On December 10, 2020, the Chancellor announced that the Spring 2021 semester will start remotely and that at this time in-person classes are expected to resume on February 15, 2021. ISSS wants to assure our international students that this shift will not impact their immigration status. Our international students currently in F-1 and J-1 immigration status will still be able to maintain their immigration status as CU Boulder begins the spring 2021 term with fully online learning. Because the Spring 2021 semester will have in-person instruction for a portion of the term, both continuing and new international students will be able to maintain their immigration status as long as they maintain full-time enrollment (or the authorized equivalent) for the duration of the Spring 2021 term.
Normally, there is an expectation that continuing international students in F-1 status arrive by the start of semester. However, due to the COVID-19 crisis and the announcement from CU Boulder on 12/10/2020, international students in F-1 status should use their best judgment and exercise caution when making their travel arrangements. CU Boulder asks that all students with the flexibility to remain in their permanent-home communities to delay travel to Boulder until CU returns to in-person instruction. It is important to always have the required travel documents when requesting admission to the U.S. It is important to remember that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) makes entry determinations at the U.S. port of entry (POE). Each port of entry is different, and students report having different experiences entering the United States. ISSS can never guarantee that a student will not have any issues at the POE.
In addition, on December 9, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that schools and students in F-1 status should continue to follow the Fall 2020 SEVP guidance for the Spring 2021 semester. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to ISSS.
Please stay safe and healthy.