July 9, 2020

Announcement: Foreign Students No Longer Able to Engage in Full-Time Online Course Work for Fall Semester 2020

The United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has announced a new policy related to foreign students studying in the United States full-time online as a result of many academic institutions shifting to virtual classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to DHS, all foreign students including those from Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan studying under an F-1 and M-1 student visa may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Manila, the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City or the American Institute of Taiwan are instructed not to issue visas to those students who enroll in schools/ programs that are fully online for the fall semester of 2020 nor will U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States. Plans are underway for DHS to publish new procedures to provide foreign students with additional time to comply with new requirements.

Active foreign students who initially planned to study online while inside the United States on an F-1 or M-1 visa for the fall semester 2020 will be instructed to either depart the United States to avoid violating their visa terms and conditions or transfer to another academic institution with in-person classroom instruction. Foreign students attending schools that use a combination of online and in-person classes will be allowed to continue studying on an F-1 or M-1 visa provided that their school certifies that the course load is not entirely online for the fall semester. These exemptions however do not apply to F-1 students who are enrolled in English language training programs who are required to undergo their entire course load through in-class instruction

Students from Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan who intend to study in the United States this fall are encouraged to contact us at info@enterlinepartners.com and speak with a U.S. immigration attorney in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, and Taipei.

ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office
Suite 601, 6th Floor
Saigon Tower
29 Le Duan Street
Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 933 301 488
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
Facebook: Enterline & Partners – Dịch vụ Thị thực và Định cư Hoa Kỳ
Website: http://enterlinepartners.com

Manila, Philippines Office
Unit 2507 Cityland 10 Tower 1
156 H.V. Dela Costa Street
Makati City, Philippines 1209
Tel: +632 5310 1491
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
Facebook: Enterline and Partners Philippines
Website: https://enterlinepartners.com/language/en/welcome/

Categories: F-1

What Is a Proxy Marriage?

Trump Gold Card Program Legal: Does It Really Exist; Issues and Uncertainties

An Essential Guide to the 2025 U.S. Immigrant Visa Interview

Affiliated Job-Creating Entity From The RIA

our services

contact us today for more information

Latest News

How to Check Your U.S. Visa Interview Schedule (2026 Guide)

An important step in applying for a U.S. visa is to check your U.S. visa interview schedule. This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of checking your interview schedule, so you know exactly what to expect and how to avoid delays. For a more personalized approach, Enterline and Partners’ U.S. immigration attorneys can help you manage each step of your application including your visa interview schedule. What to Do Before Scheduling Your Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa Interview? Before you can lock in an interview date, you’ll need to take certain steps and have documents ready: Remember: Having these basics in place helps you to schedule your appointment without unnecessary setbacks. How to Log In and Schedule Your U.S. Visa Interview on USTravelDocs Once your DS-160 form is complete and the visa fee is processed, you can log in to USTravelDocs to book your interview. Keep the printed confirmation with your

What Is a Proxy Marriage?

Understanding what is a proxy marriage has become increasingly important for couples separated by international borders seeking options to formalize their relationship and pursue U.S. immigration benefits. A proxy marriage refers to a legally recognized marriage ceremony in which one or both parties are not physically present at the time the marriage is solemnized. While proxy marriages are not recognized in most U.S. states, certain jurisdictions do allow them under specific conditions. When properly structured and later consummated, a proxy marriage may be recognized for U.S. immigration purposes. Background of Proxy Marriages Historically, proxy marriages were most commonly used by military couples when one spouse was deployed overseas. In recent years, global travel restrictions and logistical challenges have caused many engaged couples to explore alternatives to marry despite being physically separated. From an immigration perspective, the key issue is not whether the marriage occurred by proxy, but whether the marriage

Trump Gold Card Program Legal: Does It Really Exist; Issues and Uncertainties

On December 10, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) released a Form I-140G, Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program (“Form I-140G”) and instructions for the new U.S. “Gold Card” immigration program. The program was (presumably) created by Executive Order of President Trump on September 19, 2025. The program does not have congressional action or approval. Presumably Form I-140G may be completed online after applicants register at trumpcard.gov and pay the required application fee. The Gold Card program is being introduced as falling under the Employment Based First and Second Preference visa categories (EB-1 and EB-2). While the release of the Form I-140G provides some insight into how the program is intended to operate, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) has identified numerous ambiguities and structural concerns that raise questions about statutory consistency, procedural fairness, and practical implementation. One significant issue involves the donation requirement for derivative family

Announcement: Foreign Students No Longer Able to Engage in Full-Time Online Course Work for Fall Semester 2020

CATEGORY

contact us today for more information

Latest News