COVID FAQ for Continuing Undergraduate Students

• On December 23, 2020, Chancellor Yang sent out an update stating that any Winter 2021 in-person courses will begin via remote instruction due to the Santa Barbara County Health order.

  • Although these classes will begin via remote instruction temporarily, there is an intent that they will go back to being in-person once it is deemed safe to do so by health officials. Because of this, these courses are considered "hybrid," meaning that they still count as a course with an in-person component. You should be concerned and find an alternate in-person course only if a course is changed to remote instruction permanently.

  • Students who used, or plan to use, a new initial (including initial SEVIS-Transfer) I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the U.S. any time after March 9, 2020 are required to have at least one class with an in-person component (including hybrid courses) in order to be eligible to enter or remain in the U.S. for the Winter 2021 quarter. If you need help determining if your class is in-person or remote, please contact your College or Department advisor.

• On November 18, 2020, Chancellor Yang sent out an update stating that UCSB would largely continue its delivery of remote instruction in Winter 2021, with limited campus housing, and required COVD-19 testing protocols for any students on campus.
  • OISS has not received any updated immigration guidance regarding Winter 2021. OISS assumes the Fall 2020 remains unchanged, although this will may change if any new or updated immigration guidance is announced. 
• On August 28, 2020, Chancellor Yang sent out an important update regarding Fall 2020 instruction and campus housing. The campus has decided to offer nearly all undergraduate fall courses via remote instruction, and to limit undergraduate student housing for fall quarter to only students with special circumstances.
  • OISS sent out a follow-up message to help answer additional questions unique to the international community. 
• On June 18, 2020, Chancellor Yang announced that UCSB is currently planning for a ‘hybrid’ model in Fall 2020. This means that while most course offerings will still be delivered via remote instruction, there will be some face-to-face courses, as well as ‘hybrid’ courses that offer a combination of remote instruction and face-to-face components.
  • For international students, this means that your physical presence in the U.S. will be required in order to participate in any courses that have a face-to-face component.

On-campus housing for undergraduate students in Fall 2020 will be limited to those with special circumstances only. OISS unfortunately cannot answer housing-related questions. If you have any questions regarding housing, please contact the Housing Office.

If you need assistance in finding off-campus housing, we recommend working with UCSB Community Housing to avoid any scams. 

This question is best answered by your College or department advisor. Please refer any questions regarding your course registrations and academic progress to your academic advisors.

The UCSB campus community is currently on remote status. The Division of Student Affairs has published a Remote Instruction resource page so that you can stay connected and find out how to continue receiving support and services. In addition, you can check out the website of each department to find out how to request services. 

OISS is currently fully operational and providing services to students and scholars, remotely. Any requests, such as submitting paperwork or requesting to schedule a virtual advising appointment, can be directed to oiss@sa.ucsb.edu.

OISS will provide updates to any future operational changes, but please be assured that our office will continue to provide its services. We are here to support you!

If you do not wish to continue your studies, that means that you must request a Leave of Absence from OISS and a Withdrawal from UCSB. You are not eligible to remain in the U.S. if you are not enrolled in a full course of study.

• Email OISS at oiss@sa.ucsb.edu with your name, PERM and request to take a Leave of Absence. An advisor will be in touch to help process your Leave of Absence request. Once your Leave of Absence request is approved, you will then submit your cancelation or withdrawal request to the Office of the Registrar by email.
• Visit the Office of the Registrar "Withdraw from the University” webpage for more information on how this will affect your enrollment as a UCSB student.

If you do not intend to return to UCSB in the future, then you must submit a Completion form to OISS.

You may continue your studies part-time while you are in remote status. However, you must be outside of the U.S. Your immigration record will be terminated due to under-enrollment, but having an inactive record does not affect your status as a UCSB student. You can request a new I-20 or DS-2019 once you plan to return to the U.S. to resume full-time student status.

Yes! The usual limit of one on-line class per quarter has been suspended for the time being. Students may enroll in on-line classes full-time through UCSB while UCSB is allowing remote instruction. 

Students will be able to maintain their visa status under these special circumstances.

Students are still expected to maintain the minimum unit load and comply with other regulatory requirements associated with their visa status unless otherwise authorized.

Yes, as per this link, SEVP has worked with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of State to allow universities to email I-20’s for all uses.  If you hold a J-1 visa and a DS-2019, please note we can only scan DS-2019 documents for Academic Training, all other uses require a physical form to be mailed to you.

