Optional Practical Training (OPT) webpage.
If you have OPT or STEM OPT Extension authorization you may work remotely throughout any local, state or federally mandated stay-at-home and/or shelter-in-place orders, or at the direction of your employer. We recommend to you keep in contact with your direct supervisor and employer while working remotely.
If you have been temporarily furloughed, but are still actively employed by the organization, you are not considered unemployed for OPT or STEM OPT unemployment purposes and do not need to report the unpaid leave or furlough days to the Center for International Programs. We recommend requesting documentation from your employer's Human Resources department or supervisor to verify your employment through this furlough period and when you are expected to return to work.
If you have been laid-off, you are considered unemployed for OPT or STEM OPT unemployment purposes and you need to report the unemployment to our office. Please contact the Center for International Programs for further guidance.
The Center for International Programs is unable to answer specific questions about state unemployment insurance. But, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that unemployment benefits are not considered “public benefits” that would violate the public charge rule. However, it is unclear whether use of unemployment benefits could make a student likely to be seen as someone who could become a public charge in the future. Being seen as a potential public charge could negatively impact applications for future visas or immigration benefits.
If you've been furloughed or laid off, your employer should be able to provide you information for the correct state agency and details on the application process. Otherwise, each state has their own individual process related to unemployment insurance (which is a financial payment for unemployed workers). For more information on eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance in California, please click here.
Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
I hope that this message finds you and your families well and healthy. I'm writing to address questions that I've received from several students regarding returning to the US for fall semester classes and what the fall semester is going to look like. I've had a few meetings with senior administrators in an attempt to get the answers to all of your questions and provide the most up-to-date information. Please read this message thoroughly.
Travel Bans
There are still active travel bans that the US has imposed on travelers from the Schengen Area of Europe and Brazil. This means that students cannot travel directly to the US from these countries. In order to return to the US from these areas, students need to first travel to an area where there are no travel restrictions, quarantine for 14 full days, and then travel to the US.
It is important to note that these travel bans also include layovers in these areas. For example, if a student is traveling from an area without travel restrictions, and has a layover in an area that does have travel restrictions (Schengen Area or Brazil), that traveler will not be granted entry to the US until they have quarantined in a non-restricted area for 14 full days. It is highly recommended to make flights arrangements that do not have layovers in the Schengen Area or Brazil.
It is unknown at this time when these travel bans will be lifted and if they will be lifted before classes are scheduled to begin on August 24, 2020.
Flights to the US
The availability of flights from your home country or current residence to the US will depend on a number of different factors, and is subject to change quickly without notice. It is recommended to make travel arrangements well in advance, not only to secure your seat, but to leave enough time to make other arrangements if necessary.
Required Quarantine
Per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, all international students are required to quarantine for a full 14 days before starting practice, in-person or hybrid courses, or any other face-to-face activity on campus. Students will be permitted to quarantine in the residence halls on campus. Please make the necessary travel arrangements to complete the full 14-day quarantine before beginning any activity on campus.
3-Tier Mode of Instruction
Saint Mary's has adopted a 3-Tier Mode of Instruction plan for fall 2020 courses that will allow all students to select the type of instruction that they prefer. Students will have the choice between in-person courses, online courses, and hybrid courses, which are a mix of online and in-person instruction. If international students wish to pursue a fully online course load for fall, they may do so. The same goes for in-person courses. Or students may choose to do a mixture of online and in-person classes.
To be clear, international students who enroll in a fully online course load (from abroad or within the US) for fall 2020 will still be considered in valid F-1 status. Saint Mary's will continue to sponsor your student visa and I will keep your SEVIS record open and active. If there are any changes in policy regarding the permissibility for international students to take online courses, I will communicate that via email immediately.
Documents to Carry
When re-entering the US, all international students must present the following documents to Customs & Border Protection:
- valid passport
- valid F-1 visa
- valid I-20 with a travel signature no older than 12 months
If you need an updated travel signature, please contact me directly.
Planned Date of Return to SMC
In our best efforts to make all necessary accommodations and arrangements for fall, it would be immensely helpful for us to know when international students are planning to return to campus.
Please take a few minutes to respond to this email once you know the following:
- planned date of return to campus
- date when 14-day quarantine period will complete
If you have any questions about this information, please don't hesitate to reach out. I will continue to update you all throughout the summer, so please be sure to check your email on a regular basis.
I sincerely hope that you are all well and healthy. Please take care and be well.
Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
I hope that this message finds you and your families well and healthy. I'm writing to address questions that I've received from several students regarding traveling to the US for fall semester classes and other important questions. I've had a few meetings with senior administrators in an attempt to get the answers to all of your questions and provide the most up-to-date information. Please read this message thoroughly.
Travel Bans
There are still active travel bans that the US has imposed on travelers from the Schengen Area of Europe and Brazil. This means that students cannot travel directly to the US from these countries. In order to return to the US from these areas, students need to first travel to an area where there are no travel restrictions, quarantine for 14 full days, and then travel to the US.
It is important to note that these travel bans also include layovers in these areas. For example, if a student is traveling from an area without travel restrictions, and has a layover in an area that does have travel restrictions (Schengen Area or Brazil), that traveler will not be granted entry to the US until they have quarantined in a non-restricted area for 14 full days. It is highly recommended to make flight arrangements that do not have layovers in the Schengen Area or Brazil.
It is unknown at this time when these travel bans will be lifted and if they will be lifted before classes are scheduled to begin on August 24, 2020.
Flights to the US
The availability of flights from your home country or current residence to the US will depend on a number of different factors, and is subject to change quickly without notice. It is recommended to make travel arrangements well in advance, not only to secure your seat, but to leave enough time to make other arrangements if necessary.
Visa Appointments
As of today, the US Department of State has not reopened any US embassies or consulates abroad for routine visa processing. Students requesting visas are able to complete the DS-160 visa application and schedule an appointment. It is highly recommended that all students complete all steps (pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 application, and schedule an appointment with the local US embassy or consulate) and monitor the website of the consulate or embassy where they plan to interview. It is likely that some interviews may be cancelled and rescheduled by the US embassy or consulate if that location has not reopened for visa processing.
Because the F-1 visa application includes a face-to-face interview with a US Consular Officer, it will depend on the conditions of COVID-19 in the local area as to when the US embassies and consulates will resume interviewing applicants and visa processing.
New I-20s with Updated Program Start Date
Saint Mary's has recently changed the beginning of the fall semester from August 31, 2020 to August 24, 2020. Those students who were issued I-20s with the original start date of August 31 will receive new I-20s with the new start date of August 24 along with a letter of support explaining the change in dates. This will not impact any visa applications that have been submitted with the August 31 start date. When interviewing for the visa, be sure to use the I-20 with the August 24, 2020 start date.
Required Quarantine
Per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, all international students are required to quarantine for a full 14 days before starting practice, in-person or hybrid courses, or any other face-to-face activity on campus. Students will be permitted to quarantine in the residence halls on campus. Please make the necessary travel arrangements to complete the full 14-day quarantine before beginning any activity on campus.
3-Tier Mode of Instruction
Saint Mary's has adopted a 3-Tier Mode of Instruction plan for fall 2020 courses that will allow all students to select the type of instruction that they prefer. New incoming international students will have the choice between in-person courses, online courses, and hybrid courses, which are a mix of online and in-person instruction. Per the governmental regulations that govern your F-1 student visa, international students may only take one online class per semester. This means that new international students must choose fall semester courses that are in-person or hybrid with a maximum of only one online class. If there are any changes in policy regarding the permissibility for international students to take online courses, I will communicate that via email immediately.
Planned Date of Arrival to SMC
In our best efforts to make all necessary accommodations and arrangements for fall, it would be immensely helpful for us to know when international students are planning to arrive on campus.
Please take a few minutes to respond to this email once you know the following:
- planned date of arrival to campus
- date when 14-day quarantine period will complete
If you have any questions about this information, please don't hesitate to reach out. I will continue to update you all throughout the summer, so please be sure to check your SMC email on a regular basis.
I sincerely hope that you are all well and healthy. Please take care and be well
Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
As many of you begin to make travel arrangements to return to the US, I want to provide information and updates that are important to keep in mind when preparing to travel to the US.
Schengen Area & United Kingdom & Brazil Travel Bans
There are still active travel bans that the US has imposed on travelers from the Schengen Area of Europe, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. This means that students cannot travel directly to the US from these countries. In order to return to the US from these areas, students need to first travel to an unrestricted area where there are no travel restrictions, quarantine for 14 full days, and then travel to the US.
It is important to note that these travel bans also include layovers in these areas. For example, if a student is traveling from an area without travel restrictions, and has a layover in an area that does have travel restrictions (Schengen Area, UK, or Brazil), that traveler will not be granted entry to the US until they have quarantined in a non-restricted area for 14 full days. It is highly recommended to make flight arrangements that do not have layovers in the Schengen Area, UK, or Brazil.
It is unknown at this time when these travel bans will be lifted and if they will be lifted before classes are scheduled to begin on August 24, 2020.
