SEVP confirms that 5-month rule does not apply to F-1 students during COVID-19 crisis

In an FAQ issued on March 23, 2020 the Student & Exchange Visitor Program confirmed that the 5-month rule requiring schools to terminate an F-1 record for a student who is outside the U.S. for more than 5 months should not be applied while COVID-19 measures are in place.  In its FAQ, SEVP stated that "Under current conditions, if an active F student leaves the United States to complete the spring term online, their SEVIS record should remain in Active status and not be terminated. While the temporary measures related to COVID-19 are in place, students deemed to be maintaining status if they are making normal progress in their course of study. For that reason, the five-month temporary absence provision addressed in 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(4) will not apply for students who remain in Active status."