Travel
Travel
NC State has implemented a COVID-19 testing protocol for the Spring 2021 semester. Effective January 26, 2021, all international travelers will need to get tested no more than 3 days prior to travel by air into the United States and show negative results to the airline before boarding your flight, or in lieu of a negative test result provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the form of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or public health official that you were cleared to travel.
In addition, all arriving international travelers must get tested 3-5 days after travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their quarantine requirement and as of April 27, 2021, international travelers who have been fully vaccinated with a FDA-approved vaccine or a vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) do not need to quarantine after arrival unless their post-travel test is positive (see below). For other international travelers (unvaccinated or vaccinated with something not approved by the FDA or WHO), you must stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel even if your post-travel test is negative.
If you test positive, you should isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. In all circumstances, travelers are advised to avoid being around other people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days.
A helpful FAQ has also been provided by the CDC, in addition to guidance issued by the U.S. Department of State. OIS is unable to provide additional guidance regarding testing outside of the U.S. or requirements for boarding other than what is mentioned here.
All students and scholars are reminded of the COVID-19 community standards that require compliance with all directions given by university officials and public health authorities.
There may be a number of reasons you or your family would want you to be home or you need to travel internationally in a time of pandemic response. Students and scholars must make international travel decisions that are in their best interest. However, please keep in mind the following considerations:
- Travel Guidance: Effective January 26, 2021, all international travelers will need to get tested no more than 3 days prior to travel by air into the United States and show negative results to the airline before boarding your flight, or in lieu of a negative test result provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the form of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or public health official that you were cleared to travel. In addition, all arriving international travelers must get tested 3-5 days after travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their quarantine requirement and as of April 27, 2021, international travelers who have been fully vaccinated with a FDA-approved vaccine or a vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) do not need to quarantine after arrival unless their post-travel test is positive. For other international travelers (unvaccinated or vaccinated with something not approved by the FDA or WHO), they must stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel even if their post-travel test is negative.
- Visa Validity, Travel Restrictions, and Return to the U.S.: Many U.S. embassies and consulates have modified or suspended their visa services. Additionally, there are currently indefinite entry restrictions for noncitizens traveling to the U.S. from certain locations. We do not know when these will be lifted or if other locations will be added. Therefore, if your visa will be expired or you may be subject to entry restrictions at the anticipated time of your return, there may be some uncertainty in terms of how quickly you may be able to return to the U.S. If you want to discuss your plans with an advisor, please contact your OIS advisor before making your decision.
- Graduating in Spring 2021 and Optional Practical Training (OPT) Eligibility: OPT is a type of off-campus employment authorization in one’s field of study typically utilized after degree completion. You cannot apply for OPT from abroad. You must be inside the U.S. with a SEVIS record that has been active for at least 1 academic year in order to be eligible to apply for OPT. If you plan to complete your degree in Spring 2021 but travel and are unable to return prior to your degree conferral date (12/15/2021 for Spring 2021), you forfeit your ability to apply for OPT.
SEVIS Record and the “5 month rule”: The “5 month rule” refers to the interruption of a student’s F-1 status due to the student being outside of the United States for more than five months. However, under the SEVP guidance, as long as you remain enrolled full-time, your SEVIS record can remain active even if you are enrolled from abroad and in all online courses. Furthermore, the guidance also states that “the five-month temporary absence provision addressed in 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(4) will not apply for students who remain in Active status.” As such, we expect the 5 month rule to be waived for students who continue to engage in classes online while abroad with an active SEVIS record. If you are currently abroad or go abroad, we recommend you consult your OIS advisor prior to being abroad for more than 5 months so we can give you the most up to date information at that time.
Before you travel, please review the above question “Can/Should I travel internationally?” for advice and considerations on international travel.
Travel Signature Validity: Travel signatures for currently enrolled students, J-1 students on Academic Training, and active J-1 scholars/student interns are valid for one year from the date of the signature. If you are an F-1 student on OPT, your signature is only valid for six months from the date of the travel signature (please also see our FAQ on travel on OPT).
Travel Signature Requests: A Travel Signature is essentially documentation from OIS that shows you have permission to travel and return to your program because you are in good standing with respect to your academic and immigration status. Please read the following to make sure you are able to have the correct documents that can demonstrate you have permission to travel and return to your program as per below:
- For F-1 Students: Electronic copy of an updated I-20 which includes a travel signature. If your I-20 has been (or will be) updated while OIS is operating remotely, an electronic copy of the I-20 will be emailed to you and will have a travel signature on it. Per SEVP guidance, an I-20 issued electronically during the COVID-19 pandemic is the valid, original document. As such, this I-20 with a travel signature can be used for travel when printed out. If you do not have an I-20 with a travel signature that will be valid upon your planned return, you can complete a Travel Request Form for OIS to electronically issue you a new I-20 to print and carry with you upon your return to the US.
- For J-1 Students and Scholars: Physical DS-2019 with a travel signature. If you do not have a DS-2019 with a travel signature that will be valid upon your planned return, please complete a Travel Request Form. You will need to include proof of insurance with this form. OIS will review your request and issue you a new DS-2019 with a travel signature. We will then mail your DS-2019 to you. We have a 10 business processing time for this request, so please submit your request with plenty of time for processing and mailing before your planned trip.
Please contact your OIS advisor to discuss your particular circumstances. Extensions might be possible in some cases; in others, we may refer you to an immigration attorney to discuss the possibilities of a change of status application.