On July 6, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Student and Exchange Visitor Program (USCIS/SEVP) released new guidelines for international student enrollment in the fall 2020 semester. This “Temporary Final Rule” describes (in paraphrase) the following three options.

All in-person course delivery

• Continuing international students are permitted to remain enrolled at institutions delivering all instruction in-person; students at such schools must follow normal enrollment regulations (i.e., no more than one online course can be counted toward full-time).
• New international students may apply for visas (if consular services are available) to enter the U.S. as nonimmigrant students and may engage in full-time, in-person programs.

All online course delivery

• Continuing international students are permitted to remain enrolled at institutions delivering all instruction online but must depart the United States to engage in such programs.
• New international students are not eligible to apply for visas to enter the U.S. as students and may not engage in full-time, online programs.

Hybrid course delivery 

• Continuing international students are permitted to remain enrolled at institutions delivering instruction in a combination of in-person and online delivery methods (hybrid scenario); students at such schools must enroll for a full-time program of study combining in-person and online instruction and take the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.
• New international students are eligible to apply for visas (if consulate services are available) to enter the U.S. as nonimmigrant students to enroll at institutions delivering instruction in a combination (hybrid) of in-person and online delivery methods; students at such schools must enroll for a full-time program of study combining in-person and online instruction and taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.

On June 2, 2020, Temple University President Richard M. Englert stated that Temple University will be open for in-person course delivery in fall 2020, adding, “It is our intention for learning to be blended this fall, with classes being taught both in person and virtually.” Based on this announcement and on current university planning, International Affairs has determined that Temple’s international students fall under the “hybrid course delivery” option presented by USCIS/SEVP. That is, Temple’s continuing international students are permitted to remain in the U.S. as long as they enroll at Temple in a combination of at least one in-person class and online delivery methods (hybrid scenario) and take the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.

In addition, based on President Englert’s announcement and current university planning, International Affairs has determined that international students admitted to Temple for the fall 2020 semester are eligible to apply for visas (if consulate services are available) to enter the U.S. as nonimmigrant students to enroll at Temple in a combination of at least one in-person class and online delivery methods (hybrid scenario) and take the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.

Again, the USCIS/SEVP guidance issued on July 6, 2020, is a “Temporary Final Rule,” and additional information is expected from USCIS/SEVP as we approach the beginning of the fall 2020 semester. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.