Travel from Canada & Mexico
The US land borders with Canada and Mexico are currently closed to tourism and other non-essential travel. However, students seeking re-entry to the US to resume coursework have been deemed as "essential" and will be permitted to enter the US if they present the following documents:
- valid F-1 visa (Canadian citizens do not need a valid visa)
- valid I-20 with a travel signature no older than 12 months
- valid passport
Flights to the US
The availability of flights from your home country or current residence to the US will depend on a number of different factors, and is subject to change quickly without notice. It is recommended to make travel arrangements well in advance, not only to secure your seat, but to leave enough time to make other arrangements if necessary.
Required Quarantine
Per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, all international students are required to quarantine for a full 14 days before starting practice, in-person or hybrid courses, or any other face-to-face activity on campus. As of right now, students will be permitted to quarantine in the residence halls on campus. Please make the necessary travel arrangements to complete the full 14-day quarantine before beginning any activity on campus.
On-Campus Housing
Discussions about returning domestic and international students are happening on a daily basis in preparation for the fall semester. The Housing Office in conjunction with other departments on campus are working to formulate a plan that allows students to live on campus, but also comply with CDC guidelines for social and physical distancing, sanitation, and the general health and safety of students. Please know that this planning and implementation will take some time, and once a plan is in place, students will be informed. I understand that many of you have questions about living and quananting on campus, and I will update you all on any new information that comes my way, but your patience and understanding are very much appreciated.
I hope that you and your families are all safe, healthy and happy. If there is anything that I can do to assist you as you prepare for the fall semester, please let me know.
Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which oversees institutions that host international students in the United States and is operated by the Department of Homeland Security, has announced new guidance regarding the mode of instruction that international students can pursue for Fall 2020.
Fully Online Course Load
Per SEVP guidance, international students are permitted to enroll in a fully online course load for the Fall 2020 semester. However, students who choose to engage in a fully online course load cannot remain in the United States, and must depart the U.S. before the start of fall or autumn classes or must remain outside of the U.S. if already in their home country. If you enroll in a fully online course load, Saint Mary's will continue to maintain your SEVIS record and keep it active while you participate in remote learning from abroad.
This announcement reverses the temporary permission that allowed international students to engage in a fully online course load during the spring and summer terms back to the original F-1 student visa regulation that states that international students cannot pursue a fully online course load within the U.S.
To be clear, international students who are enrolled in a fully online course load will not be deported or forcibly removed from the United States. Deportation implies that an individual was ordered to depart the U.S. by an immigration judge, but failed to comply with that order or has committed a crime, and is being forcibly removed from the U.S.
Saint Mary’s Planned Mix of In-Person, Hybrid, and Fully Online Courses
Per SEVP guidance, international students who have the option to enroll in either online, hybrid, or in-person classes may still enroll in online classes. International students can still remain in or return to the U.S. if enrolled in a combination of online, hybrid, or in-person courses, but online classes should satisfy degree requirements.
Saint Mary's is taking all of the necessary steps to resume hybrid and in-person courses to ensure that our students have access to multiple options. At this time, international students will have the option to choose between fully online or hybrid/in-person courses when finalizing their course schedule for fall.
CPT or OPT Work Authorization
Those students who are currently authorized to work in the U.S. under CPT or OPT, or students who wish to apply for CPT or OPT, are not impacted by this guidance, and are encouraged to continue working on or applying for CPT or OPT as normal. CPT and OPT applications will not be denied due to this new guidance. The regulations regarding CPT and OPT remain unchanged.
Reissuing I-20s for Re-Entry
The Center for International Programs is required by SEVP to reissue I-20s to all international students with a notiation about the modality of coursework at Saint Mary’s. The Center for International Programs will begin issuing I-20s to each international student that contains comments in the ‘Remarks’ section on the first page of the I-20. It is extremely important that students use this updated I-20 with comments in the ‘Remarks’ section when applying for the F-1 visa or entering the U.S. You can expect to receive your I-20 electronically by the end of next week. You must print out the new I-20 and use the physical hard copy when applying for the F-1 visa or entering the U.S.
I understand that this news was shocking for many, but I assure you that SMC is working to make sure that everyone in our community is safe and welcome. I hope that you are all safe and healthy
Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
There have been some significant updates in the areas of immigration and travel to the US that I'd like to share with you all. Please read the message below thoroughly.
Travel from the Schengen Area, UK & Ireland
On July 16, the US Department of State announced that international students with valid F-1 visas may travel to the US directly from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland. This means that students do not have to quarantine outside of these areas before traveling to the US, but can now travel directly to the US. To read the official announcement, please go to: https://bit.ly/2ZMcWQk.
