Returning to campus
This page offers additional information specific to international students.
We know that you face additional challenges related to visa services, quarantine requirements, border restrictions, and flight availability. It is our goal to help you navigate these hurdles.
Most of the information below is specific to F-1 students, but travel and border issues also impact other non-residents and global nomads.
On December 9, 2020, The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) reportedly announced a continuation of the fall 2020 guidance as we move into spring 2021. The information below is subject to change pending additional guidance from SEVP.
The U.S. State Department has indicated U.S. Embassies and Consulates are beginning a phased resumption of visa services. Please visit the individual U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s website for information regarding operating status and which services it is currently offering.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program has confirmed that new students, transfer students currently outside the U.S., and students changing to a new educational level who are currently outside the U.S. may not obtain an F-1 visa or enter the U.S. to begin a 100% online program. This includes students who started their academic program online from an international location in fall 2020. This means you must enroll in at least one in-person or hybrid credit.
Please note: You cannot arrive in the middle of the semester after your visa has been issued. If you receive your visa but it is too late to travel to Akron to start classes at the beginning of the semester, please contact us.
The first week of classes for the spring 2021 semester will be held online to allow international students and others traveling from US hot spots to complete quarantine before classes start.
Due to the 14-day self-quarantine period for international travelers, please arrive by the dates posted below:
Quarantine procedures
Online, synchronous orientation will be on January 7. Details to come.
You do not need a U.S. visa to take UA classes online from your home country. This means that you have the flexibility to start your degree program at The University of Akron while at home this fall even if you are unable to schedule a visa appointment, or do not receive a visa.
Please note: Online enrollment may not be available in all countries or in all areas of study. Also, starting your degree online from home also does not guarantee that you will be obtain a visa to study in the USA in the future: all visas are granted at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State.
If you decide to request deferral of your admission to a later semester, please complete the form below that applies to you. Once we receive your deferral form and your deferral has been approved, we will contact you to discuss a new Fall 2021 I-20 or DS-2019.
Please send us your travel plans by filling out this form.
New & returning students (including those who started classes abroad during fall 2020) who do not have a GA contract are required to arrive by January 5, 2021.
Returning students:
Any international student (new or returning) with a GA contract must arrive in Akron by January 4 to complete the quarantine before the first day of in-person classes, per the Graduate School.
Exceptions for students who do not have GA contracts will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the International Center. Contact us.
Please keep in mind that flights to and from the U.S. are limited and some countries have restricted international flights. For the latest information, please visit:
You can also download a summary of the latest global immigration impacts and resources from Fragomen law firm.
In addition, some students from (or traveling through) Brazil, China, Iran, and certain European countries will be subject to an entry ban unless they have spent 14 days outside any of those countries. Please keep these restrictions in mind when planning your travel to the U.S.
Continuing F-1 students returning to the U.S. will need the following documents to apply for reentry to the U.S.:
We strongly recommend that you bring a copy of your class schedule demonstrating your full-time enrollment. New students, transfer students, and change of level students coming from abroad should ensure their schedule shows they will be taking at least one class with an in-person component.
You will need a phone that can be used in the United States to have while you are in transit – to call for an Uber or Lyft or for emergencies.
Our recommendations:
Please note: We can give you a free US SIM card when you get to campus. This is not an endorsement for any specific long-term phone company but is an option to tide you over when you arrive. Our SIMs have a relatively inexpensive plan that you can use while you investigate the phone company that is right for your needs.
Be aware that Ohio currently has a mask mandate in place.
All individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when:
Our recommendation:
You will be expected to wear a mask at the airport when you arrive, so be sure to bring one with you.
We regret that we cannot provide transportation from the airport this semester due to COVID-19.
Our recommendation:
Please note: If you have a friend pick you up from the airport, you may both be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before coming to campus. See the self-quarantine policy.
Emergency contact information:
Carefully review the quarantine requirements for travelers arriving from high-risk areas. At this time, travelers from high-risk areas must self-quarantine and monitor for 14 days before interacting with others on campus.
We encourage you to stay with a friend or relative in the U.S. during the quarantine period, if possible – but, first ensure that area of the U.S. does not have a significant COVID-19 outbreak. Be aware that if your friend’s house is in an area that experiences a virus surge during your quarantine you will be expected to quarantine again when you arrive in Akron.
If you have a contract to live in one of the University residence halls, you will be permitted to stay on campus to complete your quarantine. Be sure to let the Office of Residence Life know your plans.
If you will be living off campus you may prefer to quarantine in a local hotel.
If you will be quarantining on campus (that is, you have a housing assignment) you should already have received instructions from Residence Life outlining how to get your key etc. Contact us asap if you haven’t received this communication.
