Immigration Updates

SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online courses during fall 2020 semester

UPDATE July 24, 2020: We want to support your continued academic success and value you as a member of the WKU community. We understand that many overlapping responses to COVID-19 may be confusing-it is to us as well. For fall 2020, WKU plans to offer online, hybrid or hyFlex, and face-to-face course formats.

If you plan to be in the U.S.:

F-1 students must be enrolled full-time (12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates)
F-1 students must take at least one hybrid, hyFlex or face-to-face course; we recommend two or more.
We advise all current F-1 students who will remain in the U.S. or plan to travel to the U.S. to adjust their fall 2020 schedules as soon as possible.

If you plan to be outside the U.S.:

Full-time enrollment in online courses is an option.
We advise you to communicate with your academic adviser as soon as possible to request the online courses.
SEVP is currently allowing F-1 students to keep their Form I-20 active while taking online courses from outside the U.S. You must be enrolled full-time to keep your record active.

Mandatory Action:

As part of the new guidance, we must verify your plans for fall 2020 enrollment and issue new Form I-20s to all students remaining outside the U.S. for the fall 2020 term. You must complete the survey that was attached to our most recent email communication by Monday, August 3, 2020.

If you did not receive a travel signature on your Form I-20 before you left the U.S., please submit the Travel Request form in iStart (istart.wku.edu) before you travel.

Continue to monitor your email as we will continue to provide updates regarding the Fall 2020 term. Please send any questions you have about travel to the U.S., fall enrollment, your immigration status and more to isss@wku.edu.

Please find the situation that applies to you to determine how you should proceed:

I'm a currently in the U.S. and I will stay for the fall 2020 semester.

You are required to be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduates) with at least 1 class on-campus regardless of the credit number. We recommend more than one. On-campus classes may be in lecture or hybrid formats.

I'm currently in the U.S., but I plan on leaving the country and enroll in online courses from outside the U.S. for fall 2020.

You will need to request a Leave of Absence (LOA) in iStart (istart.wku.edu). The LOA request is for tracking purposes only. Your SEVIS record (Form I-20) will remain active as long as you are enrolled full-time (12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates).

You will not be required to enroll in health insurance at WKU if you are outside the U.S., so please check your student account for health insurance enrollment and notify our office if you see any errors.

I am currently outside of the U.S. and I plan on coming back to WKU for the fall 2020 semester.

You must plan to return to the U.S. by August 11, 2020 to follow guidelines for a 14-day quarantine period before beginning your fall 2020 classes on campus. You are required to be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduates) with at least 1 class on-campus regardless of the credit number. We recommend more than one. On-campus classes may be in lecture or hybrid formats.

You must have a valid I-20 with a travel signature, valid passport and valid visa in order to request entry to the U.S. If you did not request a travel signature before you left the United States, submit a Travel Request in iStart (istart.wku.edu) before you plan to travel

Travel restrictions are changing frequently and it is important to stay up-to-date on the list of countries whose citizens may face difficulties entering the United States. Please see theCDC's website on travelers prohibited from entry into the United States for the most current guidance. Before making any travel plans, you should confirm that neither United States nor any transit countries have put in place restrictions that could affect your itinerary.

I am currently outside the U.S. and I plan to enroll in online courses for the fall 2020 term.

I am currently outside the U.S. and will not enroll for fall 2020 semester.

You will need to request a Leave of Absence (LOA) in iStart (istart.wku.edu). Your I-20 will be terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal, which is a positive reason. This means that you will have to stay out of the U.S. for the entire fall semester and you will need to work with our office to reactivate your I-20 record to return to the U.S. The earliest you will be able to return for the spring 2021 term will be December 12, 2020.

Please contact us as you make your decisions, we want to support your continued academic success and value you as a member of the WKU community.

Information and Resources Regarding Executive Order on Immigration

On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order suspending entry into the United States of immigrants and nonimmigrants from seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for the next 90 days. We have created this page to provide you information and resources on how this affects WKU students, faculty, and staff.

March 6, 2017-Letter to Affected Students and Scholars
Jan. 30, 2017-President's Statement
Jan. 28, 2017-Letter to Affected Students and Scholars

UPDATES:

6/26/2018: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the third version of President Trump’s travel ban. SEE MORE

Text of the Executive Order 13780

6/30/17: As of the 29th of June 2017 The US Supreme Court now allows parts of the Executive Order 13780 (EO) to be enforced, which will block some people who are citizens of certain countries (listed below) from being able to enter the U.S. for 90 days. However, it is our understanding that most students (F-1 or J-1), even from the listed countries, will not be directly affected by this order. The Supreme Court clarifies that people who have evidence of a genuine relationship with “a person or entity in the United States” are not subject to the Executive Order’s restriction. Students who have submitted a normal application for international student admission and have been admitted to a university will receive an admission letter and a form I-20 (F-1) or DS2019 (J-1). These documents should serve as evidence of having a “bona fide” relationship with a U.S. entity.

3/15/17: The U.S. District Court in Hawaii issued a nationwide temporary restraining order, preventing the Government from enforcing the latest executive order restricting travel and visa issuance for citizens of six countries. For more information and updates click here

3/6/17: As anticipated, a new executive order was signed today affecting travel and visa issuance for six of the seven countries impacted by the original travel ban. For more information click here

3/3/17: USCIS announced that they will temporarily halt premium processing for H-1B applications

2/23/17: News sources now report that the Trump administration may wait until next week to issue a revised executive order. Since the temporary restraining order remains in place, the “travel ban” imposed by Executive Order 13769 is not currently in effect. We do not yet know what this revised Executive Order will say or when it will go into effect.

2/17/17: At this time, the temporary restraining order is still in place, so the “travel ban” imposed by Executive Order 13769 is not currently in effect. However, based on information the government provided to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, a new Executive Order, which will supersede Executive Order 13769, will be issued soon, probably sometime next week. We do not yet know what this new Executive Order will say or when it will go into effect.

2/10/17: Appeals Court Keeps Temporary Restraining Order in Place

2/6/17: Temporary Restraining Order Stops Enforcement of Some Key Executive Order Provisions

2/6/17: The Temporary Restraining Order does not affect the new requirement for in-person interviews for all visa applicants. You should continue to plan for increased visa wait times.

2/3/17: USCIS confirmed that it would continue to process most applications and petitions, including those from nationals of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Examples of applications include USCIS Form I-765 -Application For Employment Authorization (Optional Practical Training).

Travel Advisory