Q: Do I need a new I-20 with a special note to enter the US?

A: No, not for Fall. Students do not need a new I-20 to travel to the US if the I-20 end date is still valid and they have a valid travel signature. This signature is valid for one year beyond the date it was signed.

Q: I am a current student, do I need a new I-20 if I am outside the US for more than five months?

A: No. The five-month rule has been suspended at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing students can depart the US and remain in active status if they are taking a full course load, even if they are outside the country for longer than five months.

Q: I am a new student. Do I need a new I-20 if I want to enroll online from my home country?

A: No, you do not need a new I-20. Students will need a new I-20 to enter once they decide on the term of entry and will not be registered in SEVIS until they enter the US.

Q: As a current F-1 student who is outside the U.S., what if I am unable to enroll full-time for the Fall term?

A: It is possible to take a temporary leave of absence by emailing ISSS the completed Temporary Absence form found on our website. Once received, ISSS will end the student's F-1 SEVIS record. When the student knows the quarter/semester in which they plan to return to campus, the student should inform ISSS so that we can determine whether the student is eligible to request a SEVIS record reactivation or if the student will need a new I-20.

Students who are sick or who have a medical condition which prevents their return to the U.S. can submit the Less Than Full-time Enrollment for Medical Reasons form.

Q: I am a new student, what is the earliest date I can arrive in the United States?

A: The earliest you can arrive to the United States is 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20. For students beginning in Fall Quarter 2020, the program start date is September 7th.

Q: What should I consider when I enter the U.S and come through Customs & Immigration?

A: New students will have been informed about paperwork they should have on each person upon entering the US. Students should ALSO ensure that they have registered for fall classes prior to entering the US and provide registration proof if requested. A full course load is required to maintain F-1 status.

ISSS has prepared a letter (here) that students can use during visa interviews and when entering the U.S. that explains the university's fall instructional model.

Q: I am in the US. Do I need to take in-person classes in order to stay in the US?

A: Pending clarification from SEVP, we recommend that all continuing and incoming students enroll in at least 1 in person or hybrid class for the Fall 2020 term.

Q: If I'm coming from a country that is not listed in the restrictions, but I have a stop in one of these countries, will I be able to enter the US?

A: If you are coming from a country that is not listed in the restrictions, you cannot pass through any country with a travel restriction and then come to the US, even if you only go through the airport in that country. In order to avoid the travel restriction, you must spend 14 days in a country with no travel restriction to the US prior to entry.

Q: With the ban from specific countries, will we not be able to arrive and isolate for 14 days before attending in person classes?

A: If you are currently in a country with a travel restriction to the US, you must complete your 14-day quarantine outside the US in a 3rd country with no travel restriction. After completing your quarantine in that country, you will be able to enter the US and begin studying. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information on travelers from other countries.

ISSS recommends all students travelling from outside the United States download this letter to bring with you to your visa appointment and/or port of entry: (Link)

For more information regarding traveling to the U.S. for Fall 2020, kindly read the information on our Travel page: here.

Q: I am at home. Can I take courses online from my home country?

A: Continuing students can take a full time course load online and maintain an active SEVIS record. Incoming students can take a full time course load online, however, your SEVIS record will not be active. OFAC Countries where students cannot study online: Iran, Sudan, Crimea, Cuba, Syria, North Korea, & Venezuela.

Q: If I take online classes outside the US, how many classes can I choose at least?

A: Outside the US, continuing and incoming students can take as many or as little courses as you like. Continuing students who want to maintain an active SEVIS record should enroll for a full course load of 12 credits for undergrads or 8 for grad students.

Q: What is the duration limit on how long I can be outside the States due to the pandemic or COVID-19?

A: The normal five-month rule has been suspended, so at this time during COVID there is no limit to the amount of time you can stay outside the US and maintain active status.

Q: What if I am a new student and am not able/ready to enter the US?

A: If you cannot enter the U.S. by the start of the Fall term (August 17th for Law Students, September 14th for all other programs), please inform ISSS at isss@du.edu since we must update and provide you with a new I-20 to match your new term of study at DU.

Note that you can still take classes online for Fall while outside the U.S.

For F-1 students to notify us of their intention to temporarily leave the United States and later return to continue studies at DU, submit the form: Notice of Temporary Absence Form.

Q : How will the university handle a sudden outbreak of COVID on campus?

A: The Office of the Chancellor will issue a statement on July 27th with further information.

• Please see: COVID-19 website for additional updates
• Please review the reopening plan issued by the Chancellor's Office on July 15th: An Action Plan for DU's Fall Return to Campus

Dear International Community,

The ISSS staff and I are committed to continuing our advising and personal support for you and are doing so remotely until we are instructed to return to I House. Our web links will take you to Advising options, Orientation information, OPT/CPT application processes and other interesting information. Should you have a question please email isss@du.edu and you will receive a reply within 48 hours or less.

For those who have remained on campus, or are in the Denver area, please note that you will be receiving emails and The Globe newsletter (sign up here: Subscription Form) informing you of the latest new, events and (remote) activities which you can join. The ISSS Programming Team is busy finding ways to engage your interest and help you balance your time between studying and relaxing.

While we look forward to seeing you in person once the university decides it is safe, we're only a phone call, Zoom meeting or email away, so do stay in touch.

Lynne Warner
Director, ISSS

Dear International Students and Scholars,

The International House is closed until ISSS notifies you that it will reopen. Please see the information below about how to access ISSS advisors and services.

