COVID-19 Response & Updates
The Division of Global Engagement and its offices are fully operational. Our offices in the Student Union Room 136 are staffed, but to ensure safety and understanding we are meeting with students remotely via Microsoft Teams. To schedule a virtual appointment, please click here. We are continuing to provide the same servieces to our students and scholars.
While you are making your plans for the for the upcoming semesters, please continue communicating with us and inform us of your plans. We can help.
The Division of Global Engagement is discouraging F-1 students and J-1 students and scholars from traveling outside of the U.S. during semester breaks due to rapidly changing immigration regulations and safety concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please click here.
Please note that this situation is a fluid one and therefore, you should make sure to check the University's COVID-19 website frequently and follow the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the Division of Global Engagement, UL Lafayette Study Abroad and the Office of International Affairs on social media.
The health and safety of our students, employees, and visitors are of the utmost importance to the University. If you have questions about how the Division of Global Engagement is handling safety or operations for COVID-19, contact us via email at globalengagement@louisiana.edu or call 337-482-6819.
SEVP Update for International Students and Scholars (Restrictions for online courses)
SEVP Update: 05/12/2023
President Biden announced the termination of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency, effective on May 11, 2023, following the termination of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023.
While the Student and Exchange Visitor Program's (SEVP) COVID-19 guidance is terminated as of May 11, 2023, Active F and M nonimmigrant students will be able to complete the 2022-23 academic year under the COVID-19 flexibilities through the 2023 summer semester.
However, Active F and M nonimmigrant students will not be permitted to count online classes toward a full course of study in excess of the regulatory limits stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v) for the 2023-24 academic year.
Initial or re-entering students must enroll in programs complying with the regulatory limits for distance learning as stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G).
Quarantine Information for Students Arriving from International Travel
The Division of Global Engagement is working with Student Health Services to help ensure the safety of our students. The University requires all students arriving in the U.S. from international travel (continuing students and new students) to complete the Quarantine & Isolation Form and to follow all of the guidelines listed here. Vaccinated students should upload their records to the SHS portal by following the directions here. It is important to note that students arriving from international travel must remain in quarantine until they receive a release from Student Health Services. Please visit Student Health Services' website for more information.
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions for International Students
Prior to entering the U.S., all students should review the CDC's website for federal requirements to enter the U.S.
From November 8, 2021 through May 11, 2023, Presidential Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021, Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic, required all "noncitizens who are nonimmigrants" entering the United States through an air POE to show proof that they were fully vaccinated with an acceptable COVID vaccine. Presidential Proclamation of May 9, 2023, Revoking the Air Travel COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement, revokes Proclamation 10294's vaccination requirement effective 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 12, 2023.
Study Abroad Information
The Study Abroad Office is making arrangements for our summer 2024 programs. Although, we are confident they will be able to go, we will continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19. Our European programs are located in London, Paris and Florence. We also have a program that travels to various areas of Costa Rica. We are excited to offer an Arabic studies program in Rabat, Morocco.
Contact Dr. Rose Honegger in the Study Abroad Office:
Safety Information and Quarantine Policy
The University has developed a quarantine policy for students, faculty, and staff returning from international travel that follows CDC guidelines. Click here for safety information, the University’s quarantine policy, and resources for those who experience COVID-19 symptoms. Students who do not feel well for any reason should stay home. The DGE understands that students may feel fearful and anxious during this uncertain time. Your mental and physical health are of the utmost imporance to us. The UL Lafayette Counseling and Testing Center is offering remote sessions. Learn more.
Health Insurance
International students on F-1 and J-1 visas enrolled in classes for the Fall 2023 semester are automatically enrolled in the international student insurance plan through Wellfleet starting on August 18, 2023. Students who wish to waive the University’s insurance coverage can complete an online waiver on Wellfleet’s website. Students who wish to waive/decline the University’s insurance plan, must have comparable coverage to Wellfleet. To complete the waiver, please click here AFTER August 21, 2023. The deadline to complete the waiver to decline the University’s health insurance coverage for the Fall 2023 semester is September 18, 2023.
Continuing International Students & Scholars
While you are making your plans for this Fall, please continue communicating with us and inform us about your plans. We can help. Contact us via oia@louisiana.edu, call 337-482-6819 or schedule a virtual appointment by clicking here.
Summer 2023 Information
International students in the U.S. on F-1 and J-1 visas are not required to enroll in Summer classes UNLESS it is their first semester of enrollment at the University. If an F-1 or J-1 student begins in a Summer semester, the student must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours. All future summer sessions are optional. During the summer semester, students may remain in the U.S. without enrolling or may travel outside of the U.S.
Students who decide to travel abroad must read through all guidance provided here and must complete the Request for Travel Authorization and bring their SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 to the DGE at least 8 days prior to their departure and no sooner than one month prior to their departure so that our staff can generate the travel authorization. Graduate assistants must have permission from their supervisors and the Graduate School if they wish to leave before their appointments end for the semester or arrive after their appointments begin for the next semester. Our office requires both a departure and return date for all students who travel. Travel authorizations are valid for 12 months. Please note that students must be registered full-time (9 hours graduate students and 12 hours undergraduate students) for the next semester in order to receive a travel authorization.
