Office of International Students and Scholars

COVID-19: International Student FAQs

Updates:

March 20, 2020:

There are two critical announcements from the local and federal governments listed below which may impact your current or future plans:

March 19, 2020:

  • We would like to update you that due to new orders issued by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, on-campus housing is no longer permitted to any students.  All on-campus residents must move out by March 22.  However, the university has secured limited housing at two off-campus locations to accommodate those who are unable to travel.  For more information, please click on the link under Section Student Life and Wellness, then look for "What will happen to my on-campus housing?"  
  • The U.S. Department of State has raised the Travel Alert to Level 4: Do Not Travel.  This may impact your existing or pending travel plan.  Please check with the airline or travel agent immediately.  Email us if you have any questions.
  • In order to continue maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status, please complete the Remote Study Plan, if you have not done so, or your plan has changed.  

March 18, 2020:  

Some international students struggle to make the final decision on whether or not to stay or return to their home country especially when traveling home is still an option and permissible.  It is critical to make the decision based on the safety, health care resource, and support system in light of illness at any point from now through the end of the semester. Please involve your family in the process. 

  • If you do decide to return to your home country, please check with your embassy's website first on any travel restrictions and then make your travel arrangement immediately as the situation changes rapidly.  For a complete list of Contact Info for Foreign Embassies and Consulates, please click on the link. 
  • If you do decide to remain in San Diego, it is important that you follow the new guidelines issued by the White House for the next two weeks – avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more, avoid discretionary travel (including domestic travel), shopping trips, social visits, and dining out, etc.  The situation is serious and we need everyone to follow through.

March 17, 2020:

Our office will continue to process requests and offer immigration advising during our regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm) through email and Zoom. However, we will not be conducting any in-person meetings and appointments or accepting walk-in traffic during this time.  Please refer to USD's Coronavirus (COVID-19) page for the latest campus-wide updates.  In addition, we encourage to check with your embassy's website for updated information.  For a complete list of Contact Info for Foreign Embassies and Consulates, please click on the link. 


Welcome to USD!

Welcome to our international family! USD hosts international students and scholars from more than 70 countries around the world. We are delighted that you are joining this group of distinguished students and scholars, and we hope that your experiences here will prove intellectually challenging, culturally enriching, and personally enjoyable, whether you stay only for a few weeks, or several years.

@usdoiss on Instagram

Be sure to participate in the Virtual International Expo & Fashion Show! Submit a photo of you in traditional dress or wearing something that represents your country, or your favorite home cuisine or selfie in front of your favorite home location and we will share it on our IG at the virtual expo from April 6th - April 8th!! Submit your content here: https://bit.ly/USDVirtualExpo2020 (or email internationaloffice@sandiego.edu)
We are hosting a virtual version of our annual International Expo & Fashion Show! It will take place from April 6th - April 8th on our Instagram. Share your photos in traditional clothing, enjoying home cuisine or at your favorite home location to participate. Submit via this form by Friday, April 3rd: https://bit.ly/USDVirtualExpo2020
From @capublichealth: Last night, @cagovernor Gavin Newsom issued a stay at home order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians, and establish consistency across the state to slow the spread of #COVID19. What does that mean for you? More info here: https://covid19.ca.gov/
The US government released guidelines on social distancing. We must abide by this guidelines as we work to #slowthespread. Use this helpful guide when making decisions on being out and about. We must all do our part to help our community. The faster we comply the faster we can hope for a return to normalcy.
Are you planning to stay in the U.S. for the duration of the semester? If you are NOT on the USD health insurance plan be sure to call your insurance company to confirm that COVID-19 treatment (testing is free) is covered. As you remember from international orientation, medical treatment in the United States is extremely costly. This may be a factor in whether or not you choose to stay in the U.S.. Check the OISS FAQ page for more information: www.sandiego.edu/international/oiss/coronavirus-faqs.php. Those in the USD health insurance plan are covered for testing AND treatment.
Please check your email for the latest edition of the International Newsflash sent this afternoon. It includes information on the International Office’s operations moving forward, and a highlight of important topics and info related to the coronavirus in this rapidly changing situation.
REPOST: USD is offering the following transportation services to the Old Town transit center (from where you can take Amtrak to LA if you need to get to LAX) or to the San Diego Airport.
Remember to check the new Frequently Asked Questions page for international students here: www.sandiego.edu/international/oiss/coronavirus-faqs.php. The International Office is scheduled to be open this coming week for normal hours, Monday - Friday, 8:30am -5pm.
OISS has created a Frequently Asked Questions section on our webpage. We will continue to update this information as needed. Website: SanDiego.edu/international/OISS/
Pet of the week: “This is Marshmallow, Faiza Qureshi’s guinea pig! She loves running around, eating grass, and playing with Faiza’s little sister. But, she’s also very shy until she gets to know you well :)â€

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OISS attempts to provide the most recent, useful information to our students. However, we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to here, the iTorero Portal, and in emails coming out of OISS. Information provided by OISS does not constitute and should not be considered legal advice or a legal opinion, and it may not necessarily reflect the most current legal developments. OISS likewise cannot guarantee the outcome of status-related benefit requests filed with US government agencies.  Students should seek the advice of counsel or a tax professional for additional guidance. OISS reminds students and scholars that failure to comply with F-1 and J-1 regulations is a violation of your status, which may result in serious consequences including the termination of your SEVIS record, your inability to re-enter the US, and the accrual of unlawful presence which could lead to your removal from the US. Direct all questions regarding your F-1 and J-1 status to OISS, internationaloffice@sandiego.edu