Dear Student,

Based on the information from July 24, 2020, SEVP issued a Clarifying Questions for Fall 2020 Based on March 9 Spring Guidance Broadcast, here is the summarized information regarding fall 2020 enrollment.

• F-1 transfer students who are in the U.S.

You can choose to take any courses to fulfill your full course load requirement, as long as you are making normal academic progress in your degree program. At this time, all of your courses may be fully online.

• F-1 transfer students who are currently outside the U.S. and plan to re-enter the U.S.

Although you can also choose to take fully online courses if your SEVIS record was active on March 9, 2020 and you have received the "transfer pending" I-20, the U.S. Custom and Board Protection official will determine the eligibility for the entry to the U.S. If you need to apply for a VISA renewal, the U.S. Consulate official may require proof of face-to-face enrollment prior to issuing a new F-1 Visa. If you plan to apply for a new VISA in this situation, please inform UH Admissions or Graduate School regarding your upcoming VISA appointment.

• F-1 transfer students who are planning to stay outside the U.S.

If you wish to study remotely outside the U.S. for the fall 2020 semester, your SEVIS I-20 will not be activated in SEVIS for the fall. Please contact UH Admissions or Graduate School regarding the next steps and what you need to do to have a valid I-20 for spring 2021. You will not be eligible on or off campus employment for fall 2020.

• New students who need to apply for a new F-1 VISA to enter the U.S. for the fall 2020 semester

If you have a VISA appointment for fall 2020, please contact UH Admissions or Graduate School to make sure that you have all you need for the Visa appointment. You will be required to have a face-to-face course as part of your full-time enrollment to be eligible to enter the U.S.

• New students who plan to study outside the U.S. for the fall 2020 semester

Your I-20 will be deferred to spring 2021 so you can apply for the F-1 VISA in the next semester. You will not be eligible for any on or off campus employment for fall 2020.

*Any students who are in Iran, Syria or the Crimea region must contact ISSSO if you plan to take online courses outside of the U.S.

There is also additional information provided through their FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19,

**Students traveling from international destinations to the University of Houston must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival per the CDC Guidelines for international travelers and University protocol. For those students arriving from international destinations and who have confirmed contracts with Student Housing and Residential Life to reside on campus, please contact the Housing Office at housing@uh.edu or by office phone is 713-743-6000 to arrange for a space for your self-quarantine. For those students arriving from international destinations who are living off campus, you will be responsible for providing your own self-quarantine accommodations.