COVID-19 Information for International Students

Guide for USI International Students Regarding COVID-19

Page last updated: June 21 2022

Dear students, we want to welcome you to USI from the bottom of our heart! We know this is a period filled with concern and anxiety for both you and your families; mixed with happiness and excitement about the new adventure that awaits you by being part of the USI community as you pursue your education. We created this page to help answer your questions. Please take your time and read through the page as it contains important information based on USI's plans and regulations from the U.S. government. We hope this will provide some comfort and will make you feel supported through your college journey at USI!

USI continues to offer a mix of in-person and online classes for the 2022- 2023 academic year. Stay up to date with university policies on the USI COVID-19 page. 

Visas, immigration and travel

Our office is your primary resource for these questions. The advice we provide one student doesn't always apply to the next student. So you need to contact us if you have questions about your situation instead of following advice from a friend or something you found on social media. 

Please review some common FAQs below. Click the arrow sign for proper next steps related to each questions.

• Can I register for online classes in fall 2022?

  SEVP has confirmed that guidance from the Fall 2020 semester will apply for the 2021-2022 academic year or F-1 students. J-1 students are required to follow guidance issued by the Department of State and cannot enroll in all online classes for the Spring 2022 semester.

  • Undergraduate: If you are in the U.S. on a F-1 visa, you must enroll in 12 credit hours minimum and you are allowed to enroll in more than one online course, but we recommend that you try to enroll is as many in person or hybrid courses as possible.  If you are on a J-1 visa, you cannot enroll in all online courses. If your DS-2019 was issued by another sponsor (not USI), please consult with them regarding your course registration. 
  • Graduate: If you are in the U.S. on a F-1 visa, you must enroll in 6 credit hours minimum and you are allowed to enroll in more than one online course, but we recommend that you try to enroll is as many in person or hybrid courses as possible. If you are on a J-1 visa, you cannot enroll in all online courses. If your DS-2019 was issued by another sponsor (not USI), please consult with them regarding your course registration.
  • Current USI students who have been enrolled outside of the U.S. can continue to remain in the home country and keep their F-1 status valid as long as they maintain a full-time course load. If you plan to travel back to USI for the Spring 2022 semester, keep in mind that all international travelers, must be full vaccinated and must have a negative COVID test no more than 3 days before travel. USI will require that you obtain a COVID test 3-5 days after entering the U.S.
• Do I have to leave the U.S. or Evansville?

  No, you are not required to leave the U.S. or Evansville. In fact, if you stayed in the U.S. after classes transitioned online, you should remain in the U.S. now because of the difficulties you would experience trying to return.

• If I leave the U.S., what documents do I need to take with me?

  If you are a continuing student or scholar currently in the U.S., we recommend remaining in the U.S. now because of the difficulties you would experience trying to return.

  If you leave, you need to take the following:

  • Signed I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students or scholars)
  • Passport
  • Print and keep a copy of your most recent I-94
  • Save evidence of your departure from the U.S. (boarding passes, copies of stamps in your passport)
• What if my visa is expired and I need a new visa?

  Look to be sure that your visa stamp is truly expired. This is the sticker in your passport, given you to by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is only possible to get a new visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S. If you are outside of the U.S., and your visa stamp is expired, you will need to apply for a new visa stamp at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 

  You do not need to leave the U.S. if your visa stamp is expired. The visa stamp in your passport only needs to be valid to seek re-entry to the U.S. If you are in the U.S. and remain in the U.S. with an expired visa stamp, you do not need to take any action to get a new visa. You may do so on a future trip outside of the U.S.

• Can I extend my F-1 or J-1 student status?

  You may have heard that you can file Form I-539 to extend your stay in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student, but that is not true for F-1 and J-1 students at USI. It is always best to contact our office with any questions related to your immigration status instead of relying on information you’ve heard from others.

