COVID-19 Updates & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We are currently accepting all requests, but are prioritizing requests that are time-sensitive (i.e., OPT, STEM OPT Extensions, extensions of I-20s, or other requests requiring immediate action). Due to high volume and limited resources, processing times have increased. ISS is unable to respond to inquiries about the status of the below listed services/requested received. Please plan ahead by submitting requests well in advance as we are unable to accommodate rush requests. Please do not send multiple emails or submissions for the same request, or sign up for virtual appointments to check on status of requests. This only adds to our volume and further delays processing of email/request.

Processing times listed below are subject to change without notice, especially during peak request periods.
Requests/emails that are either incomplete or requiring additional follow-up will further extend processing times.

*Business days are Mondays through Fridays, except CSUF holidays. Processing of requests and emails received after business hours begin on next business day. In other words, if you submit your request/email after 5:00 PM (California Time) on a Friday, then processing will count and begin on the following Monday.

SEVP (Student & Exchange Visitor Program), Department of State and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) accept digitally signed, electronic copies of the Form I-20. However, the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) may require a wet signed Form I-20. If you need to submit an application to the DMV, you can request a wet signed I-20 by setting up Express Mail here: extension.fullerton.edu/international/students/express-mail. ISS will then print and ship your I-20 for use with DMV. Outgoing shipments will occur on Thursdays and Fridays (subject to change without notice).

If you are requesting an I-20 in which an electronic signature is permitted (all but DMV), ISS will issue it and send it to your CSUF email. Upon receiving the electronic I-20 via email, you need to print it and sign it with black ink in the Student Attestation Section. 

CSUF plans for primarily in-person instruction, with some courses delivered virtually and some delivered as hybrid (mixture of in-person and virtual). Please frequently check your CSUF email and the Titans Return website for more updates. 

Consistent with current SEVP's COVID-19 guidance for 2022-2023 academic year, ISS will issue a Form I-20 to admitted students who have accepted their admission offer and whose supporting documents for the I-20 have been approved by ISS. Please note that you do not need the Form I-20 if beginning your CSUF academic program by studying remotely from outside the U.S. However, students who come from a U.S. sanctioned country (Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Ukraine - Crimea Region, Sudan, Syria) are not permitted to enroll and study remotely from abroad.

Yes, in most cases you can enroll full time in fully online/web courses for Fall 2022 and study remotely from your home country. Please be sure to inform ISS of your Fall 2022 plans to remain outside the U.S.

Note that students who come from a U.S. sanctioned country (Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Ukraine - Crimea Region, Sudan, Syria) are not permitted to enroll remotely from abroad.

Consistent with SEVP's COVID-19 guidance, ISS will issue your CSUF Form I-20 for Fall 2022. Please note that the Form I-20 is a certificate of eligibility for the F-1 status. Entry to the U.S. remains at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

You can still begin your CSUF academic program by enrolling in fully online/web courses for the Fall 2022 semester and study remotely from outside the U.S. This will allow you more time to obtain the F-1 visa. If you choose to study from outside the U.S., please notify ISS immediately so that adjustments can be made to your Fall 2022 I-20. Please note that your CSUF admission offer is specific to the Spring 2022 semester. If you do not enroll in at least one Fall 2022 course, then you must reapply for admission for a future term and wait for an admission decision before a new I-20 can be issued to you. Please check the Fall 2022 Registration Guide for enrollment deadlines. If any further questions related to your CSUF admission, please contact the Admissions Office: admissions@fullerton.edu.

Your CSUF admission offer is specific to beginning your academic program in the Fall 2022 semester. If you do not enroll in the Fall 2022 term, then you must reapply for admission for a future term. If any further questions about  your CSUF admission offer, please contact the Admissions Office: admissions@fullerton.edu.

Please contact ISS to request a Form I-20 for Fall 2022.

In most cases, you can enroll in fully online (100% web) courses for the semester and study remotely from outside the U.S. To maintain your F1 status, you must enroll in a full course load. If you are not enrolling in any CSUF courses, you may request a Leave of Absence if eligible. Please meet virtually with an ISS Advisor to discuss your situation, eligibility for Leave Request and explore other options.

Yes, you can remain in the U.S. as long as you maintain a full course of study (or have ISS approved reduced course load) for Fall 2022 semester. If you are unable to maintain a full course of study, please schedule a virtual appointment with an ISS Advisor before submitting withdrawal requests.

