Refund of VAC or extension of visa validity period for affected visa holders who were or will be unable to enter Australia before their visa ceases due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. A Department of State Bureau of Educational Exchange Exchange Visitor Program page links to the latest guidance for Exchange Visitor Program sponsors and participants, and includes a Frequently Asked Questions section as well. This is an exceptional and short term and temporary measure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the number of exchange visitors affected by airline disruptions and border closures, individual incident reports are unnecessary. If your institution is taking measures to relocate exchange visitors from campus housing, please detail this in your Incident Report and explain the options and/or resources you are providing to exchange visitors in terms of alternative housing. Sponsors should be mindful of the program end date and can extend the program end date in SEVIS if the exchange visitor returns to complete the program. As previously noted, if the exchange visitor needs the original form with signature in order to participate on the Program - perhaps due to a separate requirement for original documents for a visa interview or the DHS requirement for entry to the United States - then the sponsor needs to transmit documents to exchange visitors that meet that regulatory requirement. In fact, the majority of public school districts view the enrollment of exchange students in the Secondary School Student (SSS) category as a voluntary cultural exchange and charge no tuition. The Department understands that the COVID-19 situation has caused a major disruption in program participation. Extension process to be carried out automatically without need to apply for renewal As noted during the conference call with sponsors on March 27th, sponsors are advised to reprint Forms DS-2019, fully execute them with original signatures in blue ink, and transmit them in accordance with routine requirements if exchange visitors need Forms DS-2019 for formal processing (i.e., visa application issuance or application for entry to the United States). You need to do this before your student visa expires. However, sponsors should encourage exchange visitors to follow CDC guidance and consider health, safety, and welfare implications for travel at this time. In the case of a College or University Student participating in Academic Training, for example, the regulations require that the student be primarily in the United States to study rather than to participate in Academic Training, that the Academic Training be directly related to his or her major field of study, that the student be in good academic standing with the post-secondary accredited academic institution; and the student receive written approval in advance from the responsible officer for the duration and type of academic training (22 CFR 62.23(f)). If your visa is due to expire after 31 March 2021, or you are changing employer, you cannot extend your visa for free. Please refer to ECA communication dated March 16, 2020 for exchange visitor SEVIS records in Initial or Active status. Yes, the Department expects to look favorably upon requests submitted by sponsors pursuant to 22 C.F.R. Staying in Australia. State Department Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), Exchange Visitor Program Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), Get Updates on Exchange Programs and the Presidential Proclamation, Visa Exceptions to Presidential Proclamations Affecting J-1 Visas, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/proclamation-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-who-present-risk-to-the-US-labor-market-during-the-economic-recovery-following-the-COVID-19-outbreak.html, 07.02.2020 Communication to Sponsors Presidential Proclamation, 06.27.2020 Communications to Sponsor 60 Day Extensions to Return to Countries with Closed Borders (PDF), 06.22.2020 Communication to Student Intern Sponsors Extensions for Time Off-Program, 05.29.2020 Communication to Sponsors 60 Day Extensions for Return to Countries with Closed Borders, 05.21.2020 Communication to Intern and Trainee Sponsors Extensions for Time Off-Program, 05.21.2020 Communication to Au Pair Sponsors Six Month Extensions for Second Year Au Pairs, 05.07.2020 Communication to Teacher Sponsors: One-year teacher extensions beyond the maximum duration, 4.06.2020 Communication to Secondary School Student Sponsors Q&As, 4.29.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Vetting Summer Placements, 4.02.2020 Two-Month Extension of Certain Program End Dates, 3.31.2020 Communication to Sponsors Travel Difficulty Embassy Outreach, 3.19.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Website Updates, 3.17.2020 Communication to Academic Sponsors: Online Programs Guidance, 3.16.2020 Communication to Sponsors: COVID-19 inquiries, 3.16.2020 Communication to Sponsors: SEVIS guidance during COVID-19, 3.13.2020 Communication to Sponsors: EVP Update on Travel, 3.11.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor Guidance, 3.6.2020 (2:27PM) Communication to Sponsors: Update on COVID-19—Additional Information, 3.6.2020 (9:49AM) Communication to Sponsors: Update on COVID-19, 2.7.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Coronavirus Update, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.html, National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland, Exceptions to Presidential Proclamations (10014 & 10052) Suspending the Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Presenting a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html, Common Questions for Host Families/Employers, Regulations and Compliance Administration, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Please update SEVIS when necessary to reflect accurate program information including current U.S. address and site(s) of activity. Sponsors should document all such unique circumstances, and must continue to monitor exchange programs to ensure they meet program objectives to the fullest extent possible during this situation. Sponsors must submit annual reports by the regulatory mandated due dates. Please contact the Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation to discuss this option. There are roughly 19,000 people in New Zealand who hold visitor visas that will be eligible for the automatic five-month extension. EVP updated the Current Programs FAQ on the ECA COVID-19 page with the following new FAQ: REMOTE ACADEMIC TRAINING FOR CONTINUING PARTICIPANTS: What is the policy regarding College and University Students who are currently on Academic Training and have been since the spring – do we allow them to continue their Academic Training remotely? If you adjusted the dates, to include shortening the program, we are recommending as a best practice that you issue a new DS-2019. Important Notice for K visa applicants affected by COVID-19. Please review the guidance emailed to sponsors by the OPA teams for incident reporting criteria regarding COVID-19-related cases for specific categories. The Department notes that a temporary modification along these lines for exigent circumstances beyond a sponsor’s or host entity’s control does not undermine a program’s consistency with the regulations. The guidance there applies to all categories that require a minimum of 32 hours, such as interns, trainees, and teachers. 