Contacting the International Student Program
You are not alone!
The International Student Program (ISP) remains committed to assisting our international students in the US and overseas! Please visit our Appointment and Drop-In page for information on how to schedule in-person and virtual appointments and drop-ins at the International Student Program office.
EMERGENCY LINE
For emergencies or after hour emergencies,
please call 949-451-5693.
COVID-19 Testing Requirements for US Entry:
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) requires all travelers to the US from overseas destinations show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation showing recovery from COVID-19.
Detailed information including, specific type of COVID-19 test and timing requirements can be found at the CDC Federal Register Notice under the "FAQ" document. This order has been updated as of December 2, 2021.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for US Entry
Effective November 8, 2021 at 12:01 am (EST): All non-immigrant travelers to the US will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane bound for the US. The Presidential Proclamation Advancing Safe Resumption of Global Travel ends previous country-specific travel bans and implements a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all non-immigrant travelers regardless of country of origin.
Full details about this requirement can be found at the CDC and Department of State websites.
Accepted COVID-19 Vaccines:
Only FDA and World Health Organization (WHO) approved or authorized emergency use vaccinations will be accepted. You can find a list of approved COVID-19 vaccinations at the CDC Travel Vaccination Requirements page.
Information about what constitutes "fully vaccinated" can be found at the CDC website.
Limited Exceptions for COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement to Enter the US:
There are a very limited set of exceptions from the vaccination for non-immigrants. These include exceptions for children under 18 and those traveling on a visa other than "B" visa from countries with low vaccine availability (as determined by the CDC). Please see CDC Limited COVID-19 Country List for a list of countries meeting this requirement.
Other exceptions may include certain COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, those with medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination, humanitarian or emergency exception with accompanying government letter.
Land & Ferry Entry from Canada and Mexico:
The Presidential Proclamation of October 25, 2021 only applies to air travel. Travel restrictions from Canada and Mexico are currently in effect until January 21, 2022. Travel for F-1 visa students IS allowed as this is considered "essential travel".
On October 10, 2021 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that effective January 2022 all travelers entering from Canada and Mexico will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. More details should be announced.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Information
F-1 Visa Applications at US Embassies/Consulates:
Helpful COVID-19 Immigration/Travel Websites
Irvine Valley College COVID-19 Resource Page
For the most up-to-date information related to IVC's regulations regarding COVID-19 safety protocols including any mask and vaccination requirements, please visit COVID-19 Updates and Resources.
IVC will continue to update students via email. Students are encouraged to check their "@ivc.edu" email to receive important updates from IVC and the International Student Program.
SEVIS F-1 Visa COVID-19 Enrollment Guidance Extended to June 2022
F-1 Visa COVID-19 Enrollment Requirements for Fall 2021:
IVC will be offering a hybrid mode of instruction in the spring 2022 semester. IVC continues to monitor the guidance from the US CDC and our local health agencies in making decisions for a return to campus. The Enrollment Guidance for fall 2021 is extended to the spring 2022 semester; please review the document below for your spring 2022 enrollment regulations.:
Travel Restrictions to the US
On November 26, and at the advice of the President’s Chief Medical Advisor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Administration announced it will restrict travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe starting on November 29 due to concerns over the new Omicron variant. These travel restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain other categories of travelers. The full text of the Proclamation is available on the White House website. Travel Advisories for each of these countries are Level 4 � Do Not Travel � in line with CDC Travel Health Notifications (THNs) and given flight cancellations in some countries.
For more information, please visit the US Department of State.