Yes, in most cases. Please refer to https://extension.fullerton.edu/international/students/status/

Please be sure to clearly communicate your situation with your professor(s) and ask if any accommodations can be made available. Please discuss your situation with an ISS Advisor before any repeated or extended absences from course participation and before submitting withdrawal request from course. 

If you will remain outside the U.S. for the entire duration of the Fall 2022 semester while studying virtually, you are not required to purchase the CSUF International Student Health Insurance Plan for the Fall 2022 semester. Please be reminded that if you decide to remain in the U.S., the CSUF International Student Health Insurance is a condition of your enrollment and F-1 status.

To request an exception to the health insurance requirement based on being outside the U.S., please email ISS proof that you have departed the U.S. (examples of acceptable proof include I-94 Travel History, copy of airline ticket, copy of arrival date stamp in passport). If you have been admitted for Fall 2022 semester and you are not transferring from a SEVIS approved school, you are not required to provide proof of departure.  

Please view your COVID-19 Coverage information on Anthem's Individual and Family webpage: https://www.anthem.com/ca/coronavirus/individual-and-family/

If you are currently outside the U.S. and have not yet applied for Post-Completion OPT, you must re-enter the U.S prior to your program completion date in order to qualify for OPT. You cannot submit your OPT application to USCIS while you are outside the U.S. Please discuss your situation with an ISS Advisor well in advance. 

During the COVID19 emergency, SEVP considers employment that is less than 20 hours per week to be valid for OPT employment.

According to the SEVP FAQ released on April 14, 2020, your SEVIS record does not need to be updated if you are working from home due to COVID19. Additionally, students on STEM OPT are not required to update their I-983 if working from home due to COVID19.

Time off work consistent with the employer’s leave-related policies does not count as unemployment. As long as you are expected to resume work after the leave, you do not need to take any action to update your SEVIS record or Form I-20. Please be sure to save any documentation and/or communication from your employer pertaining to the leave. If you are on approved OPT or STEM OPT and your employment has been permanently terminated, you must report the end of your employment to ISS within 10 days.

At this time, there have not been any changes or flexibility in regards to the limit on unemployment days. If you are on OPT and want to avoid exceeding the unemployment limit, you may want to consider a qualifying volunteer position. Unlike OPT, STEM Extension OPT cannot be maintained with volunteer and/or unpaid positions. Otherwise, you must depart the U.S. or transfer to a new school before exceeding the unemployment limit.

At this time, there has not been an official announcement indicating that an electronic signature on the I-983 is permitted. We therefore must defer to the instructions on the I-983 form itself which indicates “sign in ink”.

Effective November 8, 2021, all non-immigrant air travelers to the U.S. are required to be fully vaccinated and present proof of COVID-19 vaccination before boarding an airplane bound for the U.S. For more details, please see CDC's website.

For your health and safety, please see CDC's After International Travel Guidance.

ISS does not recommend travel due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions for certain foreign nationals, and temporary suspension of visa services in most US Embassies. If you choose to depart the U.S., please be prepared for delays and possible inability to re-enter the U.S.

ISS does not recommend non-essential travel within the U.S. due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Various parts of the U.S. have travel restrictions. Please refer to CDC: COVID-19 Cases in the U.S.  If you choose to travel within the U.S., please seriously consider your health and safety. Be sure to follow the recommendations provided by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

No. While Cal State Fullerton is taking precautionary measures and providing virtual instruction mode for all students, F1 and J1 students can remain in the US if they choose to do so. Students should check the expiration date on their Form I-20 (for F1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J1 students).

No. Please submit the online Travel Signature Request prior to departure. F1 students will receive their signed Form I-20 via CSUF email. J1 students will have their reprinted Form DS-2019 mailed to mailing address provided (or shipped overseas at students' expense). 

A visa is valid until its expiration date. You are not required to apply for a new visa if it has not yet expired or been revoked.

F-1 Visa Holders: If you are unable to depart the U.S. before the end of your Grace Period, your options to extend your F-1 status include receiving admission to another SEVP certified School and transferring your SEVIS record or applying for OPT. Please consult with an ISS Advisor regarding procedures and eligibility. Additionally, we encourage you to also contact your home country’s local consulate or embassy in the U.S. for support and information regarding travel home.

J-1 Visa Holders: Please contact ISS to request an appointment with ISS Associate Director to discuss your situation.

Unemployment benefits do not impact your F1 status or eligibility for future benefits.

It is important to note that unemployment insurance eligibility requirements vary from state to state. Check with the unemployment insurance agency in the state where you worked regarding eligibility guidelines. Click here to search for your state’s program.