ALCI COVID-19 FAQs

• Newly Admitted Students

• I am a newly admitted student . When will face to face classes be available?

  • The ALCI is currently offering a hybrid class schedule (face to face and virtual classes).  The hope is that all classes will be face to face in Fall 2021 based on current pandemic predictions.  A final answer should be available in the next few months.

  • Virtual classes are available and an I-20 and visa will not be required to attend classes from your home country.  

• I am a newly admitted student and am thinking about deferring my admission due to COVID-19 concerns. What can I do?

  • We recommend you wait until the face to face class decision is announced.  Advisors are always available to discuss different options.  Please email alci@csusm.edu with your questions.

  • To request a deferral and a new I-20, students must contact ALCI Admissions at ereed@csusm.edu. 

  •  Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed that DSOs can issue electronic I-20s due to the pandemic.  This means that your updated I-20 can be emailed to you.
    
    

• What is the current status of U.S. visa services in my country?

  Visa services vary by country.   Consulates and embassies have been allowed to resume service and each location determines what services they can offer at this time.  For updated visa appointment availability, you can check your  local consulate’s visa wait times here. 

• I have an unexpired F-1 visa from my last school that I attended. Do I need to request a new visa since I will be receiving a new I-20 from CSUSM?

  Students with a valid F-1 visa from a previous school should be able to use their current visa with an ALCI I-20, so long as the one you currently have is unexpired. However, we always recommends checking with your local U.S. consulate or embassy to verify this first. 

• I went to renew my visa, but now it is under administrative processing. What can I do?

  Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. However, it can take longer. The U.S. Department of State recommends that the applicant wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later, before making inquiries about status of administrative processing.  For more information, review the  U.S. State Department Administrative Processing information. 

  Also, please email ereed@csusm.edu if you have been selected for administrative processing. 

Current Students

• Will CSUSM be open for Fall 2021?

  • We are currently offering a hybrid class schedule (face to face and virtual classes).  The hope is that all classes will be face to face in Fall 2021 based on current pandemic predictions.  A final answer should be available in the next few months.

• May I travel out of the U.S. and return to take classes?

  There is a great deal of uncertainty (risk) regarding travel outside of the United States.   We cannot guarantee  that students will be allowed to reenter the U.S. due to travel restrictions, flight uncertainty, and COVID-19 testing.   Please email ereed@csusm.edu with your details and Erin will assist you.

   

• Will I be able to return to the U.S. if I am currently continuing my studies outside the U.S. as a result of COVID-19?

  Students currently maintaining their F-1 records remain eligible  for admission into the U.S.  However, because of the changing array of travel restrictions, students should refer to their local  U.S. embassy’s website through the  U.S. Department of State  for any updates about visa issuance. The  U.S. Department of Homeland Security  and the  Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Travel Notices  websites  also provide information about current travel restrictions to the U.S.  

• Where can I find the most current information regarding inbound travel to the United States from regions affected by COVID-19?

  Refer to the  Center for Disease Control and Prevention -  information for travelers . 

• My family and I are concerned about COVID-19 in the U.S. Should I travel to the U.S. during this time?

  This is a personal decision, but we recommend consulting regularly with the California Department of Public Health’s website for up-to-date information about the risks of COVID-19 in this region. 

• Will there be any changes in the fee structure, if the classes are conducted online?

  Please contact you ALCI Advisor.

   

• I am unable to book a visa appointment due to U.S. embassy/consulate delays in my region. What can I do?

   You are required to have a valid, unexpired visa in order to request re-entry to the U.S. to resume studies.  If you are currently in the U.S. and your visa has expired or is expiring soon,  you are eligible to remain in the U.S. as long as you are maintaining your F-1 status. The  visa must be valid in order to enter/reenter the U.S.,  but does  not  need to be valid/unexpired to maintain F-1 status while in the U.S. For additional questions please email ereed@csusm.edu .