International Students & Scholars Office: Summer Travel Reminder and Fall 2021 Considerations
We hope this message finds you well! ISSO would like to provide you with a few important updates and reminders as we look forward to the Fall semester. We appreciate that many of you are already outside of the US, and those of you who have remained in the US might be considering summer travel.
Travel Advisory – for students currently in the US considering international travel over the summer
Travel remains very challenging due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Any international travel at this time comes with significant risk. We recommend that you review our Current Travel Advisory for important reminders if you are considering international travel over the summer. If you must travel and your visa has expired, you should be prepared for significant delays and backlogs at US Embassies/Consulates around the world. It is important that you consider all of these factors to ensure that you can return to campus for the Fall semester.
Travel Considerations – for students studying LfA from outside of the US
Travel remains very challenging due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend that you review our Current Travel Advisory as you plan your return to campus. As you are likely aware, if your visa has expired, you may face significant delays in scheduling a visa appointment at a US Embassies/Consulates. You should look at the website of the Embassy/Consulate where you plan to apply for your visa for updated instructions regarding visa renewal. Make sure you have appropriate documentation needed to return to the US.
Fall 2021 Considerations
With President Brown’s announcement of a return to residential education, you should be making plans to be on campus this Fall. Interim COVID-related SEVP flexibility with SEVIS records ends once BU returns to normal operations. To help you understand how this might affect you as you are considering Summer travel and Fall enrollment options, we encourage you to review the recording of our Q&A Session:
ISSO’s Menu of Remote Services and FAQs
ISSO remains available to assist you with your immigration, employment and travel questions. You can visit our Menu of Remote Services to learn how to contact us. You can also contact your ISSO advisor if you have specific questions, and you can schedule an appointment with your ISSO advisor if you have more detailed questions. ISSO continues to experience a high volume of inquires, so appointments may not be available immediately and it may take your advisor a few days to respond to your e-mail inquires. We appreciate your patience. We also suggest that you review our FAQs and Travel Considerations page, as it will address many common questions we are receiving, including detailed instructions on how to request a Travel Signature.
The staff of the ISSO hope that you are safe, healthy, and are having a productive semester, and we wish you an enjoyable summer.
The Staff of the ISSO
Welcome, New Students!
Riho Imada (from left) and Akari Noguchi, both students at the Center for English Language and Orientation Programs, and Andrew Burwash (CAS'18) at the International Student Reception, held September 4 at the Trustee Ballroom. Photo by Jackie Riccardi
