USA ends vaccination travel requirements and SEVP Covid online study guidance

The USA no longer requires international passengers to provide proof of vaccination, while the US Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has officially ended its Covid-19 guidance, a temporary measure which allowed online study to exceed regulatory limits.

The announcements follow President Biden’s termination of the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency, effective from May 11th.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that from May 12th, international passengers are no longer required to show proof of being fully vaccinated before boarding a flight to the USA.

Since October 2021, the entry of non-vaccinated, adult non-US citizens into the US had been suspended, although there were exemptions for visitors from countries with limited access to approved vaccines.

Individual institutions in the USA may still have their own vaccination policies in place, it should be noted.

Meanwhile, in a broadcast message to industry stakeholders, SEVP said that it was ending the ‘March 2020’ Covid-19 guidance regarding online study.

Although the guidance has been terminated, currently enrolled active F and M visa international students will be able to complete the current academic year under the Covid-19 flexibility arrangements.

From 2023/24, active F and M students will not be permitted to count online courses towards a full course of study in excess of pre-Covid regulatory limits – no more than one class or three credits studied online per term for F visa students.

In the broadcast statement, SEVP, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, said, “SEVP originally published its Covid-19 flexibilities to accommodate the national emergencies as they pertained to SEVP-certified schools and non-immigrant students, including restrictions and disruptions to travel and changes in teaching methods at the time.

“The flexibilities were always intended as a temporary measure to allow non-immigrant students to continue their studies with the least disruptions as possible and did not signify or result in a permanent change to the regulations.”

SEVP has issued a frequently asked questions sheet on the end of the Covid-19 guidance and the implications for institutions and international students.