10052 suspended entry into the United States for certain exchange visitors through December 31, 2020. (A) This is a very common question and one we are looking at very closely. (A) Updates to OPA containing summaries of these incidents are helpful as we gather information on the impact to the programs. 4. pop-up content starts. Over 70,000 are student visa holders whose visa conditions may need to be relaxed, to enable them to change their course or work extra … Seoul Full Forecast. Some of the exchange visitors who are subject to the European Travel Proclamations may be eligible to enter the United States if they qualify for a national interest exception (NIE) to the European Travel Proclamations. To try to respond to this we in ECA have stood up a Repatriation Working Group to try to assist sponsors with this difficult situation. Given this information, there is no indication if participants without visas will be able to attend visa appointments this season. Family members with a visa due to expire before 1 October 2020 will also have their visa extended. KLM canceled a flight from China back to Europe that we had already requested a refund for. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer in Australia. Want to know how to extend your visa in Australia? We continue to strongly recommend that private sector sponsors similarly follow the guidance for the indefinite pause. As the State Department has issued a Global Level 4 Travel Advisory, the suspension applies to ALL countries. Last updated: 11 December 2020. Please direct all general COVID-19 questions […] Please use our online appointment system to make a visa appointment once we … Sponsors must maintain monthly contact with exchange visitors to confirm their health, safety, and welfare, and that their programs continue to meet the objectives. Sponsors continue to be required to conduct character reference checks and criminal background checks, as specified in the regulations. A new Form DS-2019 reflecting the extension is issued to the participant. Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) regulations at 22 § CFR 62.8(a) require sponsors (other than federal government agencies) to have at least five active exchange visitors during the annual reporting cycle (e.g., academic, calendar, or fiscal year) stated in their individual letters of designation or redesignation. This fee is nonrefundable and non-transferrable. My situation: Last year I was in the US as a J1 student. Please refer to ECA communication dated February 7, 2020, for guidance, specifically the section on exchange visitors currently inside the United States. If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Travellers of whom the visa expires, who do not qualify for another visa and who cannot leave Australia due to the international travel limitations, can apply for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa . For guidance on matters related to visa services, Presidential Proclamations (including those related to travel restrictions), and eligibility for NIEs, please refer to the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) at. Due to the 2019-20 bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic, there are special exceptions to help travellers navigating working and living in Aus. As noted during the conference call with sponsors on March 27th, sponsors are advised to reprint Forms DS-2019, fully execute them with original signatures in blue ink, and transmit them in accordance with routine requirements if exchange visitors need Forms DS-2019 for formal processing (i.e., visa application issuance or application for entry to the United States). As a matter of general operating procedure, most visa sections worldwide schedule visa interviews for students and exchange visitors separately from regular B1/B2 visa applicants (visitors for business and tourism). In addition, our visa sections worldwide routinely expedite visa interviews for students and exchange visitors upon request if there is a compelling need to expedite visa processing. Extensions beyond the maximum program […] As always, sponsors should end the programs of exchange visitors who are no longer pursuing program activities or updating sponsors with their whereabouts. Sponsors and their exchange visitors are also encouraged to review the following USCIS website detailing special situations for extensions and change of visa status, including those individuals subject to INA 212(e): Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement. A reasonable, temporary modification for exigent circumstances beyond a sponsor's control would not undermine a program’s consistency with the regulations. In light of international travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 situation, the United States Department of State (DOS) has granted an automatic two (2) month extension to J-1 Exchange Visitors under the Au Pair, Intern, Trainee, Scholar, and Specialist categories. Also, as previously noted please do check our website at. The Department of State Visa Office does not maintain a COVID-19 portal page with information dedicated to U.S. visas, although the DOS travel.state.gov website does list COVID-19-related news alerts on its U.S. Visa News page. remain in Australia if you have no other visa options and are unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions; include members of the family unit in your application. June 11 FAQ Updates. (A) This concern has been voiced to us by many. For exchange visitors who will complete programs online and not return to the United States for the next semester, sponsors should shorten their programs and their status will revert to “inactive.” For exchange visitors who are continuing programs online and intend to return to the United States this fall, sponsors should leave their SEVIS records in “active” status. DOS also says that it will "work with sponsors to push a reinstatement and extension in SEVIS resulting in a program end date of May 31, 2020... for exchange visitors who completed their exchange programs in March but remain in the U.S. due to circumstances outside of their control (lack of flights home, etc.)