Winter Term 2022 FAQs for New Students

Congratulations from the International Center on your admission to the University of Michigan! We are looking forward to welcoming you to campus for the Winter 2022 Term.

If you do not plan to come to campus for the Winter 2022 term, and are considering remote study from your home country, be sure to check with your academic program for details on online course availability and to ensure that your proposed schedule meets program requirements.

The information below is for new students only, including transfer and change of level students who have previously studied in the U.S. 

 

Information for New F-1 and J-1 Students Planning Come To Campus for the Winter Term

Can I choose online classes only if I come to campus this Winter?

No, at least one of your classes must be in-person or hybrid. You will see codes for your classes that will allow you to determine whether or not a particular course is considered to be in-person, mixed (hybrid) or online. *This guidance does not apply to SEVIS transfer and Change of Level students - please refer to the Transfers and Other Special Situations' section below.

  • New F-1 students: Be sure to select at least one in-person or hybrid class (at least three credit hours) in order to protect your immigration status. You must enroll full-time.
  • New J-1 students: Be sure to select at least one in-person or hybrid class (at least three credit hours) in order to protect your immigration status. Since the Department of State only permits a “limited amount of distance learning” for new J-1 students, we also recommend selecting additional in-person or hybrid classes if possible. You must enroll full-time.

Will I be able to obtain a visa in time to come to U-M for Winter Term?

Visa services at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Though many U.S. embassies and consulates have resumed routine visa services, local conditions and restrictions continue to impact availability of sufficient visa appointments.  Check with the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest you to find out more about their plans and about your options for scheduling an appointment for a visa interview. Try to schedule your visa interview appointment as soon as possible, since they may still be delays due to backlogs and physical distancing protocols at embassies and consulates. In some cases, the option to schedule a visa interview through “expedited processing” may be available.

Will my plans to come to campus be affected by travel restrictions?

Current travel restrictions may affect international students traveling from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabw, should they fly to the US prior to 12:01 a.m. on December 31, 2021.

Will I need a new I-20 confirming that U-M is offering in-person and hybrid classes for Winter Term 2022?

No. Current DHS guidance does not require this. You can use the most recent I-20 you received from U-M to enter the U.S. If you want, you can also download and print this letter, which explains U-M’s plans for the Winter Term. You are also encouraged to print a copy of your class schedule from Wolverine Access to show, if requested. It should clearly indicate your in-person/hybrid (mixed) course selections.

I haven’t received my I-20 or DS-2019 yet? What should I do?

If you are an undergraduate student, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If you are a Rackham Graduate School student, contact the Rackham Admissions Office. If you are a non-Rackham graduate student, please contact your specific admissions office.

When should I plan to arrive on campus?

You should plan to arrive on campus no later than the reporting date (program start date) on your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Classes for most programs begin on January 5, 2022, and your program start date may be earlier than this to allow for orientation and check-in. However, as you plan your travel, please remember that the most University offices will be closed during the Term Break. The International Center will close on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 5 p.m. and will re-open on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 8 a.m..

Students who are unable to arrive on time can also consider studying remotely for the Winter Term and coming to campus for the Fall Term, or deferring their admission to a future term. Discuss these options with the unit that admitted you since this may not be possible for all students.

Is COVID-19 vaccination required by the U.S. or by U-M?

  • Other vaccinations are also recommended for U-M students. Learn more by reading this information from University Health Service.

Will I need to quarantine once I arrive in the U.S.?

You should follow the Post-Arrival Guidelines explained in U.S. and U-M COVID-19 Policies: Pre- and Post- Arrival Information

Am I required to report to the International Center after arrival?

New F-1 and J-1 international students are required to complete an immigration check-in process. Due to the on-going pandemic, the check-in will be online. Mandatory Immigration Check-in for Students explains how to complete your check-in.

 

Health Insurance

Will the mandatory U-M International Health Insurance plan cover COVID-19 testing and treatment?

Yes. The International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Plan covers testing and treatment. GradCare also covers COVID-19 testing and treatment. Please review the health insurance FAQs for details. If you still have questions, contact the International Center’s Health Insurance Advisor.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Contact the International Center Insurance Advisor.

 

Transfers and Other Special Situations

What if I am currently in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status?

