You are not alone!
The International Student Program (ISP) remains committed to assisting our international students in the US and overseas! Please visit our Appointment and Drop-In page for information on how to schedule in-person and virtual appointments and drop-ins at the International Student Program office.
EMERGENCY LINE
For emergencies or after hour emergencies,
please call 949-451-5693.
Effective January 5, 2023 at 12:01 ET all persons traveling to the US from flights originating from China, Macau or Hong Kong must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 2 days of your flight departure date. This requirements applies to all persons regardless of nationality.
Please visit “CDC Announces Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement from Air Passengers Entering the US from the People’s Republic of China” for specific details – including a list of accepted COVID-19 tests.
Please plan accordingly for any travel to the US for spring 2023.
Effective June 12, 2022: Pre-departure Testing Requirements for International Travelers to the US no longer required
Per the US State Department: The CDC order from December 2, 2021, requiring persons aged two and above to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded, effective June 12, 2022, at 12:01AM ET. This means that starting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the United States regardless of vaccination status or citizenship.
Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers on CDC’s website.
Effective November 8, 2021 at 12:01 am (EST): All non-immigrant travelers to the US will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane bound for the US. The Presidential Proclamation Advancing Safe Resumption of Global Travel ends previous country-specific travel bans and implements a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all non-immigrant travelers regardless of country of origin.
Full details about this requirement can be found at the CDC and Department of State websites.
Accepted COVID-19 Vaccines:
Only FDA and World Health Organization (WHO) approved or authorized emergency use vaccinations will be accepted. You can find a list of approved COVID-19 vaccinations at the CDC Travel Vaccination Requirements page.
Information about what constitutes "fully vaccinated" can be found at the CDC website.
Limited Exceptions for COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement to Enter the US:
There are a very limited set of exceptions from the vaccination for non-immigrants. These include exceptions for children under 18 and those traveling on a visa other than "B" visa from countries with low vaccine availability (as determined by the CDC). Please see CDC Limited COVID-19 Country List for a list of countries meeting this requirement.
Other exceptions may include certain COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, those with medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination, humanitarian or emergency exception with accompanying government letter.
Land & Ferry Entry from Canada and Mexico:
The Presidential Proclamation of October 25, 2021 only applies to air travel. Travel restrictions from Canada and Mexico are currently in effect until January 21, 2022. Travel for F-1 visa students IS allowed as this is considered "essential travel".
On October 10, 2021 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that effective January 2022 all travelers entering from Canada and Mexico will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. More details should be announced.
- For COVID-19 Vaccination information including locations: COVID-19 Vaccine
- For COVID-19 Testing information: COVID-19 Testing & Resources
The Department of State continues to implement a phased resumption of visa services. Visit your local US embassy or consulate website to find information about availability of visa appointments and/or emergency services. Visit the US Department of State’s COVID-19 Country Specific Information for details related to consular services in countries; students are also advised to contact the local consulate/embassy directly to ensure timely information.
For the most up-to-date information related to IVC's regulations regarding COVID-19 safety protocols including any mask and vaccination requirements, please visit COVID-19 Updates and Resources.
IVC will continue to update students via email. Students are encouraged to check their "@ivc.edu" email to receive important updates from IVC and the International Student Program.
F-1 Visa COVID-19 Enrollment Requirements for 2022-2023 Academic Year:
Update 5/31/22: On 5/31/22, the US Department of Homeland Security sent a clarification of their COVID 2022-2023 guidance which indicates that on-line enrollment flexibility ONLY applies to F-1 students who were in the US on or before March 9, 2020 and maintained continuous status. All other F-1 visa students must enroll in courses based on existing Federal Regulations which require enrollment in at least 9 units of in-person or hybrid courses in the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 units of the 12-unit enrollment requirement can be fully on-line. For specific information, please review: US ICE 5/31/22 Broadcast Message
Enrollment Scenarios Under the 5/31/22 DHS Clarification:
New F-1 visa students: Enroll in 12 units for the fall/spring semester. 9 units must be in-person or hybrid classes. Only 3 units of fully on-line coursework can count towards the 12-unit enrollment requirement.
Continuing F-1 visa students who entered the United States AFTER March 9, 2020: Continuing F-1 visa students who entered the United States AFTER March 9, 2020 must enroll in 12 units for the fall/spring semester. 9 units must be in-person or hybrid classes. Only 3 units of fully on-line coursework can count towards the 12-unit enrollment requirement.
Continuing F-1 visa students in the United States BEFORE March 9, 2020: Continuing F-1 visa students who entered the United States BEFORE March 9, 2020 AND maintained status throughout their studies must enroll in 12 units for the fall/spring semester, but have continued flexibility of enrollment in on-line courses through the 2022-2023 school year.
For more information about ICE COVID-19 policies for F-1 visa students, please see: US ICE Guidance on COVID-19