These FAQs are based on existing July 27 SEVP guidance. Updated federal guidance for spring semester is forthcoming and will be announced as soon as they are released:
Q: Do I need to maintain UMass insurance coverage?
A: Typically, only U.S.-based plans can be used to waive the SHBP. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, if you are studying remotely in your home country, you can waive the SHBP with your international plan or by attesting to socialized medicine if your home country does not require you to have insurance. If the waiver meets the UMass requirements, the insurance fee will be removed from the tuition bill. See the University Health Services (UHS) Health Insurance Information for International Students guide for details.
For all other international students who are physically located inside the US, the State of Massachusetts does NOT allow students to use insurance from non-U.S. insurance companies. Full-time students will be automatically enrolled in the insurance plan at UMass in order to meet the State’s insurance requirements.
Q: If I am outside the US and studying remotely do I need to maintain UMass insurance coverage?
A: Until further notice, due to COVID-19 restrictions international students studying remotely or on-line outside of the United States can waive the UMass SHBP insurance by certifying that they have comparable insurance that provides coverage in that location. If the waiver meets the UMass requirements, the insurance fee will be removed from the tuition bill. Please Contact UHS for further waiver information.
For all other international students who are physically located inside the US, the State of Massachusetts does NOT allow students to use insurance from non-U.S. insurance companies. Full-time students will be automatically enrolled in the insurance plan at UMass in order to meet the State’s insurance requirements.
Q: Do I need an updated I-20 or any special remarks in my SEVIS record?
A: No. The July 24 fall SEVP guidance confirmed that no additional remarks are necessary in a student’s SEVIS record or on their I-20 form. For new students intending to come to campus for spring semester please ensure that your I-20 form has a February 1. 2021 program starting date. Related I-20 questions can be addressed to visarequest[at]umass[dot]edu (undergraduate students) or gradvisarequest[at]umass[dot]edu (graduate students)
Q: Do I need a letter that confirms that UMass Amherst is a hybrid instructional model and provides some in-person (“face-to-face”) courses for new F-1 students?
A: Officially, no, this is not a requirement for either the visa application process at a US consulate, or upon arrival at a US port of entry. However, as a courtesy the IPO has prepared the following letter which can be printed and used for your convenience.
Q: As a new F-1 student, will I need an in-person (“face-to-face”) course for spring semester?
A: Official updated SEVP federal spring 2021 guidance is still pending, however, UMass is planning for spring semester 2021 with the assumption that there will be a continued in-person course requirement for all new F-1 students (new J-1 students are currently exempt from this requirement). Additional information will be provided on this page once updated guidance is known. Please note that as we did in fall semester, UMass will provide in-person coursework for spring semester should it be required and will assist you with registration as necessary. Please see our January 2021 updates page with further questions.
Q: I am a new international student currently here at UMass this fall semester. Will I also need to enroll for an in-person (“face-to-face”) course for spring semester since I already have such a course this fall?
A: See the same answer above. Based on what the IPO has heard from our sources, it should be assumed that new F-1 students in fall semester will need to enroll in additional in-person (“face-to-face”) coursework in spring semester. This will be confirmed once the official spring SEVP guidance is released.
Q: As a new student, how will I be able to register for in-person coursework if I intend to come to Amherst this fall?
A: Additional information will be forthcoming, but if you need an in-person course to satisfy F-1 regulations, UMass will provide you with such an opportunity in order to satisfy SEVP guidance for new F-1 students.
Q: I began my studies remotely from my home country in fall semester. Will I need to enroll in in-person (“face-to-face”) coursework if I come to campus this spring?
A: Yes. Even though you began studies remotely in the fall, for F-1 immigration purposes you will be considered a new (“initial”) student upon arrival to the US for the first time, therefore you will be required to enroll in in-person (“face-to-face”) coursework in the spring semester.
Q: How many in-person classes or credits are required for new F-1 students?
A: Based on current federal SEVP guidance there is no specified amount of in-person coursework in the updated SEVP guidance. There is no minimum amount of in-person academic coursework based on the guidance.
Q: Can I begin online remote classes for spring semester if I have not yet obtained an F-1 visa?
A: Yes. You do not need an F-1 visa to begin your online remote studies if you are outside of the U.S. and do not intend to arrive in the U.S. this spring semester.
Q: I have a J-1 student visa. Are there any changes to my status?
A: J-1 student visas were not affected by the recent SEVP guidance. In the absence of any updated federal SEVP guidance for spring semester, there have been no changes to existing J-1 visa regulations or policies.