  Generally speaking, your F-1 or J-1 student status is valid (as long as you follow applicable rules for F-1 students and J-1 students) until the program end date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 (plus the additional time for your grace period, which is 60 days for F-1 students and 30 days for J-1 students). If you need more time to complete your program study, you will need to contact our office for instructions on how to apply for an extension.  If you wish to extend your stay in the U.S. beyond the end of your grace period, you only have a few options and must contact our office to discuss those options.

  At this time, the U.S. government has not provided any additional grace period benefits because of COVID-19. If you are unable to leave the U.S. or extend your stay through employment authorization or further academic study by the end of your grace period, you need to speak to an experienced immigration attorney to discuss your options. An attorney may be able to identify a non-student immigration status that you can apply for. You can find an immigration lawyer through the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Our office cannot assist you with an application to change to a non-student status.

• If I choose to take a semester off, will I be able to travel back to the U.S.?

  Contact our office to discuss taking a semester off. There are multiple things to consider, and we can help you work through that process.

• If I am approved for a reduced course load, can I remain in status by taking online classes?

  If have already been approved for a Reduced Course Load, you are considered to be a full-time student—even if you are enrolled in fewer courses than is typically considered full-time. The update to the academic calendar does not change your approval.  Please remember the Reduced Course Load approval is only valid for a designated period and once the authorization expires, you must enroll in a full-time course load for the following term. 

  If you have concerns about your enrollment, please contact your academic advisor and the CIP.

• If I become ill and am unable to participate in class or attend work, what should I do?

  If you are ill for several days and unable to work (scholars) or participate in online class (students), contact us to discuss the immigration options you have. International students may have an option to withdraw for a medical reason, and we would be able to assist you with that process. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus, you also need to complete the Self-Report Form. 

• I want to return home, but I am having problems making arrangements. What should I do?

  If you are a continuing student currently in the U.S., we recommend remaining in the U.S. now because of the difficulties you would experience trying to return.

  However, if you leave, we suggest you contact your nearest embassy/consulate in the U.S. They may have information to help you find a way back home, even if you cannot find a commercial flight.

• I want to enter the U.S.; what do I need to know?

  For continuing students, the U.S. government has indicated that you can enter the U.S. even if you are enrolled in only online classes.

  For new students, you will need to enroll in at least one class that has an in-person component.

  Review entry restrictions

  The U.S. has entry restrictions if you are traveling from or have visited certain countries in the 14 days prior to your entry to the U.S. Learn more from the CDC. As an F-1 or J-1 student from one of these countries, you may be eligible for a National Interest Exemption.

  The U.S. no longer requires a negative COVID test for entry in the country but you still need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccine.

  USI International Travel Protocols

  Students and Employees should complete an International Travel report form before leaving or returning to the country. For more information, please review the USI COVID Resources Travel page.

  The U.S. government requires all non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. immigrants to be full vaccinated with a FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine, and USI will require all new international students have a COVID-19 test taken 3-5 days after arrival. More details about USI's quarantine requirements can be found on the COVID Resources Travel page.  

  Documents to carry with you

  You will need to carry certain documents with you (i.e., do not put these in checked luggage) when you enter the U.S.

  • Signed I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students or scholars)
  • Passport (valid for at least six months from the date you plan to enter the U.S.)
  • Valid visa stamp
  • Proof of COVID Vaccine

  Additional information for current students or scholars

  You need to submit an I-20 Application form marked for Travel Signature if one of these are true for you:

  • Your most recent travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 is going to be older than 12 months from the date you plan to reenter the U.S. in the same program of study
  • You are an undergraduate student with a new major

  If you are being asked to produce a letter confirming that you are eligible to return to campus in order to secure travel arrangements,  you should complete a Student Letter Request and include any important details about your request in the notes section. 

• Do I need to quarantine if I arrive in Evansville?

  Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. immigrants must be fully vaccinated in order to enter the U.S. You do not need to quarantine unless you experience any symptoms.

  Scholars should work with their department and CIP to discuss arrival timing.

  Stay home except to get medical care

  • Monitor yourself for symptoms.
  • If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • Maintain at least a 6-foot distance from others in the household.
  • Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
  • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils.
  • Wear a mask when around other people.

