News and Alerts, Emerson College

Here you will find critical and timely news updates pertinent for our international students. Please check this page every so often to ensure you stay informed.

News Updates

F-1 Limits to Online Study for Summer Graduates (March 3, 2025)

If you are an international student completing your final classes this summer and planning to graduate from Emerson in August 2025, please pay careful attention to F-1 immigration specifications about summer study, study in your final semester, and the limits to online study.

Your permission for online study is limited as follows:

You may enroll in no more than one class per semester of online or distance education study counting toward your full course of study requirement.
You cannot be enrolled in 100 percent online study. If you only need one class to complete your degree, you cannot enroll in only an online class, but must take at least one in-person class to anchor your legal status in the U.S.

As a student graduating in summer please also note:

Although summer can be a “vacation” term with optional study for students who will continue study in the fall term, summer is a “required” semester if you will graduate in August.
If summer is your final semester of study and you need less than full-time coursework to complete your degree, you do not need to enroll full-time but must request a SEVIS Authorized Reduced Course Load for Final Term via your Terra Dotta account.

We have prepared answers to a few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you have follow up questions, please make an appointment with your OISA advisor or come to our weekly walk-in hours so that we can review your situation in greater detail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Study for International Students (F-1 Status)

What counts as “full-time” study for international students?
If you are an undergraduate student, you must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits each required term. If you are a graduate student, you must enroll in a minimum of 8 credits or thesis each required term. You may request an Authorized Reduced Course Load in limited circumstances for academic or medical reasons, or in your final semester of study.

What if I am in my final semester of study?
If it is your final semester of study and you need less than full-time enrollment to complete your final degree requirements, you can request an Authorized Reduced Course Load via Terra Dotta. If your reduced course load is authorized, you are only required to enroll in the classes necessary to complete your degree. However, you cannot enroll in online-only study.

What options are available for me to enroll in person during summer term?
Many summer classes at Emerson are offered online. To meet your in-person study requirement you may enroll in:

One or more classes taught in person on campus, including the 1-credit Career Launch Course
A thesis course or one or more directed study courses where instruction or faculty direction occurs in person,
An internship course where either the instruction occurs in person and/or the internship activity occurs in person. Note that Boston-campus internship courses do not meet in person so the internship must be substantially in person – either fully on site or a minimum of 50% in person.

When can I take more than one online course?
During semesters of required study (including summer, when it is your final semester), you may enroll in more than one online class if the additional online classes earn you credits beyond the minimum credit count for your full-time enrollment requirement.

For example: As an undergraduate student, you could take two classes (8 credits) of in-person study, and one class (4 credits) of online study to meet your 12-credit minimum, and could then take an additional online class beyond the minimum.

As a graduate student, you could take one class (4 credits) of in-person study and one class (4 credits) of online study to meet your 8-credit minimum, and could then take an additional online class beyond the minimum.

Can I study 100 percent online if summer is a “vacation” semester?
If you are eligible to and intend to continue your program of study at Emerson in the fall semester, you can count summer as your annual “vacation” semester. In this case, you are not required to register for summer classes, but you may choose to enroll in classes if you wish. Since summer registration is optional, you can enroll in online-only study. (Note: Eligibility for continued study includes academic good standing and maintenance of lawful immigration status.)

What counts as a summer semester if Emerson has two summer terms?
Although Emerson has two summer “terms,” both terms together are one semester. Students can register for classes in either Summer I or Summer II, or a course that spans both terms.

Can I study 100 percent online if I am out of the U.S.?
The limits to online study apply to students who wish to maintain legal F-1 immigration status in the U.S., including those who plan to remain in the U.S., apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), or transfer your SEVIS record to move to another degree of study. If you wish to finish your last degree requirements from abroad, and do not intend to return to the U.S., you can opt to enroll in online-only classes, but will not then be eligible to apply for F-1 benefits such as OPT. If you will finish your degree abroad, please contact OISA at oisa [at] emerson.edu with a request to end your SEVIS record and your F-1 status.

OISA Advisory for International Travel Over Spring Break (February 28, 2025)

If you are planning to travel outside of the U.S. during Spring (or Summer) Break, now is the time to check your immigration documents for your U.S. return!

