Dear Student,
Congratulations on the upcoming end of your semester! We are sure you are ready for a well-deserved break.
Please take a few moments to carefully read the important updates and reminders below. They include information about current governmental policy, as well as information and reminders about Marquette plans and procedures, that will help you maintain your F-1 status as a Marquette student and/or help you with your plans to return to Marquette this Fall.
In addition to the information in this message, remember that you should also be regularly reviewing the general information on our website about maintaining your F-1 status.
Successful Completion of Spring Semester Classes
Grades will be viewable in Checkmarq soon after final exams. If you have questions about your grades, contact your professor or academic advisor. If you are having academic difficulties, your academic department or college may contact you using your Marquette email), so be sure to check your email throughout the summer. It is your responsibility to respond to your department or college about any disciplinary actions and there are strict deadlines for these procedures.
Important Considerations for International Travel in Summer 2021:
Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic -- current and new travel restrictions, visa processing limitations, public health developments and policy -- continues to impact international travel and to limit the ability of students to enter the U.S. and changes in any of these areas can occur with little or no warning. As a result, we strongly recommend students currently in the U.S. carefully consider the risks of travel outside the U.S. this summer and especially the potential consequences to your academic progress if you find yourself unable to return for Fall semester classes.
The advice and travel policy updates below are intended to highlight the current state of some of the more central issues that need to be considered by students who will need to enter the U.S. this Fall:
Travel Policy Updates for All Students
- Presidential Proclamations & Recent US. Department of State National Interest Exemption (NIE) Statements
These proclamations have suspended entry into the U.S. of all non-U.S. citizens who were physically present in certain countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry to the U.S. The most recent Proclamation was directed at travel from India to the U.S. Previous Proclamations impacted travelers from People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Islamic Republic of Iran, Schengen area in Europe, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil.
Recent NIE Statements for students from India and for Students from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland have modified the impact of many of the proclamations so that it should be possible for students from these countries to enter the U.S. barring subsequent decisions to the contrary.
Students coming from countries impacted by these proclamations and NIEs will likely be unable to enter the U.S. before August 1, at least as far as this policy appears to be currently functioning. Official guidance on this question is not completely settled, however, and we continue to carefully monitor this important issue.
At present, there are no completely clear guidelines about Entry earlier than August 1 based on an NIE will likely not be possible. It is also not possible to predict at this time how and if these NIEs will be functioning in August.
Many U.S. embassies and consulates are operating in a reduced capacity for visa appointments. If your F-1 visa stamp in your passport expires before you plan to re-enter the U.S., you may not be able to get a new visa in time to return to resume studies this Fall. You should review the embassy website and schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you will apply.
Be sure to check in advance with your airline on their policy regarding travel to the U.S. since each airline’s procedures in response to current regulations may vary.
- OIE will also make every effort to inform students of any major changes to travel regulations, but we will not always have timely information to share.
Advice for Students Inside the U.S. Considering International Travel in the Summer
- OIE strongly recommends you carefully consider the risks of travel outside the U.S this summer and does not generally recommend non-essential travel under these circumstances as Marquette cannot guarantee online classes will be available at that point in time.
If you do travel outside the United States, you must have a valid Marquette Designated School Official (DSO) signature on page two of your Form I-20 in order to re-enter the U.S. The DSO signature on page two is valid for one year if your I-20 is accurate (no changes to your name, major, graduation date or level of study). You do not need a new DSO signature for each trip if you will return to the U.S. within one year from the date of the last DSO signature. If you do need a new travel signature, be sure to request this from OIE at least one week before your departure date. Signatures “on demand” will not be possible given OIE’s reduced staffing.
Advice for Students Outside the U.S. Planning to Enter the U.S. for Fall Classes
- National Interest Exception (NIE) & Entry Date
Based on your country of citizenship you may need an NIE from the US Embassy or Consulate to board your flight and/or enter the US. and you will likely be unable to enter the U.S. before August 1 based on current policy. See the section above on “Travel Policy Updates for All Students” to determine if this applies to you.
- Documents for Entering the U.S.:
Students who have been maintaining their F-1 status while outside the U.S. should be able to reenter using the following documents:
1) a valid MU I-20 with a valid travel signature on page 2*
2) an F-1 visa with an expiration date later than your intended reentry date
*A valid I-20 will have a program completion date in December 2021 or later and no changes to your name, major, graduation date or level of study. The DSO signature on page two is valid for one year.
Students who no longer have valid F-1 status will need the following to reenter:
1) a new, initial attendance I-20 from Marquette
2) an F-1 visa with an expiration date later than your intended reentry date
If you have questions about your MU I-20 or need a new I-20 or travel signature, please contact OIE as soon as possible.