Your admissions office can advise you on your eligibility to transfer your F-1 or J-1 status from your current U.S. institution to the University of Michigan. They can advise you if you are also a current U-M student starting a new degree or program level. If you are an undergraduate student, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If you are a Rackham Graduate School student, contact the Rackham Admissions Office. If you are a non-Rackham graduate student, please contact your specific admissions office.

I am a Transfer/Change of Level student and plan to come to the U.S. to study for Winter Term 2022.

After you have arrived in the U.S. and completed the online mandatory immigration check-in, your transfer or change of educational level will be completed. You may choose any combination of in-person, hybrid or online courses (including all online) as long as you maintain a full course of study (or have an approved Reduced Course Load). However, you should check with your academic unit to make sure that your proposed course schedule, including your choices of in-person, mixed (hybrid) or remote classes, meets their requirements for your degree program.

I am a Transfer/Change of Level student and plan to pursue remote study from my home country during Winter Term 2022.

Please notify the U-M unit that admitted you that you plan to spend the Winter Term outside the United States. You may take as many or as few credits as you want, but be sure to check with your academic program as you plan your course schedule for the Winter Term. Your academic program may require you to enroll for a specific number of credits.

U-M will not be able to complete your transfer or your change of educational level until you enter the U.S. for the Fall Term or another future term, so your SEVIS record will remain in initial status. This means that the F-1 immigrations regulations will not apply to you. U-M’s mandatory health insurance requirement will also not apply to you. As soon as you decide when you will return to campus, notify the U-M unit that admitted you so that a new I-20 can be prepared for you. You will then use that I-20 to re-enter the United States. You will only need to apply for a new visa if your current visa is not valid.

I am currently in the U.S. in another nonimmigrant status (H-1B, H-4, TN, etc.). What should I do?

Please contact the International Center at [email protected]. Your options and course of action depends on many variables, and an adviser can help outline the issues so you can make an informed decision.

 

Information for New Students Planning to Study Remotely for the Winter Term

Can I begin my U-M program online and come to U-M for the Fall 2022 Term, or a later term?

This may be possible. Be sure to check with your academic program for details on online course availability and to ensure that your proposed schedule meets program requirements. You may also have the option of deferring your admission to a future term. This is also something to discuss with the U-M unit that admitted you.

If I pursue remote study from my home county this Winter, will I receive a new I-20 or DS-2019?

Yes, you will receive a new I-20 or DS-2019 with a new start date, which will allow you to enter the U.S. for a future term. While you are studying remotely from outside the U.S., your SEVIS record will be in initial F-1 or J-1 status. Your active F-1 or J-1 status will begin when you use your I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the U.S. for a future term.

If remote study from my home county is possible for me, am I required to enroll full-time?

Since you will not be in active F-1 or J-1 status, F-1 or J-1 immigration requirements will not apply to you, so you will not be required to enroll full-time. You may take as many or as few credits as you want, and these can all be online. However, be sure to check with your academic program as you plan your course schedule for the Fall Term. Your academic program may require you to enroll for a specific number of credits.

Should I still apply for my F-1 or J-1 visa?

Plan to apply for your visa early if you plan to come to U-M for the Fall 2022 Term, but remember that visas will not be issued more than 120 days prior to the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Check with the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest you to find out more about their plans and about your options for scheduling an appointment for a visa interview

If I study remotely from outside the U.S., will I be required to enroll in the international student health insurance plan?

No. The health insurance requirement will not apply to you since you will not be in active F-1 or J-1 status. Once you enter the U.S. for the Fall 2022 Term (or another future term), you will be automatically enrolled in the mandatory health insurance plan. If you have more questions about U-M health insurance plans, including coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment, please review the health insurance FAQs.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

For questions about your U-M application, acceptance, matriculation, or the processing of immigration documents, undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Rackham Graduate School students should contact the Rackham Admissions Office. If you are a non-Rackham graduate student, please contact your specific admissions office. For questions about remote study or deferring admission, Rackham graduate students should contact their graduate program, and all other students should contact their admitting office.

If you have questions about the U.S. visa process or other immigration related issues, please contact the International Center at [email protected].

 

Last Updated: 12/13/2021