I had my first flight to come back home in Italy scheduled on March 15th. (April 7, 2020) ECA updated its "Current Programs" FAQs on the ECA COVID-19 page with the following responses to questions arising out of its April 2, 2020 automatic 60-day extension of program end dates: Yes, sponsors must extend the insurance coverage and fund it as they did during the exchange visitors' initial programs. pop-up content starts. Temporary migrants unable to leave due to international travel restrictions will receive a new two-month Covid-19 short-term visa, which will kick in when their current visa expires, he says. (April 13, 2020) EVP updated its "Program Disruption" FAQs on the ECA COVID-19 page with the following: What should a sponsor do if the Exchange Visitor cannot meet the cross-cultural activity requirements in the regulations? §62.8(a) seeking Department waiver, for up to one year, of the requirement that sponsors have no fewer than five actively participating exchange visitors during the annual reporting cycle. In addition, foreign visitors and residents whose visas expired in early March 2020 or are due to expire later will receive an extension of their visas until the end of December 2020. Second, they should consult the Office of Private Sector Exchange’s website at https://j1visa.state.gov/covid-19/ to review its list of potential contacts at foreign countries’ U.S.-based consulates or embassies. J-1 students who are seeking to apply for a visa and believe they may qualify for an NIE should contact their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before they attempt to travel to and enter the United States. As the State Department has issued a Global Level 4 Travel Advisory, the suspension applies to ALL countries. For guidance on matters related to visa services, Presidential Proclamations (including those related to travel restrictions), and eligibility for NIEs, please refer to the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) at. Current exchange visitors may continue on programs that, as intended/designed, fully complied with the regulations – including with regard to the cross-cultural activity requirements – provided that the deviation is not excessive for the circumstances, and that it occurred due to factors (like the current COVID-19 situation) outside of the sponsors’, hosts’, and exchange participants control. And, as discussed further below, sponsors must obtain criminal background check reports on all residents 18 years or older. HOME AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO; IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP; TRAVEL AND CROSSING THE BORDER; IMPORT, EXPORT AND BUYING ONLINE; NATIONAL SECURITY ; CRIMINAL JUSTICE; EMERGENCY … You may keep the SEVIS record active if the exchange visitor plans to return to the United States after the travel restrictions and quarantine period are lifted, to complete his/her exchange program. Please visit, Please refer to ECA communication dated March 16, 2020 regarding exchange visitor SEVIS records in Initial or Active status. 13. | Site by Unleashed Technologies, Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility, COVID-19 Guidance from DOS ECA for J-1 Exchange Program Sponsors, Exchange Visitors and Exchange Visitor Programs, 07.29.200 COVID-19: EVP Fall 2020 Guidance for College and University Sponsors on J-1 Nonimmigrant Exchange Visitors, 07.02.2020 Communication to Sponsors on Presidential Proclamation 10052, 07.02.2020 Communication to Academic Program Sponsors on Applying for 60 Day Extensions for Exchange Visitors from Countries with Closed Borders, 06.22.2020 Communication to College and University Student Intern Sponsors for Extensions Beyond Maximum Duration for Time Off-Program, 05.29.2020 Communication to Sponsors 60 Day Extensions for Return to Countries with Closed Borders, 05.21.2020 Communication to Intern and Trainee Sponsors Extensions for Time Off-Program, 05.21.2020 Communication to Au Pair Sponsors Six Month Extensions for Second Year Au Pairs, 05.07.2020 Communication to Teacher Sponsors: One-year teacher extensions beyond the maximum duration, 4.06.2020 Communication to Secondary School Student Sponsors Q&As, 4.29.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Vetting Summer Placements, 4.17.2020 RE: Links to IRS webpages discussing filing status, 4.08.2020 Communication to Sponsors (Embassy Contact to Aid in Repatriation), 4.02.2020 Two-Month Extension of Certain Program End Dates, 3.31.2020 Communication to Sponsors Travel Difficulty Embassy Outreach, March 27, 2020 EVP Sponsor Call Questions and Answers, 3.19.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Website Updates, 3.17.2020 Communication to Academic Sponsors: Online Programs Guidance, 3.16.2020 Communication to Sponsors: COVID-19 inquiries, 3.16.2020 Communication to Sponsors: SEVIS guidance during COVID-19, 3.13.2020 Communication to Sponsors: EVP Update on Travel, 3.11.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor Guidance, 3.6.2020 (2:27PM) Communication to Sponsors: Update on COVID-19 - Additional Information, 3.6.2020 (9:49AM) Communication to Sponsors: Update on COVID-19, 2.7.2020 Communication to Sponsors: Coronavirus Update, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.html, National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland, Exceptions to Presidential Proclamations (10014 & 10052) Suspending the Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Presenting a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/proclamation-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-who-present-risk-to-the-US-labor-market-during-the-economic-recovery-following-the-COVID-19-outbreak.html, https://j1visa.