This is a difficult time and circumstances change very quickly. For your health and safety as well as the health and safety of those around all of us, this is a necessary action. 

ISSS will remain available to support you with remote access to advisors and documents. Refer to this week's edition of The Globe for information about taking care of yourself and others during this time including access to the International Student Support Program.

Beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, the International House will be closed until we notify you it is open again. ISSS encourages you contact ISSS remotely: 

Quick Question Advising is cancelled for the spring term.

ISSS advisors will advise remotely via phone or Zoom. Schedule an appointment. 

• The advisor will call you using the U.S. phone number you provide. 
• If you are outside the U.S., note in Appointment Comments section that you need a Zoom meeting. A link will be sent to your DU email.

Email ISSS at isss@du.edu. 

Call 303-871-4912 between 9am and 12pm or 1pm and 3pm, Monday-Friday. An ISSS advisor will return your call.

Submit all document requests via email to isss@du.edu. 

• Scan the document request and supporting documents as one file, if possible. 
  • Use scanner located in public places on campus
  • Use scanning app on your phone
  • Print to PDF from your computer
  • Avoid sending photos
• If you Include the Mailing Authorization Form with your request, ISSS will mail your I-20 or DS-2019 to you. All other documents will be sent via email.

Call Campus Safety at 303-871-2334 outside of I-House hours for safety or health emergencies. 

If you have concerns or questions, please contact ISSS at isss@du.edu or 303-871-4912.

The Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released new guidance on July 6th & 7th which significantly changed previous COVID-19 enrollment guidelines. SEVP subsequently withdrew their new guidance on July 14, 2020.​

Fall 2020 enrollment requirements for F-1 students now follow the same rules that governed Spring and Summer terms based on SEVP March guidance.

An FAQ is being developed and will be posted following the Town Hall meeting on Friday, July 17, 2020 at 2pm MST (link).

The Department of State announced on July 14, 2020, that U.S. Embassies and Consulates are beginning to restart their routine visa services. Each location will be on a different timeline so it is best to visit the website of the specific Embassy or Consulate for more information.

List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates

In a presidential proclamation issued on May 24, 2020, most foreign nationals who have been physically present in Brazil are not allowed to attempt entry into the United States for fourteen days following their departure from any country covered by the travel restrictions. This suspension of travel went into effect on May 28,2020, at 11:59pm eastern daylight time.

If you are unable to return to the U.S. to continue your studies due to these travel restrictions, please contact ISSS to discuss your options. Email – Appointments

Dear DU Community,

As we focus considerable energy on the here and now—course work, health and safety, and staying socially connected through digital means—we also are looking at the longer-term implications of COVID-19 on University programs.

Based on elevated international and domestic travel warnings recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the U.S. Department of State, the University will be cancelling all international programs for the summer quarter and strongly recommends the suspension of all international travel until June 30, 2020. This will include all study abroad programs, experiential travel, and other group travel for students and faculty. By making this decision now, our academic units will be in a better position to plan alternate academic opportunities that also benefit students. It will also allow our students the chance to consider other options if they had been planning an international experience this summer.

Further, we are strongly recommending that all non-essential international and domestic employee travel be avoided until June 30.

Recommendations about fall study abroad programs will be shared towards the end of April since course registrations for fall quarter begin in early May.

We will continue to re-evaluate this travel policy and all related academic decisions, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. In the meantime, in order to comply with this recommendation, we ask that any travel planning be suspended until we have additional information and guidelines to share.

Sincerely,

Corinne Lengsfeld, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Uttiyo Raychaudhuri, Vice Provost for Internationalization

In a presidential proclamation issued on March 14, 2020, most foreign nationals who have been physically present in the United Kingdom, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe, or the Republic of Ireland are not allowed to attempt entry into the United States for fourteen days following their departure from any country covered by the travel restrictions. This suspension of travel went into effect on March 16, 2020 at 11:59pm eastern daylight time.

If you are unable to return to the U.S. to continue your studies due to these travel restrictions, please contact ISSS to discuss your options. Email – Appointments

In a presidential proclamation issued on March 11, 2020, most foreign nationals who have been physically present in European Schengen Area countries are not allowed to attempt entry into the United States for fourteen days following their departure from any country covered by the travel restrictions. This suspension of travel went into effect on March 13, 2020 at 11:59pm eastern daylight time.

For purposes of this proclamation, the Schengen Area comprises 26 European states: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

If you are unable to return to the U.S. to continue your studies due to these travel restrictions, please contact ISSS to discuss your options. Email – Appointments

In a presidential proclamation issued on February 29, 2020, most foreign nationals who have been physically present in Iran are not allowed to attempt entry into the United States for fourteen days following their departure from Iran. This suspension of travel went into effect on March 2, 2020.

If you are unable to return to the U.S. to continue your studies due to these travel restrictions, please contact ISSS to discuss your options. Email – Appointments

In a presidential proclamation issued on January 31, 2020, most foreign nationals who have been physically present in China, excluding Hong Kong and Macau, are not allowed to attempt entry into the United States for fourteen days following their departure from Iran. This suspension of travel went into effect on February 2, 2020.

If you are unable to return to the U.S. to continue your studies due to these travel restrictions, please contact ISSS to discuss your options. Email – Appointments

International students still have to file taxes! Students who earned income last year must file a full tax return. Students who did not earn income must file Form 8843. You can file at any time, but you must file your tax return or Form 8843 by July 15, 2020.

LEARN HOW TO FILE TAXES