Office of International Students and Scholars

COVID-19: International Student FAQs

Important Updates

May 26, 2020:

We have updated FAQ page under the Immigration and Travel Section: "What should I be aware of if I am returning home?" and "What should I be aware of if I am returning to the U.S.?" Students will be able to find answers related to traveling restrictions and guidance.  We will be updating this page over the next few days and weeks as more information becomes available.

May 8, 2020:

Please refer to our updated FAQ page regarding President Harris' recent announcement about the Fall 2020 semester. Please read through this information carefully and check back frequently. We will be updating this page over the next few days and weeks as more information becomes available.

April 23, 2020:

Our FAQ page was recently updated with information regarding President Trump's recent immigration ban and the IRS Economic Impact Payments. Be sure to check this page periodically for the latest 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:

• California governor issued a statewide order: Stay Home Except for Essential Needs starting March 19 until further notice.
• US State Department issued a notice of Suspension of  Routine Visa Services as of March 20 until further notice. 

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!