Agency Key:

• Customs and Border Protection (CBP): CBP officers process your arrival to the United States at any border crossing (airplane, car or boat). They are responsible for creating your I-94 record.
• Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP): SEVP is responsible for maintaining the database where I-20’s are created.  Your student advisors report to SEVP regarding your student status.
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): For students, this is the agency that will process employment authorization applications.
• Department of State (DOS): This agency oversees visa issuance at United States consulates and embassies around the world.

No, if you are a current J-1 visa holder, then you are permitted to take a fully remote course load. The in-person component is not required at this time.

If you are a continuing student, OISS can continue to keep your SEVIS record active while you study outside the United States as long as you meet the minimum unit requirement. 

Yes, if local health officials require the university to suspend in-person instruction for public health reasons, then the university will switch to a fully online model. Students who are otherwise legally in the U.S. will continue to be allowed to remain in the country and maintain their F-1 status.

Undergraduate students will need to contact your College Advisor:

College of Letters & Science: https://www.duels.ucsb.edu/international-students

College of Creative Studies: https://ccs.ucsb.edu/

College of Engineering:  https://engineering.ucsb.edu/

Graduate students should contact their department advisors for assistance with class schedule questions.

On July 14, 2020, the federal courts overturned SEVP’s guidance that was released on July 6th, 2020. This means that the guidance prior to July 6th is being upheld. You can view the SEVP COVID-19 FAQs (frequently asked questions) here, under the section titled “Nonimmigrant students and SEVP-certified schools.”

Current students must maintain a full course of study if they wish to remain in active status while studying in the U.S. Although UCSB is planning for a ‘hybrid’ model in Fall 2020, students are welcome to take only online/remote courses if they do not wish to register in any courses that have an in-person component.

• You are free to stay in the U.S. or return to your home country if you are enrolled only in remote classes. Keep in mind that any courses with an in-person component requires you to remain in the U.S.
• Do not update your local living address to your international address.  Please keep your current address listed if you are going to study outside the United States. If you are moving within the US please update your address in GOLD.
• If you choose to return to your home country, be sure that you have a valid travel signature from OISS. Travel signatures are valid for up to one year for F-1 and J-1 degree-seeking students, and 6 months for EAP students. You will need a valid travel signature to re-enter the U.S.
• OISS cannot guarantee students' ability to access online coursework in other countries.

Yes! You are eligible to remain in the U.S., even after your visa has expired. You can think of your visa as your ticket to enter the U.S. As long as you have a valid I-20 or DS-2019, you are permitted to stay in the U.S. 

It is possible, but under limited circumstances. If the F-1 visa stamp in your passport is currently expired, visit your local U.S. embassy or consulate website to confirm operating status and find information about appointment rescheduling and/or emergency services. At this time, all travel bans announced since the start of COVID-19 remain in place. Please note that if you are from a country that is on the travel ban list, you are ineligible to enter the U.S. We encourage students who are currently outside of the U.S. to think realistically regarding their ability to enter the U.S. for study in Fall 2020, as ongoing travel bans and consular closures may make it impossible for some students to arrive in time for in-person instruction.

Continuing students who are outside the U.S. and plan to enroll in online classes should maintain a full course of study to retain their F-1 status and to remain in Active SEVIS status. The current DHS guidance allows continuing Active students to be outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months. Additionally, Active students outside of the U.S. will continue to accrue time towards their CPT or OPT requirements.

• If you are currently withdrawn or dismissed from UCSB, then you must petition to be readmitted to UCSB for Fall 2020. You must submit a Request for Undergraduate Readmission or Reinstatement with the Office of the Registrar via email if you are an undergraduate student.
• If you are a graduate student, then you must submit a reinstatement petition with the Graduate Division.
• Once you are readmitted to UCSB for Fall 2020, you may then request an I-20 from OISS if you are planning to return to the United States, although future circumstances may change.

• If and when UCSB announces that it will be returning to in-person instruction in a future quarter, then students who do not currently hold an active I-20 or DS-2019 must request one from OISS and seek entry into the U.S.
• UCSB has not made any announcements regarding Winter 2021. The campus is working closely with public health officials, agencies and the UC system to monitor the developments of COVID-19 to determine what approach is best for the general health and safety for the campus community.

Yes, absolutely.  Continuing students who still have an active I-20 (meaning you did not withdraw or cancel Spring 2020 or Fall 2020 quarter) can study wherever they want. As long as you maintain 12 units your I-20 will remain active.
If you are under enrolled without permission from OISS, your I-20 will be terminated and you cannot remain in the United States.
 

Your I-20 will remain active as long as you are enrolled in 12 units, it does not matter where you study as long as you meet the minimum 12 unit requirement.  
If you are under-enrolled without permission from OISS, your I-20 will be terminated and you must receive a new I-20 before returning to the US.
 