Fall Semester 2021
Classes for Fall semester will begin on Monday, August 30. At this point, it is very likely that the University will return this Fall to its normal instructional model of in-person classes with a smaller range of 100% online and hybrid courses. You should plan on enrolling full-time to maintain your F-1 status. As always, full-time enrollment means a minimum of 12 credits for undergraduates and 7 credits for graduates, and only one, 100% online class can be counted towards this total. If you have not already done so, be sure to contact your academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss your Fall schedule and finalize your Fall registration. Be sure you are registered full-time BEFORE the start of Fall semester.
If have been pursuing your studies outside the U.S. in Spring 2021 and are concerned that you will not be able to enter the U.S. for Fall semester, please see the appropriate section below for additional advice on your Fall registration:
Students Taking Classes Outside the U.S. for Spring 2021 Not Maintaining F-1 Status
If the University returns to its normal instructional model, it remains committed to making all reasonable efforts to work with students who cannot return to the U.S. (due to travel bans or visa issues) to find online class options that can provide some progress toward degree completion. Options may not be available in all cases and may not be the top choices for the student. If you find yourself in this circumstance, you will need to work closely with your academic advisor to determine what options are available to you.
Students Taking Classes Outside the U.S. for Spring 2021 While Maintaining F-1 Status
If the University returns to the normal instructional model, it will no longer be possible to maintain F-1 status while outside the United States. As a result, SEVIS records of students who have been enrolling in full-time studies each semester since March 2020 and who are unable to return to the U.S. will be terminated at the start of Fall semester. The University remains committed to making all reasonable efforts to work with students in this situation to find online class options that can provide some progress toward degree completion. However, options may not be available in all cases and may not be the top choices for the student. If you find yourself in this circumstance, you will need to work closely with your academic advisor to determine what options are available to you. You should also keep in mind that you will not be able to receive authorization for OPT or CPT unless the time-period requested will be after you have been in F-1 status in the U.S. for one academic year.
Students who are concerned they may be unable to enter the U.S. for Fall are encouraged to contact OIE as soon as possible to discuss their circumstances.
Steps to Take On Arrival to Campus
If you are entering the U.S. with a new I-20 that lists an Issuance Reason of “Initial Attendance” or “Transfer Pending,” you need to report to OIE after you arrive to Marquette. Please report by visiting OIE within 10 days of your arrival in Milwaukee. Bring your residence address in Milwaukee, your passport, I-20 form and any other documents given to you by a Consular or US immigration official.
If you are entering the U.S. with your previous I-20 or a new I-20 that lists “Travel” as the Issuance Reason, you do not need to report to OIE on arrival. You must, however, report your U.S. address for Fall to OIE.
Are OIE Staff Available during Summer Break?
Yes! OIE advisors are working during the break, except when all university offices are closed. Call OIE at 414-288-7289 to schedule an appointment or contact us by email to ask a question.
All university offices will be closed: Monday July 5, 2021 through Friday July 9, 2021
General Reminders for Students in the U.S.
Keep Your Address Up to Date
Remember students in the U.S. must report any change of residence address no later than ten days after oving. Submit the Change of Address Form and we will update the SEVIS database, as required by U.S. regulations. You should also update your mailing and permanent addresses in CheckMarq.
Campus Employment During Summer Break
Marquette F-1 students are authorized to work on the Marquette campus during summer break if you will enroll in classes for the Fall Semester. Employment can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer break. Graduate students with teaching or research assistantships should check with the Graduate School and their academic advisors before beginning any on-campus job in addition to their assistantship. Here is more information about on-campus and off campus employment.
Beware of Scams
International students are sometimes targets of scams. Scammers identify themselves as a government official (from the Internal Revenue Service or Department of Homeland Security) or as someone who knows about a student. They try to convince you to buy an item or a service or threaten punishment unless you immediately pay money, wire money, purchase a gift or debit card, or send some payment that is difficult to track. Do not respond to these calls or messages. Marquette University, the Police Department and the U.S. government will never call you to demand personal information or immediate payment over the phone. If you are uncertain about a call, contact the MU Police Department or an OIE advisor.
Congratulations to our Graduates
Congratulations to our students who will graduate in May! We are proud of your accomplishments, thankful for all you have contributed to the Marquette Community, and wish you well in your future endeavors. Please keep in contact with OIE as you become Marquette Alumni.
Finally, best wishes from all of us at OIE for a relaxing and safe summer!
Michael Groen