The Office of Global Services (OGS) has prepared the following information based on the latest guidance from SEVP.

• Click here for information about Hybrid NUflex
• For information about Hybrid NUflex as it relates to your SEVIS record:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?

Yes you can:  

• If you are a fall freshman intending to be in Boston in the fall, you can take Hybrid NUflex classes, which include both a remote and an in-person component which will allow limited classroom volume and synchronous remote options. 
• If you are a fall freshman intending to remain in your home country or outside the U.S, you can take your classes fully remotely via the NU Start Program. As a reminder, you can indicate your intent to participate in NU Start on your Application Status Check. The priority deadline to indicate your intent was July 24.  

Will I be able to travel to the U.S. for Fall 2020?

Your ability to arrive in the U.S. will depend on whether you are able to secure a F-1 student visa and there are no travel restrictions limiting your arrival to the U.S. Please continue to monitor visa availability and information on travel restrictions. 

If you are able to travel, be certain to register your travel with the Travel Registry so that we can best support you.

If I am a fall freshman planning to arrive in the U.S. for Fall 2020 and enroll in Hybrid NUflex classes, will I receive a new I-20 for my visa appointment?

You do not need a New I-20 for your visa appointment. If you plan to arrive in the U.S. and enroll in Hybrid NUflex classes, please use your current I-20 for your visa appointment. Please note that your visa eligibility and issuance is at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State. Please continue to monitor visa availability and information on travel restrictions.    

If I am a fall freshman planning to arrive in the U.S. for Fall 2020, what are my options if there are any visa delays? 

Any arrival after the program start date requires authorization from OGS. If you are unable to arrive on or before the program start date on your I-20, you will need a Late Arrival Letter. Please speak with your advisor about this letter and they will coordinate with OGS. The latest possible date for Undergraduate students to arrive is September 23, 2020. If you cannot arrive to the U.S. by this date, you will need to transition to NU Start. Please note the Last Day to Arrive in the U.S. and Report to OGS for your specific program:

What if I don’t get my F-1 visa on time and would like to defer?  

The deferral deadline for fall freshmen students was July 1. Students should select NU Start if they are not able to arrive in the U.S. for the Fall Academic Term. 

If I am an N.U.in Boston student, can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?

Yes, you can:  

• If you are an N.U.in Boston student and are able to travel to the U.S., you can take Hybrid NUflex classes, which include both a remote and an in-person component. 
• If you are an N.U.in Boston student and unable to travel to the U.S., you can take your classes fully remotely via NU Start. As a reminder, you can indicate your intent to participate in NU Start on your Application Status Check. The priority deadline to indicate your intent is July 24.  

If I am an N.U.in Ireland student, can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?

Yes, you can:  

• If you are an N.U.in Ireland student and able to travel to your location, you can connect with OGS after your first semester experience for your transition to the U.S. for the Spring term.   
• If you are an N.U.in Ireland student and unable to travel to your location, you can take your classes fully remotely via NU Start. As a reminder, you can indicate your intent to participate in NU Start on your Application Status Check. The priority deadline to indicate your intent was July 24.  

What if I don’t get my visa on time and would like to defer?  

The deferral deadline for N.U.in students was July 1. Students should select NU Start if they are not able to arrive in the United States for the Fall Academic Term. 

Can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?   

Yes, you can:  

• If you are a NU Immerse student and are able to travel to the U.S., you can take Hybrid NUflex classes which includes both a remote and an in-person component. 

If I am outside the U.S. and unable to join the Fall 2020 cohort due to travel restriction or visa delays, can I begin NU Immerse in Spring 2021? 

Yes, you can make your deferral request by emailing [email protected].  You will then enter the two semester program, which will take place in the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters. This will still allow you to complete the program, and if you meet the academic standards, matriculate as a transfer student on-time for Fall 2021.

Will I be able to travel to the U.S. for Fall 2020?  

Your ability to arrive in the U.S. will depend on whether you are able to secure a F-1 student visa and there are no travel restrictions limiting your arrival to the U.S. Please continue to monitor visa availability and information on travel restrictions.   

If I am a NU Immerse student, planning to arrive in the U.S. for Fall 2020 and enroll in hybrid NUflex classes, will I receive a new I-20 for my visa appointment?  

You do not need a New I-20 for your visa appointment. If you plan to arrive in the U.S. and enroll in Hybrid NUflex classes, please use your current I-20 for your visa appointment. Please note that your visa eligibility and issuance is at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State. Please continue to monitor visa availability and information on travel restrictions. 

