If you would like to leave the U.S., then ISSS recommends you consider making plans to leave soon, as future travel restrictions and a limited number of flights could impede your ability to travel internationally and/or within the U.S. You will need to carefully consult both the airline and the travel restrictions for the countries which you will be transiting through or returning to. Travel restrictions may change at a moment’s notice.Ìý
F-1 StudentÌý
ISSS received guidance from the federal government on March 18, 2020 advising us that given the unique situation with the COVID-19 outbreak, international students will be able to maintain their F-1 status while pursuing a full course load via distance learning from outside of the U.S. during the 2020 spring and summer term even if they are outside of the U.S. more than 5 months. Given the extraordinary nature of the COVID-19 emergency, international students in F-1 status will not be subject to the five-month out of country rule and will be maintaining status as long as they are making normal progress in their course of study, even if their absence from the U.S. is for more than 5 months.
For more information about taking distance learning courses during the fall 2020 term, please see theÌýTemporary Exemptions for Fall 2020 for International Students in F-1 Status Taking Online Courses.
Please also note that if you are a graduate student, you should contact the ³Ü²Ô¾±±¹±ð°ù²õ¾±³Ù²â’sÌýExport Control OfficeÌýto make sure that there are not any export control limitations with you engaging in research and/or teaching from outside of the U.S.
J-1 StudentÌý
Per guidance from the U.S. Department of State, any international student or scholar with a J-1 visa is permitted to leave the U.S. and continue their studies or research program objectives remotely during their absence from the U.S. Your J-1 record will remain active and open in SEVIS. Please see the J-1 Students & Scholars: International Travel Information article for more information. Note that if you are a graduate student, you should contact the ³Ü²Ô¾±±¹±ð°ù²õ¾±³Ù²â’s Export Control Office to make sure that there are not any export control issues limitations with you engaging in research and/or teaching from outside of the U.S.Ìý
J-1 ScholarÌý
Per guidance from the U.S. Department of State, any international student or scholar with a J-1 visa is permitted to leave the U.S. and continue their studies or research program objectives during their absence from the U.S. Your J-1 record will remain active and open in SEVIS. Please see the J-1 Students & Scholars: International Travel Information article in this edition of the ISSS News for more information.  Note that you should contact the ³Ü²Ô¾±±¹±ð°ù²õ¾±³Ù²â’s Export Control Office to make sure that there are not any export control limitations with you engaging in research and/or teaching from outside of the U.S.
H-1B ScholarÌý
H-1B scholars will maintain their status even if they are working at a remote home location due to the COVID-19 outbreak.ÌýH-1B scholars unable to work because of childcare issues or inability to work remotely will maintain their H-1B status because the university is providing administrative leave to those persons.Ìý
If you choose to leave the U.S. please discuss with your hiring department if there are any Export Control issues and working for CU while abroad. ISSS cannot advise on the export control process. We recommend that you contact the Export Control office about export control restrictions that may apply to work undertaken by an H-1B employee while abroad. Please see the CU Boulder H-1B Employees: International Travel Information article for more information.
It is also important to note that any H-1B employee who is outside of the U.S. is not required, from an U.S. immigration perspective, to remain on payroll. Any H-1B employees or their hiring departments with questions about this should contact ISSS.
Resources:Ìý
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Ìý
- Ìý
- Association of International Educators (NAFSA):
- Department of Homeland Security: Ìý
- Ìý
- (Department of State)
- (CDC)