On July 6, the US State Department and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)issued announcements in preparation for the resumption of the F-1 visa program in Fall 2020. We understand that the new guidance may be creating confusion around your ability to study in the United States and at Wayland Academy. The information that follows is offered to help our students and families from across the world prepare for the upcoming fall. We will continue to update this page and the
Big Red Return site as new information becomes available.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified the policy related to online programs. DHS re-affirmed the existing regulation that students may not travel to the US to participate in a program that is 100 percent online, but it still provides a great deal of flexibility for students and schools. Students must engage in an in-person component to be eligible to stay in or re-enter the USA on an F-1 visa.
Despite uncertainty when travel may resume, however Wayland is preparing for the 2020-2021 academic year beginning in August and intends to offer in person and online classes.
DHS is requiring all F-1 schools – including Wayland – to re-issue I-20s to confirm that at least a portion of classes will be in-person and that the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.
Wayland is presently updating and reissuing all I-20 Forms to reflect these changes. In keeping with current guidance, new I-20s will be delivered electronically via email addresses on record. Please ensure that Wayland has your most up-to-date contact information if you will not be using your @wayland.org address. Per SEVIS directions, students who require new visas and are outside of the U.S. will be prioritized.
We anticipate that the US State Department is planning to open up for processing new visas for students starting in Fall 2020, indicating that they are visas in time for the Fall Semester.