  How to monitor your health after arriving:

  Regardless of vaccine status, if you experience any COVID symptoms after arriving to USI, make sure you follow these steps carefully:

  • Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day. Use this temperature log to record the readings.
  • Watch for cough, trouble breathing, and other COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If you develop any symptoms, contact USI's University Health Center for a virtual screening immediately.
• I can't return to Evansville because of travel or visa issues; what should I do?

  If you are a continuing student and you are unable to return to Evansville, USI will help you continue your degree online to the greatest extent possible—some exceptions may include courses with clinical or laboratory components.

  In all cases, you should work with your academic unit for guidance on how to continue making progress toward your degree.

• I was a USI student in Spring 2022 and am beginning a new program at USI in Fall 2022. What do I need to know?

  If you are in F-1 status and have been enrolled in a full-time course load while outside of the U.S., have maintained your F-1 status and will begin a new program of study in Fall 2022, you can only return to the U.S. to begin your new program of study only if you will enroll in hybrid or in-person courses.  

  If you have been in the U.S. enrolled in a full-time course load, have maintained your status and will begin a new program of study in Fall 2022, you can enroll in all online courses.  However, we still recommend that you enroll in as many hybrid or in-person courses as possible.

Housing and dining

• I live in USI housing; what do I need to know?

  Housing and Residence Life has the information you need about petitioning to stay in USI housing, moving in, moving out, storing items, etc.

• Do I have to break my lease in my non-USI housing?

  No, you are not required to leave the U.S. or Evansville and thus, are not required to break your lease with a non-USI housing provider.

• Will I be able to eat on campus?

  Yes. Sodexo, the University’s food service provider, is taking a cautious, measured approach to give you the flexibility to choose the dining options that make you feel most comfortable.   

  See Sodexo’s phased dining approach.

  To sign up for, change or cancel your dining plan, please email foodmealplans@usi.edu. Emails must come from your USI email address. For additional questions regarding dining plans, please visit usi.sodexomyway.com.   

  View all 2022-23 USI Dining Plans 

Academics and classroom

• I can't travel back to Evansville in time for classes, what should I do?

  USI will help you continue your degree online to the greatest extent possible—some exceptions may include courses with clinical or laboratory components.

  In all cases, you should work with your academic unit for guidance on how to continue making progress toward your degree.

• Can USI provide a VPN?

  A VPN is only needed for certain courses. If you are in a course requiring VPN, email it@usi.edu. 

• Will in person classes be too crowded for social distancing?

  University is back to normal for the 2022-2023 academic year. Visit the USI COVID-19 page for more information.

• If I am not coming to campus, how do I get my books?

  The USI Campus Store is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday. Online textbook ordering for the Fall 2022 Semester is open.  

  Learn more about Archie's Bundle on USI's website.

Health & safety changes for 2021-2022 Academic Year

• Are masks required in class?

  While on the USI campus or University-owned and -operated facilities, students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors and visitors are not required to wear face coverings when in buildings, including in classrooms, hallways, lounges, restrooms and all other spaces unless they choose to wear a mask. This may change if number of COVID cases begin to be on the rise on campus.

• Will there be health screening?

  Self-Monitoring 

  Prior to and after your return to campus, it is important that you self-monitor and check daily for symptoms of COVID-19. This is an important way we can all help keep our campus safe. If you are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, do not come to campus and see the section below about self-reporting. 

  A full list of COVID-19 symptoms can be found on the CDC website. 

  Self-Reporting 

  If you exhibit symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, or exhibits symptoms of, COVID-19, you are required to fill out the Self-Report Form, remain off campus and contact the University Health Center at 812-465-1250 or your primary care physician for advice. Self-reporting helps the University understand who has been exposed and also to implement contact tracing to protect others who might have been exposed.  

• Will I have health insurance that covers COVID-19 testing?

  USI requires all international students to have health insurance. You will automatically be enrolled in the Lewer Mark insurance which will be billed to your university account. Your coverage includes COVID-19 testing as well as a telehealth option. For more information, contact us at intlprog@usi.edu.