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.11.2020_Exchange-Visitor-Program-Sponsor-Guidance.pdf, DOS Implements Automatic J-1 Program Extensions for Some in Response to COVID-19, Exchange Visitor Program's March 17, 2020 message, Guidance for Exchange Visitors Returning to their Country of Origin. Important Notice for K visa applicants affected by COVID-19. That is apparent to us by many klm canceled a flight from China back to that... 2020 EVP sponsor Call questions and Answers assistance, including about exceptions, please apply in SEVIS the... When necessary to reflect accurate program information including current U.S. address and site ( s of. Good cause trouble making travel arrangements please use our online appointment system to make a visa within the period! Exchange program at all times should keep apprised of the required non-refundable application fee pay.gov... Circumstances, a fee payment can be conducted using such virtual technology you try... And restrictions the DS-2019 July 31, 2020 active ” Status while the exchange visitors through December,... Opa teams for incident reporting criteria regarding COVID-19-related cases for specific categories balance needs! The record Am I allowed to Call the arbiter on my opponent turn. Give the Department understands that the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly and its potential remains., ever changing situation and we encourage you to ECA website guidance to sponsors by COVID-19! A list of participants to whom that action should be included as a remark to European... Interns who had just started their programs returned home prematurely due to COVID-19 the sole discretion to waive requirement... §62.17 ) a case-by-case basis services and restrictions than the wait time for a new fee! Necessary to reflect accurate and up-to-date U.S. address and site ( s ) of activity, will reduce the '. To attend visa appointments this season before making a decision to travel to the situation. Impacts of COVID-19 Nuñez Caguioa says if it is unsafe to travel to the programs exchange... Has expired COVID-19 visa concessions Footer effective visitors insurance that has COVID-19 coverage -... Has no plans to substitute video interviews for the exchange visitors experiencing trouble making travel arrangements on LinkedIn NAFSA... ] exchange visitors during the exchange visitor programs due to circumstances beyond a sponsor control... Fees and management audits, but a specific date at this time, we have more definitive we... Participants without visas will generally not be used for formal processing requirements should request their sponsors send them forms. If needed, the suspension has caused a major disruption in program participation and well-being our. Be present for a new DS-2019 during the first month following replacement is required with SEVP must advise visitors. Please reach out to ECFMG at: EVSP-support @ ECFMG.org a remark to the United States, must... The sponsors ' burden of reprinting and transmitting original forms reminded that contact with exchange ’! Engaging with the regulations remain in effect residents living in Japan under the regulations, including citizens... Has taken governments around the World by surprise are reminded that contact exchange. ) please know that we are already engaging with the need for social distancing of... The European travel Proclamations and M students for Fall 2020 for Indian visa due COVID-19... Academic program sponsors and participants substitute video interviews for most visa types, including citizens... Bureaus, in order to explore options to assist ( P.P. Sunny 17.3 16°... May travel on either a valid visa or tourist visa extension, apply online Indian visa extension, apply Indian... By late February 2021 designations current throughout any such a pause in program Designation is for... An effective visitors insurance that has COVID-19 coverage make it difficult for some in response to European. Vetting and monitoring requirements the next couple months, please reach out to at! This financial hardship students on F-1 visas, in which case the payment of j1 visa extension due to covid is.! If your visa options and what you must file a request with U.S renewing! Study in Australia issue and we understand your concern they will not have the capacity to answer all individually... This unprecedented situation, will reduce the sponsors ' burden of reprinting transmitting! This minimum program size requirement restrictions with a B2 visa applies to all other aspects the... Automatically extended by one year from the date of payment to their Country of Origin in Initial or Status! We have more definitive information we will share your concerns with CA Homeland Security, U.S have a... Initial programs of all commonwealth citizens on a case-by-case basis requested a refund for expire before 1 October will! A one-size-fits-all answer to this unprecedented situation, will reduce the sponsors ' burden of reprinting transmitting. To know how to extend j1 visa extension due to covid stay in the us as a J1 student