Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ for Incoming International Students

For the Fall of 2021, the University has returned to an in-person teaching, research and residential environment. Incoming international students will be informed via email of any changes to the University's operations, and ISSS will keep you informed of any implications this might have. 

ISSS is not able to conduct correspondence with your local U.S. Embassy/consulate or request an expedited visa interview appointment on your behalf. We understand that the situation at U.S. consulates/embassies around the world has been a source of great stress for many of our students and encourage you to inquire often about the availability of emergency visa interview appointments. 

Students are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination for the Fall 2021 semester. Exceptions will only be provided for medical or religious reasons. Students should upload their required vaccine records to their Student Health Service portal as soon as possible. For more information on the vaccination requirement, where to get vaccinated, and exemptions, see Penn's Coronavirus response website ("Vaccinations").

For up-to-date information on which vaccines will be accepted, please see Penn's Coronavirus Student FAQ page.

• Please consult the below pages for the most up-to-date information, as testing and quarantine requirements change frequently.

• Penn Cares Testing Program (for information about testing criteria, frequency, exemption conditions, compliance, and more) 
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Vaccination and Testing Requirements for International Travelers

Yes. Students should upload their required vaccine records to their Student Health Service portal as soon as possible.

Additional, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "You must be fully vaccinated to travel to the United States by plane if you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa). Only limited exceptions apply." Please consult the website linked above for information about how to fulfill this requirement. 

If a vaccine series is started that is not available in the US, Penn encourages you to finish that vaccine series before traveling to the US. COVID-19 continues to spread globally resulting in serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. Vaccination is the best way to prevent spread of virus and new variants.

It is expected that guidelines for those receiving international vaccines will continue to evolve. Please submit proof of vaccination to the Student Health portal. 

• Upload instructions for existing students
• Upload instructions for new students

From the Penn Coronavirus Student COVID-19 FAQ page.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 infection rates continues to evolve worldwide, so will U.S. travel bans and restrictions. Please consult the following resources for the most up-to-date information:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC): International Travel
• U.S. Department of State: COVID-19 Traveler Information

The average I-20/DS-2019 application processing time is three weeks; however, due to the large volume of applications, the time it takes for us to issue your document may be extended. We will have limited capacity to offer expedited processing at this time. You can apply for your document and check your application status using iPenn.

If you have made a visa interview appointment and can provide a written proof of the upcoming appointment, ISSS will make sure your I-20 or DS-2019 is issued prior to that time. 

Per the guidance of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the University’s Fall 2021 plans, all incoming international students arriving to the U.S. in Fall 2021 should plan for an in-person academic experience.  

Please consult these resources for the most up-to-date information. ISSS does not provide guidance on COVID-19 screening or quarantine requirements, housing, or COVID-19 restrictions in countries outside of the United States.

For information on University operations, guidance and resources (testing information, quarantine requirements, housing, COVID-19 statistics, etc):

• Penn Coronavirus response website
• Information about vaccinations
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• Penn Residential Services

For information on global quarantine requirements, entry/exit restrictions, medical screening requirements, etc:

• U.S. Department of State: Country-Specific COVID Information
• Penn Global Support Services: COVID-19 Travel Updates page

The ISSS office is currently open from 10:00-12:30PM and from 1:30PM-5:00PM. We are closed between 12:30-1:30PM. ISSS is continuing to offer virtual advising appointments. See our Return to Campus page for more information about how to connect with ISSS virtually.

ISSS is continuing to process immigration documents (I-20s/DS-2019s) for incoming students. Current processing times are approximately 3 weeks. You can check the status of your application in iPenn. Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with your SEVIS ID, which you can use to make an interview appointment at your local consulate. F-1 I-20s will be sent electronically and in most cases, sent to your Penn email. J-1 DS-2019s must still be issued by paper; please fill out the Shipping Request Form in iPenn once your DS-2019 application is approved.

You will be notified by email with instructions to apply for your I-20/DS-2019.  We are unable to offer expedited processing at this time; however, if you have made a visa interview appointment and can provide a written proof of the upcoming appointment, ISSS will make sure your I-20 or DS-2019 is issued prior to that time. 

In March 2020, the U.S. Department of State temporarily suspended routine visa services globally and began a "phased resumption" of services in July 2020. The availability of visa appointments will vary based on your location and on local circumstances. Please continue to check with your local embassy/consulate (https://www.usembassy.gov) for updates about its operating procedures. 

Unfortunately, ISSS is unable to help students secure or expedite visa appointments. We are also unable to contact your local embassy/consulate on your behalf.

It is important to stay up-to-date on the list of countries whose citizens may face difficulties entering the United States; these restrictions are constantly changing as the situation develops. Please see the CDC's webpage on travelers prohibited from entry into the United States for the most current guidance.  

Before making any travel plans, you should confirm that neither your destination nor any countries through which you will travel to reach your destination have put in place restrictions that could affect your itinerary. In addition, check with your airline to ensure you have the right status to make a layover in other countries. Please see the website of the U.S. Department of State for up-to-date information about global travel restrictions. 

This might be possible but will depend on the policies of your academic school. Your I-20 or DS-2019 start date will still be deferred to the semester start date you will be able to arrive and start classes in person. ISSS will arrange to issue a new I-20 or DS-2019 accordingly. Your SEVIS ID will remain the same.

We highly advise consulting an immigration attorney to review this option. Please see https://global.upenn.edu/isss/cos for more information.