If you miss your designated time to move into your housing:
If you are living off campus: Please discuss arrangements and expectations with your landlord.
Residence Life has a useful list of "What to Bring", however we know that space is limited in your suitcase so many of the items on the Residence Life list will not fit.
Also, note that some websites in the USA do not accept international credit cards.
Our recommendation:
If you need a specific product, we suggest you bring it with you to use during quarantine, as you will not be able to go shopping (other than online) for the first 14 days you are in Akron. This would include things like contact lens supplies or a specific product that you love to use.
You probably will want to order bedding and towels so they are waiting for you when you arrive.
Students who live on campus:
Please note: that in the U.S., the power plugs and sockets are type A and B. The standard voltage is 120 and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
Other things to bring:
We strongly suggest that you bring a laptop with you on arrival for use during quarantine.
You will be expected to complete the on-campus orientation virtually while in quarantine, and depending on when you arrive, you may need to start classes from quarantine too.
How to access the University of Akron’s wifi:
Orientation:
Please plan ahead to consider how you will access your funds while in quarantine.
Due dates for UA related expenses can be found online.
If you are under 18, be sure to check our website for more information about banking in the USA.
Paying bills
Plan ahead: it is possible that your will need to pay your tuition or room/board expenses while you are in quarantine BEFORE you have opened a bank account.
Opening a bank account in the USA
We suggest that you open a bank account in the USA to manage your finances.
PNC is the official bank of the University of Akron and has several locations around campus.
Our recommendations:
To maintain financial aid if you remain abroad during Spring 2021, you may be required to maintain a full course of study (minimum 12 credit hours for undergraduate and law students; minimum of 9 credit hours for graduate students).
For more information:
You have several options for paying your bill, including applying for the Installment Payment Plan, which allows you to make up to four payments throughout the semester instead of paying all at once.
Choose the payment option that’s best for you:
For more details about each payment option, contact the Office of Student Accounts at cashier@uakron.edu or 330-972-5100.
The University of Akron can only employ students that are inside the U.S. for on-campus employment positions.
To find a position on campus, visit the Student Employment website.
A spokesperson from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) reportedly announced that SEVP’s guidance from March 2020 will remain in effect for Spring 2021. We will update this section if we receive official notice from SEVP.
Meanwhile, we encourage students to plan their enrollment according to guidance below and watch our International Student & Scholar Newsletter* for updates. *you will receive this newsletter weekly once you register for classes
Students currently in Active F-1 status are required to enroll in 9 credits (graduate students) or 12 credits (undergraduate and law students) to maintain F-1 status during Spring 2021. According to the latest guidance from the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), students may temporarily count more than one online class toward a “full course of study” during Spring 2021. See the chart below for details.
Students Currently Outside the U.S. |
Students Currently Inside the U.S. |
||||
NEW (this includes transfer students and students changing educational levels) |
CONTINUING Students who were actively enrolled in a full course of study on March 9, 2020, and who are continuing at the same academic level |
CONTINUING Students who were actively enrolled in a full course of study on March 9, 2020, and are continuing at the same academic level |
TRANSFER Students who have been maintaining F-1 status in the U.S. since March 9, 2020, and are transferring to UA for Spring 2021 |
CHANGE OF LEVEL Students who have been maintaining F-1 status in the U.S. since March 9, 2020, and are changing to a new educational level for Spring 2021 |
|
Entering the U.S. for Spring 2021 |
Must take at least 1 in-person or hybrid credit in your program. |
May take fully online courses |
May take fully online courses |
May take fully online courses |
May take fully online courses |
Remaining outside the U.S. during Spring 2021 |
May take fully online courses. Your SEVIS record will not be activated during Spring 2021. If you decide not to take classes during Spring 2021, you may request deferral of your admission. Remember to inform us if you will be taking classes online from abroad. |
May take fully online courses
Remember to inform us if you will be taking classes online from abroad. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Please note: This guidance is subject to change.
Sponsored students: Be sure to check with your sponsor regarding its enrollment requirements to maintain your financial aid.
Selecting classes: As usual, we recommend that you work with your Academic Advisor to select your classes. They will be able to help you register for classes that are appropriate for your geographical location.
If you have any questions, please contact immigration@uakron.edu.
Treatment for COVID-19 (coronavirus) is covered under your LewerMark Student Insurance plan.
This is not a good time to be without adequate health insurance! See our website for Information about our mandatory health insurance for international students.
The International Center is responsible for institutional compliance with the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and advising F-1 students/alumni and J-1 Exchange Visitors. The International Center has submitted updates to SEVP to inform SEVP of our operational changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, and we will continue to monitor announcements from SEVP.
We send regular email updates to international students, and we keep students updated through our International Student & Scholar e-newsletter. You can also send questions to international@uakron.edu.