Spring 2023 Online vs. Face-to-Face (F2F)/Hybrid Requirement

In the FAQs below, the term Face-to-Face means the same as the term F2F 

 3.  I am an F1 student who started studies in Spring 2020. My SEVIS record was active on March 9, 2020. How many online courses can I take?

You can take classes fully online for the Spring 2023 semester inside or outside of the U.S. if this is allowed by your academic department. You should coordinate directly with your academic department on course availability and requirements.

Please also see the important employment considerations in Questions 8-15 below. You should be aware of this information before you decide to take classes outside of the U.S.

4. I am an F1 student who started studies in Fall 2020 or later. My SEVIS record was NOT active on March 9, 2020. How many online courses can I take?

You should not take classes fully online in any semester of enrollment. You should take at least one F2F or hybrid class every semester that you are enrolled.

OIPS has consistently recommended that any student who started F1 status in Fall 2020 (was not SEVIS ACTIVE on March 9, 2020), take as many F2F or hybrid classes as possible. Since SEVP updated their guidance on May 31, 2022, and clarified that fully online enrollment flexibility applies only to students who were SEVIS ACTIVE on March 9, 2020, we are emphasizing this recommendation: We strongly encourage students who started studies in F1 status in Fall 2020 to take as many F2F or hybrid classes as possible in every semester of enrollment.

5. If I started studies Fall 2020 or later, can I keep my F1 status valid if I did not/do not have at least one hybrid or F2F class each semester of enrollment?

George Mason has a hybrid mode of operations and offers both in person and online courses, so you should make a full effort to enroll in a hybrid or F2F course if one is available, including joining waitlists, working with your academic advisor to force add a course. If the situation is beyond your control, then the SEVP guidance allows for flexibility. Situations beyond a student’s control could include enrollment in a hybrid course that the university cancels or changes to an online mode of study or similar situations in which, despite their best effort, a student cannot enroll in at least one hybrid or F2F course.

6. If I started studies in Fall 2020 or later, what negative consequences could I face in the future if I do not take at least one hybrid or F2F course every semester of enrollment?

A strict interpretation by the U.S. government might affect future applications such as work authorization, adjustment of status, or other benefits. Students may need to submit transcripts or enrollment verification for these types of benefits and could be questioned about why they enrolled in online courses. 

7. How can I tell if a class is fully online, hybrid, or F2F?

Mode of instruction is determined by the Registrar and shown in https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/. When you look at the information for a course in Patriotweb, check the Instructional Method.

To avoid a course that is online, do not register for any courses that are F2F 0-1%. Register for at least one course (or more if possible) that is Hybrid F2F 2-75% or F2F: F2F 76-100%.

• Fully online: F2F 0 – 1%
• Hybrid: F2F 2-75%
• F2F: F2F 76-100%

The current SEVP guidance, allows for remote work in certain situations. See Page 12, Employment Section. If you are applying for work authorization, you need to be aware of other important rules as detailed in the FAQs below.

General Employment Rules

8. If I am studying outside of the U.S., do the semesters of enrollment outside of the U.S. count toward the one academic year requirement for work authorization?

If your SEVIS record is active while you are enrolled, you can count the semester towards the requirement to meet the academic year requirement.

9. Can I apply for OPT outside of the U.S?

USCIS instructions on the I-765 application state that you must be in the U.S. to apply for OPT. OIPS does not monitor your physical location at the time that you submit your OPT application. We are providing this information to you so that you know official USCIS rules.

10. Do I have to be aware of any work restrictions in addition to F1 visa status rules?

Yes. You should consult with your employer and their trusted tax experts about any rules regarding labor laws, tax implications, employer reporting requirements, and other issues that you may need to be aware of before you decide where you work, physically or remotely, especially if you are considering work while you are outside of the U.S.

11. How do I apply for OPT or CPT?

The employment section of these FAQS are intended to provide you with information on work flexibilities based on SEVP’s current guidance. To apply for OPT or CPT, you must still follow OIPS procedures on how to determine eligibility and complete application steps that will include information and documentation from you, your academic department, and your training organization or employer. Students should visit the F-1 & J-1 Forms and Requests page and scroll down to the individual sections on CPT and OPT for detailed information.

Remote Work

12. If my SEVIS record was Active on March 9, 2020, can I work outside of the U.S. on STEM OPT, OPT, and CPT?

• OPT: You are eligible to work remotely outside of the U.S if, as stated in the SEVP Guidance, Employment Section, Question 2, your “employer has an office outside of the U.S. or the employer can assess student engagement by electronic means.” Note that a location outside of the U.S. cannot be reported in the SEVIS system. This option is only possible if the company is headquartered in the U.S. with a secondary location outside of the U.S. or if you have highly effective remote supervision from the employer.
• STEM OPT:Although current SEVP Guidance states that remote work is possible (see information above regarding OPT), it also includes a statement that I-983 requirements remain in effect. Since you are still required to report a Site of Activity on your I-983, it is safest if you do not work remotely.
• CPT: Current SEVP guidance states that you are eligible to work outside of the U.S. only if the school can authorize your CPT. OIPS does not authorize international CPT. If you decide to work outside of the U.S. while you are enrolled fully online, we recommend that you keep records indicating that the work takes place outside of the U.S.

13. If my SEVIS record was Active on March 9, 2020, can I work remotely inside of the U.S. on STEM OPT, OPT, and CPT?

• OPT: You are eligible to work remotely inside of the U.S if you can meet OPT employment reporting rules and your employer can provide effective supervision.
• STEM OPT: Although current SEVP Guidance states that remote work is possible (see information above regarding OPT), it also includes a statement that about I-983 requirements remain in effect. Since you are still required to report a Site of Activity on your I-983. It is safest if you do not work remotely.
• CPT: Remote work inside the U.S. is not specifically addressed in the SEVP Guidance. Students should follow OIPS standard policies to determine CPT eligibility, which in most cases requires enrollment in an internship course that is integral to program completion and a position with a training organization that has a strong curricular connection to your program. If these criteria are met, then remote work may be considered. Students should visit the F-1 & J-1 Forms and Requests page and scroll down to the CPT section.

14. If my SEVIS record was not Active on March 9, 2020, can I work outside of the U.S. on OPT, STEM OPT, and CPT?

• OPT/STEM OPT:A strict interpretation of the current SEVP guidance indicates that you should not work outside of the U.S. If you decide with your employer to work remotely, be aware that the longer you are outside of the U.S, the more the risk that the United States government will question why you need to maintain F1 status.
• CPT: Since you should be enrolled in at least one hybrid or F2F class every semester of enrollment, you cannot participate in CPT outside of the U.S.

15. If my SEVIS record was not Active on March 9, 2020, can I work remotely inside the U.S on OPT, STEM OPT, and CPT?

The answer to this question is the same as the answer in Question 13 and applies to students regardless of when their SEVIS record is/was ACTIVE.

• OPT: You are eligible to work remotely inside of the U.S if you can meet OPT employment reporting rules and your employer can provide effective supervision.
• STEM OPT: Although current SEVP Guidance states that remote work is possible (see information above regarding OPT), it also includes a statement that about I-983 requirements remain in effect. Since you are still required to report a Site of Activity on your I-983. It is safest if you do not work remotely.
• CPT: Remote work inside the U.S. is not specifically addressed in the SEVP Guidance. Students should follow OIPS standard policies to determine CPT eligibility, which in most cases requires enrollment in an internship course that is integral to program completion and a position with a training organization that has a strong curricular connection to your program. If these criteria are met, then remote work may be considered. Students should visit the F-1 & J-1 Forms and Requests page and scroll down to the CPT section.