The recent announcement by the USA that it will no longer allow F-1 and M-1 visa holders to stay in the country if they are only taking online courses has created a stir. Many universities across the USA have planned to provide online classes exclusively for the fall semester due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, creating a difficult situation for international students.
Understanding The Announcement
As per the USA’s new directive, students outside the USA intending to undertake all their classes online will not be admitted into the country during the fall semester. Additionally, visas will also not be issued to students wishing to take up online-only models due to the global pandemic.
The announcement further stated that active students under F-1 and M-1 visas enrolled in these programs must either leave the country or consider other options like transferring to a school providing in-person instruction, to maintain lawful status. Although the current USA regulations bar F-1 status students from attending online classes, exceptions are usually made allowing them to take one class or three credit hours online.
The Impact on International Students
In the 2018-19 academic year, over a million international students, making up 5.5% of the total higher education population in the USA, were affected by this change. These students also contributed a whopping $44.7 billion to the country’s economy in 2018.
India, being the second-largest source of foreign students in the USA after China, will be heavily affected by the new regulations. Other countries significantly impacted include South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.
Potential Consequences
Students failing to find alternative options could face immigration consequences, including but not limited to, initiation of removal proceedings. This presents a challenging scenario for international students as international travel is already hampered due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alternative Solutions for Affected Students
Students affected by these changes may consider switching to visitor status. However, this solution is not viable long-term since visitor status is issued for short periods, and approval is not guaranteed.
A Possible Way Forward
Given the extraordinary circumstances posed by the pandemic, it might be beneficial for the USA to reconsider these regulations for F-1 and M-1 students. The current one-size-fits-all approach risks creating continuous disruption, complex administrative challenges within the USA, and potential diplomatic strains with other nations like India and China. A more flexible approach that accommodates the unique needs of international students in a pandemic environment could be a more equitable solution.
