A message from President Jere W. Morehead and Provost S. Jack Hu
We are very pleased the federal government has rescinded the rule that would have barred international students from online study in the United States. We are so thankful that you will be able to continue your studies without interruption. The many valuable contributions you provide do not go unnoticed. You are an integral part of our institution and our community.
President Jere W. Morehead and Provost S. Jack Hu
UPDATE- SEVP broadcast message of 6 July 2020 rescinded
The court challenge to the broadcast memo of 6 July 2020 was successful and the government has agreed to rescind both the memo and the FAQ list it had published. We are back to operating under policy guidance issued March of 2020. This allows international students in the U.S. greater flexibility if institutions need to operate under different models of instruction. We are awaiting further clarifications from SEVP-ICE.
U.S. Consulates:
We have heard that U.S. Consulates are slowly re-opening for visa applications. We have heard from one or two Consulates in some Schengen countries that there may be a way F-1 and J-1 students and scholars can apply for an exemption to the travel restrictions in place form these countries to the U.S. See link below, from the U.S. embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia, for more detailed information. If you are a student or scholar awaiting a visa application appointment, please ask the Consulate, when you are applying, for an exemption to the travel restrictions to the U.S.
J-1 scholars: You should request a letter of support from your sponsoring department, outlining what research and academic activities you will pursue at UGA.
F-1 and J-1 Students, you should request a letter from your admitting department, or from our office, confirming that you will have access to in-person classes. Please only request the letter from our office if you cannot reach your admitting department. You can do this by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with the subject line Schengen exemption support letter. Your request will be forwarded to your immigration advisor, who will issue the letter and scan a signed copy to you.
If you already have the visa, but have been unable to travel to the U.S. due to the travel restrictions on Schengen countries, you may be able to still apply to the U.S. Consulates for an exception. Contact them through their website, and submit your request with a copy of your passport ID page and your current valid visa.
You can find the website and contact information for the U.S. Consulate closest to you here: https://www.usembassy.gov/
Finally – a word of caution. This process has not been clarified by the U.S. State Department, so far as we know. It has also not yet been formally recognized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We don’t yet know if a student or scholar traveling to the U.S. under this exception will actually be admitted to the country. We are hoping for more guidance soon. We also recommend you check with your air carrier to try to confirm that you are in fact admissible to the U.S. under this exception.
Students and Scholars, please keep us informed as to the status of your visa application, and travel plans to the U.S.
Information on exceptions to the Schengen country travel restrictions: U.S. Embassy – Bratislava. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/national-interest-exceptions-from-certain-travelers-from-the-schengen-area-uk-and-ireland.html
Office of Global Engagement Health and Safety Information
Please see the OGE Health and Safety Information video below.
