Health and Travel Alert

Message from ISSO Director Regarding Students' Visa Status

March 13, 2020

TO:        Columbia University International Students
FROM:  Dr. David B. Austell, Associate Provost and Director, ISSO
RE:        Maintaining Student Visa Status
DATE:   March 13, 2020
 
Dear International Students at Columbia University:
 
I am writing to you regarding the maintenance of your student visa status and OPT in light of COVID-19 and the University’s decision to move to online classes.
 
ISSO has received guidance from the government that they intend to be flexible with temporary adaptations to classes.
 
For the Spring semester, while you continue to make normal progress in a full course of study as required by federal regulations, you will be able to maintain F-1 and J-1 visa status through your online coursework.  Information regarding the general requirement of maintaining full-time status can be found here:  https://isso.columbia.edu/content/guidelines-maintaining-status-students  

While graduate students are not being encouraged to leave campus, the move to online classes means that they do not need to remain on campus to complete their coursework. It is important that you consider whether you will be able to fulfill your academic responsibilities wherever you intend to go, and whether your living conditions in your destination will allow social distancing and present less risk of community transmission than if you stay on campus.

For international students planning to apply for post-OPT, please keep in mind that you need to be in the US at the time of application.  Information regarding application for post-OPT can be found at:  Post completion OPT

Please see additional information on the ISSO website: https://isso.columbia.edu/
 
Please also remember that we are in a dynamic environment because of COVID-19.  The University and ISSO will keep our international community apprised as things change.  If you have further questions or concerns, please contact:

ISSO - Morningside:  Samantha Lu, Associate Director for International Student Services, at [email protected]    
ISSO- Medical campus (CUIMC):  Gwyneth Smith, Associate Director, at [email protected] .
 
Kind regards,
 
David.
 
David B. Austell, Ph.D.
Associate Provost and Director
Columbia University International Students and Scholars Office, and
Associate Professor of International Education (adjunct), Teachers College
Columbia University
524 Riverside Drive, International House North
New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 854-6263
iPhone (24/7):  (917) 833-9635
Email:   [email protected]
Please visit the ISSO Website https://isso.columbia.edu/