SEVP Rescinded Guidance Regarding Online Classes
Last week, SEVP announced that they had rescinded their previous guidance that prohibited international students from taking a fully online course load from within the US. This means that international students can now take a fully online course load from within or outside of the US and still maintain their F-1 status. SEVP hasn't released any new guidance since rescinding their previous guidance, so it's important to remain flexible. If or when SEVP makes an announcement regarding Fall 2020, I will share it with you all.
Updated I-20s for New & Returning Students
Since SEVP has rescinded the guidance that required schools to issue new I-20s, there is no need for you to receive an updated I-20 with comments about the modality of your classes for Fall 2020. If you are traveling back to the US, you should use your most recent I-20 with a valid travel signature for entry. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months. New students do not need a travel signature to enter the US. Only students who are re-entering the US will be required to have a valid travel signature on their I-20. Please contact me if you need a new signature.
US Embassies & Consulates are Starting to Reopen
Students are reporting that some consulates and embassies are reopening to resume processing visa applications. Thank you all so much for sharing these updates with me! The US Department of State has loosely outlined how and when offices will begin to reopen and offer guidance on how to monitor the status of each office. To read the official announcement, please go to: https://bit.ly/2WGo5jv.
Quarantining on Campus
The Center for International Programs is working closely with the Housing department on gathering information regarding quarantining on campus. Students who are living on campus for the fall semester will be permitted to quarantine on campus. Since there is a tremendous amount of planning required to ensure the health and safety of students quarantining and living in the residence halls, we do not yet have all of the information on the logistics of living on campus, but are working to get answers to the questions that you all have. We are hoping to send a message out by the end of this week.
Thank you all for your flexibility and understanding as we navigate these uncertain times together. Please let me know if you have questions about this information.
Take care and be well!
Greetings from the Center for International Programs & the Campus Housing Office,
At this time, Saint Mary’s College is working on preparations for students returning to campus for the Fall 2020 term.
According to Campus Housing, the incoming First-Year Student move-in date is Wednesday, August 19, 2020. The new transfer and returning student move-in dates are Saturday, August 22 & Sunday, August 23, 2020. In order to promote physical distancing during move-in, students will select an appointment time to arrive on campus. More information about what students need to complete prior to their arrival on campus will be sent via email by the end of July.
Communication with the Campus Housing Office
We acknowledge that international students are preparing for their arrival to campus ahead of time. In order to provide students with the most accurate information, given the fluidity of health and county guidance, please click "reply all" to respond to this email with the following information:
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When are you planning to depart from your home country?
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When are you planning on arriving to the Bay area?
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When are you planning to arrive on campus?
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Are you planning to live on campus? If so, what is your room assignment?
Please know that the above information will assist both the Center for International Programs and the Campus Housing Office to prepare for your arrival, instruct you on how to obtain keys to your room, etc. With that said, below is some important information that we can provide to you about your return to campus.
Health Protocols that International Students Need to Observe
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Recommendations from local, state, and federal health officials indicate that it is necessary for students who have traveled outside the Bay Area to quarantine for 14 full days prior to your arrival to campus.
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If you will be living on campus, you can self-quarantine in your rooms, as long as you are able to produce a negative Covid test.
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If you will be living on campus, with a roommate in a shared room or in a single room with a shared bathroom, we are still determining what quarantine will look like and what other health and safety protocols will be in place for students during that time.
Food Options On Campus
To comply with health and county regulations, Sodexo (the College’s food partnership) will be providing ‘grab and go’ options through Oliver Hall. Meal plans will not go into effect until Monday, August 24, 2020, which means that students arriving on campus prior to that date will be responsible for dining on their own. Students would be able to obtain ‘grab and go’ meals through Sodexo for an additional fee.
What to Bring
All residential rooms on campus are fully furnished with an extra long twin size mattress and bedframe, desk, chair, dresser and closet. There are various styles (singles, doubles, suite-style and townhouse style) of rooms available to students that learn more about here.
We recommend that you bring your facial coverings and a thermometer to campus in adherence to health and county guidelines. Additionally, you can find a list of items to bring onto campus, here.
Additional Information
For information about what services and resources will be available on campus, click here. We will be updating the page regularly as we near move-in dates and the Fall semester.
If you have any questions, please contact us. And please remember to check your SMC emails as you will be receiving more detailed information about housing soon!
