The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) continues to work to provide guidance to SEVP stakeholders related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19 continue to be regularly updated. The following sections in the FAQs were recently updated:

• Employment
• Travel
• Form I-515A (new section)
• M Students (new section)
• Reporting School Changes
• School Policies (new section)

A few of the new questions recently added include:

Should DSOs with students on OPT update the students’ employer addresses in SEVIS with their remote work address? For students participating in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics extension (STEM) extension, do their Forms I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students,” need to be updated with their remote work address?

No. DSOs should not update the employer address information in SEVIS nor on the Form I-983 for students working remotely.

What should students do if they need to return home within 60 days after completing their program of study, but their travel plans are complicated by a lack of commercially available flights or their country currently prohibits all inbound travel?

SEVP recognizes that some students may find it difficult to return home during the COVID-19 emergency because of diminished travel options. Students in this situation are encouraged to communicate with their DSO for guidance and to assess options for alternative study arrangements such as online classes during this time. 

DSOs should document in the student’s record any material information related to a student’s inability to leave the country due to COVID-19.

Do schools that currently have no F or M students enrolled need to send procedural change documents to SEVP?

No, only schools with F or M students currently enrolled need to submit procedural change documents to SEVP.       

Please visit the ICE.gov COVID-19 page for up-to-date guidance from SEVP and to access the full time-stamped FAQs document.