Fall 2023 Information
- Your Physical Presence in the U.S.: Fall 2023 classes begin on Monday, August 21. To enroll in on-campus (OC), hybrid (HB), or hyFlex (HF) classes, you must be present in the United States no later than August 25 (Graduate students) or September 8 (Undergraduates) and enroll full-time (9 credit hours for graduate students and 12 credit hours for undergraduates). Students with graduate assistantships must be in the U.S. prior to August 16. If you anticipate arriving after these dates, you must contact oia@louisiana.edu. Graduate students must also contact gradschool@louisiana.edu.
- Online & Remote Course Enrollment: SEVP has returned to the pre-COVID regulation restricting online coursework. For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the full course of study requirement.
- Your F-1 Visa: Your F-1 visa does not need to be renewed unless you are outside of the U.S. and the F-1 visa is expired. Students who have an expired F-1 visa and are currently in the U.S. are not required to renew their visa unless they depart the U.S. and need to reenter. For information on the visa renewal process, please click here.
- Passport: Please remember that your passport must be valid at all times while in the U.S. It is your responsibility to keep track of your passport’s expiration date and to contact the appropriate authorities in your home country or embassy/consulate of your home country in the U.S. in order to renew your passport. Due to the pandemic, there are delays in passport renewal services around the world. Make sure to provide the DGE with proof that you have requested passport renewal before your passport expires. Please email proof that you have requested a renewal of your passport from country's embassy in the U.S. to oia@louisiana.edu.
- I-20 Program End Date: If your I-20 will expire within 30 days, please submit a completed Graduate or Undergraduate I-20 Extension Form and all required documents listed on the form to oia@louisiana.edu. This form will need to be signed by multple campus departments. At this time, we are accepting electronic signatures (including advisor's signature) on the form.
- Travel: Our office typically does not approve travel during the academic semseter (only during semester breaks, holidays, and Summer). However, if you have an emergency and need to travel, please review the information here and complete our Request for Travel Authorization and email it to oia@louisiana.edu least 8 business days before you travel.
Graduate Students
The Graduate School is providing updates regularly for current students. They can answer questions about graduate studies and graduate assistantships.Visit the Graduate School’s website for more information.
Incoming (New) International Students & Scholars
The Division of Global Engagement is still available to meet with students in person and virtually through Microsoft Teams. Please click here to schedule an appointment. While you are making your plans for the Fall 2023 semester, please communicate with us and inform us about your plans. We're here to support you and help you realize your dream of studying in the United States. Contact us via email at oia@louisiana.edu or call 337-482-6819. All new students are required to complete our online International Orientation available in Moodle (accessed via ULink).
Academic Calendars -- Click here for the University's academic calendars.
Changes to English Language Proficiency Tests -- The University has approved the temporary use of the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores.
Prospective Graduate Students - The Graduate School is providing updates regularly for prospective students. They can answer questions about graduate studies and graduate assistantships. Please visit the Graduate School's website or email gradschool@louisiana.edu for more information.
Students who have been admitted and received an I-20 for an upcoming semester, should follow the instructions here to secure an F-1 visa in their home country. Students who are unable to apply for a visa in their home country due to U.S. embassy closures, may be eligible to apply in a third country. For instructions on applying for an F-1 visa in a third country, click here.
J-1 scholars and students (exchange visitors) who have received a DS-2019 from the University, should follow the instructions here to secure a J-1 visa in their home country. Exchange visitors who are unable to apply for a visa in thier home country due to U.S. embassy closures, may be eligible to apply in a third country. For instructions on applying for a J-1 visa in a third country, click here. Additionally, J-1 scholars and interns will need to determine if their hosting faculty or research center at UL Lafayette is able to faciliate and support their program objectives.
Processing J-1 & F-1 Visas
During the pandemic many embassies closed or restricted visa processing services resulting in backlogs of visa appointments.
If you are unable to obtain your visa in time for the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019, contact the person who issued your immigration document to request a deferral of attendance:
- J-1 Exchange Program: Dr. Rose Honegger at exchange@louisiana.edu
- Intensive English Program: Megan Miller at iep@louisiana.edu
- Graduate Admissions: Celina Bernal at celina.bernal@louisiana.edu
- Undergraduate Admissions: Kristina Bernard at intladmissions@louisiana.edu
Please note that students are not eligible to begin a degree or exchange program on a visitor/tourist (B1/B2) visa or on the visa waiver (ESTA) program. Therefore, if you intend to enroll at UL Lafayette, you must wait to get your F-1 or J-1 visa before entering the U.S.
If you are a new international student outside the U.S. and are unable to secure the F-1 visa necessary to enter the country, you may be able to enroll remotely depending on your academic department’s approval and course availability.
Resources
U.S. Department of State Emergency Hotline:
- From the U.S. & Canada - 1-888-407-4747
- From Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
UL Lafayette News and Updates Regarding COVID-19
Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Hotline
- 1-800-985-5990