Q: My arrival to campus may be delayed because of my visa appointment and/or international flight complications. What is the latest that I can arrive on campus this spring?
A: For new students, it is not recommended that you come to campus any later than the add/drop deadline of Friday, February, 12, 2021. For continuing students, please be in contact with your academic advisor, keeping in mind mandatory quarantine requirements.
Q: As a new or returning international student, do I need to quarantine when I come to campus?
A: Yes. Please see the University's Spring 2021 page for more information. Additional campus operations information can be found on the UMass Spring 2021 website.
Q: Can I use my electronically transmitted (e-mailed) I-20 form for my F-1 visa application?
A: Yes, the US immigration service guidance continues to permit the use of electronically transmitted I-20 forms for US visa appointments and for entry into the US at a US airport or border. Please print your I-20 form with a color copier for your US consular appointment and travel to the US and sign and date at the bottom of the I-20 form.
Q: How do I schedule a US consular appointment to obtain my student visa?
A: US consulates continue to gradually re-open worldwide and have resumed visa interviews, though many consulates are operating on a limited schedule. Each US consulate in each international city is different. Please continue to monitor your local US consulate’s website for the latest scheduling information.
Q: What if I can’t arrive in January 2021? Will I need a new I-20 or DS-2019 form from the IPO?
A: Yes, if you will begin or continue your spring semester studies remotely online and won’t be able to join us in person in January 2021, please confirm your details with either visarequest[at]umass[dot]edu for undergraduates, or gradvisarequest[at]umass[dot]edu for graduate students. We will gladly be able to provide you with an amended I-20 accordingly, though this is not immediately urgent. Please also be in contact with your academic advisor or Graduate Program Director to update them of your plans.
Q: Can I matriculate at UMass and begin my academic courses online from my home country, or any other country outside the US, without an F-1 or J-1 student visa?
A: Yes. Obtaining a student visa is not necessary to begin your studies remotely online. You will only need a student visa to enter the US to attend classes physically in-person in the US.
Q: What if I already have a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa from my US high school or US undergraduate studies?
A: If you have followed the SEVIS transfer procedures with the IPO as instructed, you will be able to enter the US with your new UMass I-20 or DS-2019 form and your existing F-1 or J-1 visa.
Q: Now that on-campus fall semester operations will conclude in late November around the Thanksgiving holiday, will I be able to stay on-campus between November and the start of spring semester in January 2021?
A: Please see the Living at UMass website.
Q: How early can I enter the US if I have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp?
A. You may arrive no earlier than 30-days from the program starting date indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.
Q: How can I arrange a flight to the US?
A: Please follow the advice and updates of your airline or travel agent and other local travel advisories. Until further notice, there continues to be a ban on all international arrivals from anyone who has been in China or Brazil for the past 14-days. F-1 students coming from the European Union/Schengen Area are exempt from the existing travel ban as F-1 student travel to the US is considered “essential.” International airline operations continue to be severely disrupted because of COVID-19 and international flights schedules are very much subject to change. Please continue to check directly with your airline or travel agent as this information is very much subject to change.
Q: I am a Mexican or Canadian student. Can I enter the US through a land border crossing?
A: Yes. If a Mexican citizen has a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa, you may enter the US either at a US border crossing or at a US airport. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt and do not need an F-1 visa stamp, only a valid I-20 form issued by the IPO. Educational purposes are considered “essential” travel during the temporary US land border closure with Mexico and Canada. There are no restrictions for Mexican or Canadian travelers to the US by air.
Q: What documents do I need to enter the US?
A: To enter the US in F-1 or J-1 student immigration status you will need a valid passport, a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa stamp issued by a US consulate and an I-20 form (F-1) or DS-2019 form (J-1) form. Canadian citizens are exempt from visa requirements but will need an I-20 or DS-2019 form to enter the US. You cannot enter the US in B-2 visitor/tourist status and begin academic studies, without exception.
Q: As an undergraduate, if I have obtained a student visa and I will be able to arrive in-person for spring semester, when can I move into my residence hall?
A: Complete on-campus move in information and instructions are located here.
Q: What will international student orientation (ISO) look like and what are my obligations to attend?
A: The IPO is working on providing a meaningful and comprehensive international student orientation (ISO) program for spring semester. Further detailed information will be provided to you directly from the IPO in the weeks ahead. Please continue to monitor our Arrivals and Orientation website for further information.
Q: How will recent Federal Presidential Executive Orders regarding immigration affect me as an international student?
A: We have additional resources on these matters on our IPO homepage.