• The usual full-time enrollment requirement for F-1 students still applies, but you may take more than one class or three credit hours online since U-M is offering a mixture of in-person and online instruction in response to COVID-19. However, you must take at least one class in the in-person mode of instruction, and you should only take the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in your degree program. Thus, if you have a choice between an in-person/mixed or online mode of instruction for a particular course, you should register for the in-person or mixed option.
• The DHS announcement also states that international students must depart the U.S. (or transfer schools) if their enrolling institution changes its operational stance mid-semester and transitions to online instruction only. We believe that this would apply to the University of Michigan only if we transition to online-only instruction at some point prior to November 30, the date when remote instruction is scheduled to begin for everyone. The only scenario in which we make such a switch is if we have severe COVID-19 occurrence in our community and it is deemed absolutely necessary to go online only.

• You are permitted to enroll in a completely online course of study, but will not be granted or continue to hold F-1 student status for this period. You are not bound by regulatory requirements affecting F-1 students while enrolled overseas, so the full-time enrollment requirement will not apply. Since you will not be in F-1 status, this time spent abroad will not be counted toward the one full academic year in F-1 status required prior to becoming eligible for certain immigration benefits, including Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training.
• Whether you enroll remotely for fall or defer your admission to a future semester, you will need a new I-20 with the appropriate program start date for the term when you will return to campus. You can use that I-20 to enter or re-enter the U.S. or to apply for a visa if needed.

• The Office of Student Services has been reaching out to each of you so that the School has up-to-date information about if you plan to be in the U.S. for the fall semester or not. Please make sure to respond to the message sent by Michelle Gorton in the Office of Student Services. 
• Incoming international students have been given the earliest registration date, which is today, July 9, at 1:00 pm. This is to help ensure that incoming students who will be outside the U.S. will be able to enroll in online classes while students on campus will be able to enroll in hybrid classes. 
• The SSW is actively working with the International Center to explore proactive steps we can take in the event that we need to transition to online-only instruction at some point prior to November 30, the date when remote instruction is scheduled to begin for everyone. One possibility is utilizing a hybrid independent study course. We will provide more information on this when we have more guidance from the International Center about the feasibility of this potential solution.  

• All international students- Use the updated course catalog on the SSW website to determine which courses are hybrid and online. Courses that are online will have the code O. Courses without a code are hybrid sections. 
• Continuing international students who will be in the U.S.- please make sure you are registered for at least one hybrid course. If you are not, please change your registration via Wolverine Access. If the course you need is full, you will have to fill out a Course Enrollment Petition. It is very important that you indicated in your petition narrative that you are an international student and thus need a hybrid section to maintain your visa status. We are giving international student petitions priority.  
• Continuing international students who will be outside the U.S.- please switch your registration from hybrid courses to online sections via Wolverine Access. If an online course you need is full, you will have to fill out a Course Enrollment Petition. It is very important that you indicated in your petition narrative that you are an international student living outside the U.S. and thus need to be enrolled in an online section. We are giving international student petitions priority. If there is not an available online section of a course that you need, remain in the hybrid section for now, and please email kalopez@umich.edu about this issue so we can work out a solution. Please do not panic. All hybrid instructors have been asked to accommodate students that need to be fully remote. 
• Incoming international students who will be in the U.S.- please make sure you register for at least one hybrid course. You can check the course catalog to identify hybrid courses (those without the code O).
• Incoming international students who will be outside the U.S.- please enroll in all online class sections. You can check the course catalog to identify hybrid courses (those without the code O). If there is not an available online section of a course that you need, reregister in a hybrid section for now, and please email kalopez@umich.edu about this issue so we can work out a solution. Please do not panic. All hybrid instructors have been asked to accommodate students that need to be fully remote.