Spring 2021 International Graduate Enrollment Options
Despite these uncertain times, we hope that you are excited about the Spring 2021 academic semester at the University of Pittsburgh. Although we are excited to welcome you to campus, we know that doing so may not be possible for some of you. The options listed below will ensure that you will have the best Pitt experience, even if you are unable to arrive in-person to a Pitt campus this spring.
To all air travelers entering the U.S.: Effective January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test for all air passengers arriving into the U.S. The test must be conducted with a specimen collected within 3 calendar days preceding the flight.
To nonimmigrant travelers from Brazil, Iran, and China: The Presidential Proclamation which establishes a travel ban from these areas is still in effect. Therefore, if you intend to travel to the U.S. from one of these locations, you must first travel to a third country and remain there for 14 full days before traveling into the U.S.
To F-1 travelers from the Schengen Region, United Kingdom and Ireland: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued the following document which verifies that F-1 students and their dependents may travel to the U.S. from the Schengen region, U.K., and Ireland under a National Interest Exception to the Presidential Proclamation travel ban. Students traveling from those countries are encouraged to print and carry this document when traveling into the U.S.
Notice about SEVP Guidance: The U.S. Government first issued guidance regarding special COVID-19 related immigration standards in March 2020. These standards were in effect from March through the end of summer terms across the U.S. On July 6, 2020 and July 7, 2020, SEVP issued new guidance for Fall 2020, which significantly changed the March guidance. A lawsuit was filed against the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institution of Technology, challenging the government's guidance. On July 14, 2020, the Government and universities entered into an agreement which rescinded the July 6 and 7th guidance and which reinstated the March 2020 Guidance.
PLEASE NOTE: SEVP has indicated that for the Spring 2021 term, non-immigrant students should continue to abide by SEVP guidance originally issued in March 2020. Therefore, the FAQ’s below follow the SEVP Fall 2020 Guidance and FAQ’S. Students should frequently review the FAQs below that are pertinent to their situation. At this time, OIS recommends all students travel with a copy of this Spring 2021 Letter for Students.
Flex@Pitt
- NEW AND CONTINUING STUDENTS: The University’s instructional model, Flex@Pitt, is fully supportive of international students and in compliance with Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement guidance. Flex@Pitt ensures that in-person learning experiences will be accessible to all students and enables instructors and students to prepare for all modes of teaching and learning, including in-person and hybrid/blended activities. Robust resources—including new classroom equipment and health and safety guidelines—will facilitate dynamic modes of teaching and learning activities inside and outside the classroom; students should work with their academic advisor to select the courses most appropriate to their academic path.