No, only newly admitted students need an updated I-20.  You will use the same active I-20 you currently hold.

Step 1: Apply for Readmission to UCSB through the Office of the Registrar

Step 2: Once your Readmission has been approved, reach out to OISS to request a new I-20.  You only need to do this step if you want to physically study at UCSB for Fall 2020 and can be enrolled in an in-person course.  If you are going to study from your home country for Fall 2020 you only need to be readmitted by the Registrar’s Office, you do not need an I-20 from OISS.

Even if you are outside the United States for more than 5 months, your visa will remain active.

Your I-20 or DS-2019 will remain active as long as you maintain your enrollment, even if you choose to return home. Pursuing your coursework remotely outside the U.S. is currently being permitted due to these special circumstances.

You may request a travel signature by emailing your completed I-20/DS-2019 request form with travel signature request to oiss@sa.ucsb.edu. An OISS advisor will provide you with an electronically-signed version of your I-20, along with a travel signature, and email it to you. You must print out the electronic document and provide your original wet signature for its valid use. 

Your visa is your ‘ticket’ to enter the U.S. If your visa is expired, you must apply for and receive a new visa in order to seek entry into the U.S., along with a valid I-20 or DS-2019 from UCSB.

Please consult your local U.S. consulate or embassy regarding the availability of student visa appointments.

Current students who are unable to obtain a visa in time for Fall 2020 may need to plan their return for a future quarter.

While OISS does our best to assist students in applying for a visa and entering the United States, please keep in mind that a variety of government agencies are responsible for any decisions as to whether you are allowed to enter or remain in the country.  Some things to consider before deciding to physically study at UC Santa Barbara:

• You may be denied a visa from the consulate or embassy.  Visa issuance is at the discretion of the consular officer and OISS cannot guarantee you will receive a visa.  
• You may be denied entry at the border by Customs and Border Protection which would result in you having to depart directly from the port of entry back to your home country. OISS cannot guarantee entry to the United States for any student, new or continuing.
• The information presented is our best guidance based on the information provided by various government agencies.  We cannot guarantee that at a later time interpretations of your legal presence in the United States will not be scrutinized.  

Yes, all rules and regulations regarding the validity of travel signatures on page 2 of your I-20 remain the same.  For continuing students your travel signature is valid for 1 year. For students on OPT, it is valid for 6 months.

All rules and regulations regarding off-campus work authorization remain the same. Please visit the OISS website for more information about requesting off-campus work authorization.

Yes. If you are eligible to request authorization for CPT, then you may accept an internship position through which job duties will be performed remotely. Please follow the CPT request instructions that can be found on the OISS Forms page.

Yes. Due to COVID-19, campus departments may have arranged to have their student position duties to be performed remotely in order to comply with safety practices. This still counts as on-campus work, and you are allowed to participate. This applies regardless of if you are inside or outside of the U.S.

Yes. If you are a current UCSB student with an active I-20 document, then you must still comply with student employment regulations, even if you are outside of the U.S.

USCIS has stated that as long as this emergency declaration remains in place, students who are currently employed and experienced a reduction in hours below 20 hours per week are considered maintaining OPT status. This does not apply to students who will be hired under 20 hours per week. You must have documentation indicating your hours were reduced to below 20 hours per week. This does not need to be reported to your SEVP portal.

During this COVID-19 emergency, an F student can accrue eligibility for practical training (CPT and OPT), whether inside or outside of the U.S. as long as they meet the requirements to stay in Active status.

The regent’s mandate that students have adequate active health insurance is still in place for all students. UCSB is relaxing some of the waiver requirements for international students (i.e., repatriation, mile radius and some others). Campuses are also extending their waiver deadlines to allow students to reverse waivers for spring term. Students will not be charged for UC SHIP if waivers are reversed in the time allowed.

• UC SHIP has a national service area via Anthem’s nationwide PPO network. Nonetheless, just as for students who are outside of the U.S., UCSB is extending waiver deadlines to allow for reversals. Any domestic insurance used to waive must still meet UC criteria (with possible exceptions for distance).
• UCSB Student Health advises students staying in the U.S. to keep UC SHIP. UC SHIP is comprehensive coverage that provides a better value and more access to providers than what can be purchased through CoveredCA (Platinum level coverage at a Bronze/catastrophic price).  UC SHIP, as a managed PPO, provides the students that would waive with MediCal significantly better access to providers (both in time it takes to get care if you need it and in the number of providers).  Provider access will be of increased importance in the coming months.  It is unclear if students can go back to their parents’ employer plans or enroll in a CoveredCA plan at this time since the normal election period has passed and a change would usually require a qualifying life event to enroll.