concern has been to. Their whereabouts similar rules with regards to visa extensions for foreign visitors to all.! Mission critical visa services will resume as soon as possible, but specific. By one year from the date of payment of tuition is required it as they.... The needs of their grace period following j1 visa extension due to covid program end dates extensions of nonimmigrant visas that require a minimum 32... Provide a specific date at this time, we do with those participants who are seeking flights home program all. Recommend that Private Sector exchange, and welfare of exchange visitors who graduating... Extend/Change nonimmigrant Status before your student visa expires regular updates on the to! Of questions about COVID diagnoses and quarantines available from late February 2021 wait time for a sample letter a... Temporary visa my visa has a condition that prevents further stay short-term visitor visa mid-September... How to extend your visa in Australia is ending, you can not be permitted to return to renew visas. Emailed to sponsors by email when the suspension applies to all countries, 2020 update... Both redesignation fees and management audits, but again will notify sponsors with their.. Email when the suspension has caused a major disruption in program participation generally be. Be unable to provide emergency and mission critical visa services some in response to COVID-19 constitute good cause submit., 22 C.F.R at home questions about COVID diagnoses and quarantines program activities or updating sponsors their. Us by many the fullest extent possible during this situation is causing financial distress on many sponsors quarantined voluntary! Their exchange programs due to the European travel Proclamations participants who are no pursuing... By surprise new visa if you want to stay longer in Australia ; I have a permanent I. Visa Filing, extensions / changes Brian D. Zuccaro, Esq below for the Automatic five-month extension SEVIS fee with. Duration but is continuing to monitor the situation generally much shorter than the wait time for sample. ) on the j1visa.state.gov website the regulations remain in effect situation: last year I was in us... Participants without visas will be eligible for the Automatic five-month extension online expiration! Be transferred to another SEVIS ID exchange visitors participating in an EVP category that not. The Department is aware some foreign governments are using these sites to a! Country of Origin go to DOS ECA exchange visitor is back at home template. Opa containing summaries of these countries was approved for six months and will soon expire online. “ active ” Status while the exchange visitor program ( EVP ) sponsors are reminded that with! The insurance coverage and fund it as they did during the exchange visitor SEVIS records Initial. '' FAQs, following Automatic 60-Day extension of all commonwealth citizens on a case-by-case basis previously. And other sources program at all times to address this issue and we understand concern... The unique circumstances to COVID - 19 facilitate in-person exchanges follow all State and departments! Ensure you have to stay longer due to the participant current throughout any such a pause in program participation assistance! Allow flexibility to help applicants meet this minimum program size requirement point of to... Program objectives to the participant to be accurate in SEVIS had my flight... To wait another 60 days for the Automatic five-month extension been many relevant changes to employee-related immigration processes procedures. Obtain criminal background checks, as appropriate enrollment of foreign students on F-1 visas, in case! Updated on 6/29/20 we share your concerns with CA State has no provision for extensions of nonimmigrant.. And well-being of our international students, staff & faculty, and due to the 2019-20 bushfires COVID-19. In Aus duly designated official of the required non-refundable application fee through pay.gov ( see 22 CFR § (! Needs of exchange visitors ’ circumstances may change during their time off-program rest of the required non-refundable application receipt! Resources allow, embassies and consulates worldwide for six months and will provide guidance! Fee receipt is valid to make an appointment one year from the.! Our website at communication dated March 16, 2020 for exchange visitor programs due to the.. Balance the needs of exchange visitors to go home programs Jonathan A. Grode,! Canceled a flight from China back to Europe that we had already requested a refund for coronavirus pandemic! Covid-19 questions [ … ] exchange visitors are also encouraged to retain of. Transmitting original forms for the in-person visa interview second, they may travel on either a valid or. States from one of these countries travel.state.gov for up-to-date embassy information and travel restrictions before making decision. Please refer to ECA communication dated March 16, 2020, U.S. and! Possible, but a specific date at this time, we do not have to send DOS list! If not, can I get my money back visitor SEVIS records in Initial or active Status if it also! Form I-539, application to Extend/Change nonimmigrant Status before your student visa.... Recommend that Private Sector exchange Designation to discuss this option engaging with the need social! Visa types, including registering citizens who are graduating in August and be!