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Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
Last Monday, the Provost announced that Saint Mary's would continue with mainly online instruction for the duration of the Fall 2020 semester. Following that announcement, the Dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration confirmed that the Graduate School of Business would also continue with fully online instruction for the Autumn 2020 quarter.
Applying for an F-1 Visa
International students who are still waiting to attend the visa interview portion of their F-1 application process should plan to postpone their interview until it is confirmed that the Graduate School of Business will move to a hybrid or in-person format. Applying for the F-1 visa while the Graduate School of Business continues to teach completely online could result in a visa denial because incoming international students are not permitted to enter the US to pursue a fully online program of study.
Issuing Updated I-20s
Currently, your I-20s indicate that your program start date is the beginning of the Autumn 2020 quarter. I will reissue updated I-20s with the Winter 2020 quarter listed as your program start date. Please use these updated I-20s when applying for the F-1 visa and when entering the US. You can expect to receive your updated I-20 in the coming weeks.
Beginning your Program Online
The Autumn 2020 quarter will be delivered in an online format and you are able to begin your academic program online from your home country. Please work with your academic department to get enrolled in Autumn 2020 courses and be sure to work closely with your professors to ensure your academic success.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
I hope that you are all safe, healthy and well.
Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
I hope this message finds you all well and healthy! I'm writing with an update on your I-20's for your academic program with the Graduate School of Business at Saint Mary's College of California.
Since the Graduate School of Business will continue with online instruction through the Autumn Quarter 2020, I have updated the Program Start Date on all of your I-20's to January 11, 2021, which is the beginning of the Winter Quarter 2021. Since new international students cannot enter the United States and take a fully online course load, we will continue to defer the Program Start Date on your I-20 until your academic program resumes either a hybrid or in-person modality of instruction.
The Center for International Programs will not mail you a new I-20 until it is confirmed that your academic program will be held in either a hybrid or in-person format for the Winter Quarter 2021. In that case, you will receive a new I-20 so that you can apply for the F-1 visa. If your academic program continues to be fully online through the Winter Quarter 2021, your I-20 will be deferred to the Spring Quarter 2021.
I hope that you all continue to enjoy your classes and hope to welcome you all to campus very soon!
Greetings from the Center for International Programs,
As we approach the end of the semester and the beginning of the holiday season, I want to update you on US and SMC international travel policies. Please take a few minutes to read this message carefully.
Quarantine NOT Required
At the time of this message, Saint Mary's is not requiring a 14-day quarantine upon returning to the United States from international travel. Please keep in mind that this is subject to change depending on federal, state, and local health orders and requirements. If there is a change in the quarantine requirement, I will notify you immediately. All students living on campus will be subject to sequester and COVID testing requirements similar to the fall semester.
Active Travel Restrictions
Currently, travelers coming from Brazil, China or Iran are required to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in a non-restricted country before seeking entry to the US. Students traveling from these countries should plan accordingly to quarantine in a non-restricted area before returning to the US.
There are still active travel restrictions in place for travelers coming from Ireland, the UK, and the Schengen Area of Europe. However, travelers with a valid F-1 visa are automatically granted a National Interest Exception and may reenter the US without completing a 14-day quarantine period. F-1 students do not need to contact a US embassy for a National Interest Waiver - the valid F-1 visa is essentially your waiver.
Lastly, the land borders between Canada and Mexico are still closed to all non-essential travel. F-1 students are deemed "essential" and are permitted to reenter the US at all ports of entry.
For more information, please see these resources:
- Travel Restrictions (Federal Registrar)
- National Interest Exception (Department of State)
Travel Signature on I-20 for Reentry to the US
All F-1 students are required to have a valid travel signature on their I-20 in order to reenter the US. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months. To check the status of your travel signature, look at the Travel Endorsement section on the second page of your I-20.
If your travel signature is less than 12 months old, then you are ok to travel.
If your travel signature is expired or if you do not have a signature, please drop off your I-20 to the Center for International Programs by sliding it under the door. I am on campus every Wednesday and can sign your I-20s at that time. You will receive an email when your I-20 is ready for pick up. The Center for International Programs is located in Brother Jerome West on the first floor in office 130.
If you need a new I-20, please contact me.
Required Documents for Reentry to the US
All F-1 students are required to present the following documents to Customs & Border Protection upon reentering the US:
- valid passport
- valid F-1 visa
- valid I-20 with a travel signature no older than 12 months
If you need to apply for another visa while abroad, please see the Visa Renewal page on our website.
Resources for Traveling during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Guide
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Travel Guide
- Mayo Clinic Travel Advise
If you have any questions on concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
I hope that you are all well and healthy! Good luck with finals!