." If so, what is the process? Updates to "Current Programs" FAQs, Following Automatic 60-Day Extension of Program End Dates. Please follow the links below for the latest guidance for Exchange Visitor Program sponsors and participants. An exchange visitor currently on an exchange program whose visa has expired and who does not plan to travel outside of the U.S. does not need to renew his or her visa. My VISA was valid until March 20th, with a 30-day Grace Period that would make my stay in the US legal until April 20th, 2020.. First, exchange visitors experiencing difficulty returning home should remain in contact with their sponsors (and sponsors should document exchange visitor records to reflect these contacts and the exchange visitors’ efforts to leave the United States.). For further guidance, please reach out to ECFMG at: [email protected]. SoN letters must bear the seal of the concerned governments and be signed by a duly designated official of the governments. This policy reflects sponsor obligations to promote the health, safety and welfare of Exchange Visitor Program participants while at the same time meeting program objectives. Sponsors are encouraged to provide data and/or narratives on the number of exchange visitors that had to shorten their programs or those who had difficulties with repatriation. An exchange visitor currently on an exchange program whose visa has expired and who does not plan to travel outside of the U.S. does not need to renew his or her visa. 구름조금. Last Updated: August 12, 2020 On June 22, the President signed Presidential Proclamation (P.P.) A temporary modification along these lines of a current exchange participant's program due to exigent circumstances beyond a sponsor’s or host entity’s control does not undermine the program’s original consistency with the regulations. (A) The Department of State has no plans to substitute video interviews for the in-person visa interview. 10052) (i.e., Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern, Summer Work Travel, Teacher, Trainee) to determine whether they qualify for national interest exceptions (NIEs) under P.P. (A) Yes, we have had a lot of questions about COVID diagnoses and quarantines. Public Law 94-484, as reflected at 22 CFR 62.27(b)(6), requires that alien physician applicants provide SoN letters from the governments of the countries of their most recent legal permanent residence. The Department of State Exchange Visitor Program posted the questions and answers arising out of their March 27, 2020 teleconference with Exchange Visitor Program sponsors. I'll call it a "note to file" but you should maintain this change in the exchange visitor's program for future reference. The Department is updating FAQs this week to provide an updated link for any exchange visitor whose program has reached maximum duration and wishes to apply for change of status through the Department of Homeland Security. J-1 students who are seeking to apply for a visa and believe they may qualify for an NIE should contact their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before they attempt to travel to and enter the United States. Home Office and The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP Overseas nationals who cannot return home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be able to extend their visa … When conditions permit return to in-person contact, the Department expects sponsors to revert to the traditional in-person method of vetting host families and monitoring placements. I do suggest you record or document this event in the exchange visitor's file. Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) participants should contact their sponsor if they have any questions about the effects of COVID-19 on their EVP program. Extensions beyond the maximum program […] If the exchange visitor does travel outside of the United States during their current exchange visitor program and after their J-1 visa has expired, they must apply for a new J-1 visa in their home country in order to re-enter the United States to continue their program. Sponsors would have to send DOS a list of participants to whom that action should be applied. Today's date. Sponsors must also closely monitor the health, safety and welfare of each exchange visitor to determine if remaining on the exchange program is truly feasible. U.S. TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS. Thus, host academic institutions should have reinstated partial to full-time classroom participation or be able to meet other formal in-person requirements before hosting new participants. In response to the last question on refunds, you can pursue SEVIS fee refunds with SEVP. (A) We recognize this is a stressful, ever changing situation and we understand your concern. In the case of graduating students, sponsors may temporarily allow them to begin their Academic Training remotely to prevent unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 as long as the host organization is open and able to provide the training remotely. If the exchange visitor is no longer pursuing program objectives, the sponsor should use the shorten program function in This ends the exchange visitor's program and the SEVIS status will be "inactive." With pre-booked COVID-19 testing at a laboratory operating at the airport; and, Subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry. If your study in Australia is ending, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600). The Department recognized that its decision to extend all programs based on program end date criteria would result in the reactivation of the records of certain exchange visitors who are no longer pursuing program objectives. Please contact the Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation to discuss this option. Sponsors should document all such unique circumstances, and must continue to monitor exchange programs to ensure they meet program objectives to the fullest extent possible during this situation. This is distinct from the enrollment of foreign students on F-1 visas, in which case the payment of tuition is required. Please note, however, that sponsors must keep their designations current throughout any such a pause in program. When resumption of such programs is safe and practicable, the Department will consider sponsor requests for extensions beyond the maximum duration and will provide sponsors with additional guidance. Generally, we are not in a position to waive the regulations or other laws that govern the Exchange Visitor Program, and further many of the requirements at issue are imposed separately by other agencies. 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