Can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?  

 Yes, you can:  

• If you are a transfer student already in the U.S. or intend to travel to the U.S., you will be enrolled in Hybrid NUflex, which include both a remote as well as an in-person component. 
• If you intend to remain in your home country or outside the U.S., you can take your classes fully remotely through Hybrid NUflex or you may take online courses.

If I am a transfer student, enrolled in Hybrid NUflex classes, and am planning to arrive in the U.S. for Fall 2020, will I receive a new I-20 for my visa appointment?  

You do not need a New I-20 for your visa appointment. If you plan to arrive in the U.S. and enroll in Hybrid NUflex classes, please use your current I-20 for your visa appointment. Please note that your visa eligibility and issuance is at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State. Please continue to monitor visa availability and information on travel restrictions.

If I am a transfer student, can I take Hybrid NUflex classes from my home country or outside the U.S. while I am waiting for my visa to be approved?   

Yes, you can begin your program via Hybrid NUflex. If you are going to arrive after the program start date on your I-20, then you must request a Late Arrival Letter from your college advisor. Your advisor will then coordinate with OGS to prepare and send this letter to  you.  The LATEST you may arrive is September 23, 2020.  If you are not able to arrive by this date, you will need to continue your program from outside the U.S. for the Fall 2020 term.

What if I don’t get my F-1 visa in the fall semester as a transfer student? 

You will have the following options:  

• You can complete the fall term remotely from your home country or outside the U.S. Please contact OGS at [email protected] before the start of the Fall term. An updated I-20 to support your arrival for Spring 2021 will be sent to you.   
•  If you do not intend to complete the fall term remotely, you can request a deferral to the Spring 2021 semester. Please contact [email protected] to make this request. You should inform OGS no later than September 23, 2020 so that we can take appropriate action on your SEVIS record. An updated I-20 will be sent to support your arrival for Spring 2021.

Can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?  

• Yes, you can. If you are in the U.S., you should be enrolled in Hybrid NUflex classes which will include an in-person component.
• If you are in your home country or outside the U.S, you can take your classes remotely via Hybrid NUflex or you may take online courses.

Can I register for online courses when I am in the U.S.?

F-1 students are required to have an in-person component in order to maintain their status. Hybrid NUflex provides F-1 students with this instructional format . According to the latest SEVP update, new students with Initial SEVIS records are not permitted to enter the U.S. for the fall term to pursue a program that is 100% online.

Will I be able to travel to the U.S. for Fall 2020? 

Your ability to arrive in the U.S. will depend on whether you are able to secure a F-1 student visa and there are no travel restrictions limiting your arrival to the U.S. Please continue to monitor visa availability and information on travel restrictions.  

If I will be enrolled in Hybrid NUflex classes and am planning to arrive in the U.S. for Fall 2020 will I receive a new I-20 for my visa appointment? 

You do not need a New I-20 for your visa appointment. If you plan to arrive in the U.S. and enroll in Hybrid NUflex classes, please use your current I-20 for your visa appointment. Please note that your visa eligibility and issuance is at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State. Please continue to monitor visa availability and information on travel restrictions.    

Can I take Hybrid NUflex classes from my home country or outside the U.S. while I am waiting for my visa to be approved? 

Yes, you can begin your program via Hybrid NUflex. If you are going to arrive after the program start date on your I-20, then you must request a Late Arrival Letter from your college advisor. Your advisor will then coordinate with OGS to  prepare and send this letter to you.  If you are in CPS, the LATEST you may arrive is October 7, 2020. If you are a first year JD student, the LATEST you may arrive is September 9, 2020. Graduate students in all other schools and colleges MUST arrive by October 2, 2020.  If you are not able to arrive by these dates, you will need to continue your program from home for the academic term and request an updated I-20 for Spring 2021 or the next academic term.

Will Hybrid NUflex allow me to maintain my F-1 visa requirements?

Hybrid NUflex with in-person and remote components is designed to provide the necessary flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic while allowing students to meet their F-1 status requirements.

What if I don’t get my F-1 visa in time for the Fall Academic Term?  

You will have the following options: 

• You can take your classes remotely from your home country or outside of the U.S. In this case, you may enroll in Hybrid NUflex courses or online courses. Please communicate with your academic advisor . An updated I-20 to support your arrival for Spring 2021 will be sent to you.
• Wait to start classes in Spring 2021 or the next academic term. In this case, you need to defer your admission to Spring 2021 or the next academic term AND request OGS and your academic advisor to defer your program start date in SEVIS.

