International Student & Scholar Services

Since January 26, travelers entering the United States have been required to have a negative COVID test.

During the pandemic, there are several presidential proclamations that restrict entry to the United States. However, if you are traveling as an F-1 student from the restricted countries of China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the UK, Ireland and India, you qualify for the National Interest Exception. Please see the information below as well as the Travel Checklist.

• F-1 international students with I-20 start dates of August 23, 2021, traveling from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the UK, Ireland, and India may enter the United States between July 24 and August 23, 2021. The same is true for any F-2 dependents.
• F-1 international students with active F-1 records traveling from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, or India are exempt from the travel restriction if they are entering during the 30 days before the resumption of their studies, which will be between July 31 and August 30, 2021. The same is true for any F-2 dependents.  
• F-1 international students with active F-1 records traveling from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, or Ireland are exempt from the travel restriction and can enter the United States without any entry date restrictions. The same is true for any F-2 dependents.
• J-1 international students may be eligible for a National Interest Exception and should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for more information.
• F-1 international students with active F-1 records who are subject to the travel restriction and plan to enter the United States early than July 31 and all J-1 international students or scholars must either quarantine in a third country for 14 days or receive a National Interest Exception from the local U.S. embassy.

Please refer to our Travel Checklist for information on what you need to prepare in order to re-enter the United States. Please also check the COVID testing/quarantine requirements for New York State and the CDC website for a list of COVID travel restrictions.

More information regarding vaccine requirements will be provided by the university in mid-June.

Spring 2021
All spring 2021 new/initial international students must be enrolled full-time with at least one in-person hybrid course in order to enter the United States and maintain immigration status.

Fall 2021
Fall 2021 new/initial international students are students who receives an initial I-20 or DS-2019 with a August 2021 start date. This includes all of the following:

• Students who will start their degree in fall 2021
• Students who started their degree online in fall 2020 or spring 2021 
• Students who transfer their F-1 or J-1 immigration record to The New School for fall 2021
• All students returning from a personal leave of absence in fall 2021

In order for your immigration to become active, you must study full-time in the United States for the fall 2021 semester. More information about fall semester in-person classes will be provided soon.

Go to Coming to The New School for additional information for new international students.

Spring 2021 continuing students with an active F-1 or J-1 student status should consider the following:

• You may continue to study completely online in or outside of the United States.
• You do not need to register for an in-person/hybrid course during the spring semester.
• You must continue to be enrolled full-time in order to maintain your status.
• You should review the International Student Travel Checklist if you will travel to the United States for the spring semester.

For fall 2021, The New School's goal is to re-open the New York City campus and return to in-person teaching and learning. Additional information about the requirements for continuing international students will be shared soon.

ISSS will provide students with additional information through detailed email notifications, Zoom live advising sessions, updates on the ISSS website, and @ISSSNewSchool Instagram posts.

• Remote office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT.
• The main phone, 212.229.5592, line is operational.
• For virtual advising by phone or Zoom, make an appointment through Starfish.
• All processing requests can be made through iGlobal.
• All workshops and/or Live Advising Sessions will be held online through Zoom and are advertised on our Instagram and in our newsletters.

NAFSA: Association for International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. Please visit the NAFSA webpage for information on the Biden administration's executive actions and priorities related to international education and immigration.