Brasilia, July 24, 2020: On July 24, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that nonimmigrant students can engage in distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the public health emergency generated by COVID-19.
Students who satisfy the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) requirements as reflected on the DHS form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) and in SEVIS may qualify for admission to the United States with the appropriate student visas as reflected in the original guidance ICE
issued in March 2020. However, students may still be subject to travel restrictions due to COVID-19. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil have suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.
The United States remains the top global destination for international students, attracting students from almost every country across the globe. We recognize the serious challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has posed to universities and students alike, and we hope that many international students who had planned to study this fall in the United States will still be able to do so. Follow us on our website, and our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Flickr accounts.
For further information on this Media Note, please contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office in Brasília at BrasiliaEMBEUA@state.gov or on (+55 61) 3312 – 7367 / 7364.