Can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?  

Yes, you can. F-1 students are required to have an in-person component in order to maintain their status. Hybrid NUflex provides F-1 students with this instructional format. These courses are the default for the fall term at Northeastern University. Current regulatory accommodations for the fall term also allow you to take a combination of Hybrid NUflex and online courses.

Can I continue to remain in the U.S. if I enroll in fully online classes during the Fall term?

Yes, certain F-1 students may remain in the U.S. to engage in a full course of study online during the Fall term.  This is a temporary SEVP accommodation due to COVID that includes continuing students, transfer students, and change of degree level students, who have remained in the U.S. since March 2020 with a SEVIS record in Active status.

What is Hybrid NUflex? Is it online, or hybrid?

Hybrid NUflex is a hybrid, flexible model designed to deal with density restrictions and provide the necessary flexibility to faculty and students. Please click here to learn more.

Will Hybrid NUflex allow me to maintain my F-1 visa requirements?

Hybrid NUflex with in-person and remote components is designed to provide the necessary flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic while allowing students to meet their F-1 status requirements.

How do I know if my class is Hybrid NUflex or Online?

All classes usually taught as on-ground instructional method will by default be offered as “Hybrid NUflex”  for the Fall 2020 term Courses that will be fully online will be listed as “Online” in the course catalog. Pay close attention to the listed instructional method during your course registration process.

What are my options if I left the U.S. during the Spring/Summer 2020 term and I want to take my classes remotely during Fall 2020? 

• If you have a valid visa and travel signature, you can return to campus. All classes usually taught as on-ground instructional method will by default be offered as “Hybrid NUflex” for the Fall 2020 term.  Please ensure there are no travel restrictions limiting your arrival to the U.S.

 OR 

• You may remain outside the U.S. and enroll in classes fully remotely for the Fall 2020 term. Your SEVIS record will be kept “Active” and you will continue to accrue the benefits of your F-1 status.

I am currently in my home country or outside of the U.S. planning to return to campus for Fall 2020. I have a valid visa. Will you send me a new I-20?  

If you have a valid I-20 and travel signature, you will not need a new I-20. Please continue to monitor information on travel restrictions before you plan your travel. 

If your I-20 and travel signature are not valid, please contact OGS and we will review your record and issue an updated I-20 accordingly.

Before you plan your travel, please make sure:

1. Your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your expected date of return.
2. Your F-1 visa will be valid for your expected date of return.
3. You have a valid travel signature on your Form 1-20.

• Travel signatures are valid for one year while enrolled in classes, or until your program end date.
• While on Post-Completion OPT, your travel signature is valid for six months from the date signed.

You do not need a new travel signature for each time you travel. 

To request a travel signature—please log in to myOGS and complete the e-form request. Requests will be approved as soon as possible.

Can I participate in co-ops or internships using my CPT? 

You may utilize CPT to participate in academically approved co-ops and internships as long as:

• your CPT is authorized by OGS prior to starting the practical training
• you are enrolled in the required CPT course
• you meet all the requirements established by your co-op or internship supervisor.

Can I take a break for one term?  

If you choose to take a break and not enroll in any classes, you can request a non-medical leave of absence from the university and OGS. Consult with your academic advisor and an OGS advisor about the length of time you will be outside the U.S. OGS will advise you about considerations for your benefits such as CPT and OPT.  

What if the pandemic worsens in the fall and all classes are moved online – will I have to leave the U.S.?

The university is aware of student concerns and travel restrictions. Your safety and wellbeing will be prioritized when decisions are made.

Per the July 24th SEVP guidance, students pursuing studies in the U.S. for the Fall 2020 term may remain in the U.S. even if their educational institution switches to a hybrid program or to fully online instruction. Students will maintain their nonimmigrant status in this scenario for the duration of the Fall academic term.

Should I notify OGS if I have left the U.S and plan on engaging in studies remotely for the Fall term?

If you departed the U.S. and plan to enroll in your courses remotely from your home country, please notify OGS by completing this e-form request so that we can add the SEVP required remark to your SEVIS record.

Can I enroll in classes for Fall 2020?

Yes you can. If you are in the U.S. you can take hybrid NUflex classes which include both a remote and an in-person component. 

What is hybrid NUflex? Is it online, or hybrid?

Hybrid NUflex is a hybrid, flexible model designed to deal with density restrictions and provide the necessary flexibility to faculty and students. It includes in-person requirements for J-1 students. Please click here to learn more.