Travel Alerts – Spring 2025

Plan for Potential Visa Appointment and Visa Processing Delays: Students needing to renew their F-1 visa during upcoming travel should be prepared for the possibility of visa processing delays over the coming months. Enhanced vetting of visa applicants is likely to lead to visa delays and increased denials. The US Embassy Shanghai has announced the expectation of increased visa processing and wait times in Summer 2025.

Potential for Country-Specific Travel Bans: Although no country-specific travel bans have been announced, Executive Orders signed in January outline additional vetting parameters for visa applicants to the U.S. and travel bans may still be enacted once the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) completes its review of visa vetting for countries that are deemed non-compliant. Students should continue to be proactive about their travel plans and prepare for the possibility of sudden changes. Citizens of countries that were subject to a travel ban in the past may want to be particularly cautious about international travel in the coming months.

Required Documentation to Reenter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 Status

The following documentation is required in order to reenter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status after temporary travel abroad:

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months into the future.
The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport must be valid on the day you will reenter the U.S. in order for you to be eligible to re-enter the U.S. student immigration status.
If your visa will expire before the date of your return, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy while you are out of the U.S. We would advise against leaving the US for a short trip if your F-1 (or J-1) visa or passport has expired if you will not have sufficient time to renew your document before your return.
If you are a returning student, you will need a valid travel signature on your I-20 (or DS-2019) to re-enter the U.S.
A travel signature is generally valid for one year, and can be used for multiple trips abroad. A signature is valid for six months only for F-1 students on approved F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Review: Travel Signature Request – in the Control Center of your Terra Dotta record
Please allow 2-3 business days for OISA processing of travel signature requests. Remember: you do not need a travel signature to depart the U.S. but will need one on the day you reenter the U.S.
While the travel signature is given electronically, please make sure to print your new I-20 (or DS-2019) so you have a physical copy when you enter the U.S. and keep it for your records along with any past I-20 (or DS-2019) copies you may have.

Additional Travel Information

Please see the following links for answers to other travel questions.

Questions?

Should you have any questions related to international travel, please contact us by email at oisa [at] emerson.edu (oisa[at]emerson[dot]edu). You may also schedule an appointment or attend our daily walk in hours.

See: OISA Contact Information / Walk-In Hours

Recommendation to Carry Proof of Lawful Status (February 13, 2025)

As you may be aware from news sources, the new federal administration has issued a number of executive orders and proclamations prioritizing stricter border security, accelerating removal (deportation) of undocumented migrants to the U.S., and adding additional scrutiny for visa applicants and travelers to the U.S.

It is important to note that many of these orders include comment periods by which government agencies must give recommendations for interpretation and implementation, and that some of these will face legal challenges and may not ultimately be implemented or enforced as they are currently written.

Once we receive clarification from government agencies about how these will be implemented, we will make announcements on our News and Alerts page for changes that impact international students or may communicate individually to directly impacted students.

Carry Your F-1 or J-1 Immigration Documents

In the meantime, as a student in lawful F-1 or J-1 status, make sure you carry copies of your immigration documents with you at all times including:

Unexpired passport
Most recent F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019
Most recent Form I-94 showing your arrival to the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status, and
An F-1 or J-1 visa, if applicable (Note: This document is required at the time of U.S. entry, but it is not required to demonstrate your continued lawful status while in the U.S. Citizens of Canada are visa exempt.)

You should carry your original documents any time you travel — whether traveling within the U.S. or out of the U.S. — or in cases where you may encounter federal officers or law enforcement. If it is not feasible to carry your original documents in routine day-to-day life, make certain to always have access to paper or electronic copies of your documents.

New Web Page: Legal Resources

In addition, we have prepared the following new web page outlining Legal Resources, which includes:

Finding an Immigration Attorney
Know Your Rights resources

Students with individual questions about these or other legal matters are encouraged to attend our daily walk-in hours or to schedule a personal appointment with an Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) staff member.

We acknowledge the emotional toll that many of these executive actions may have on members of Emerson’s international community and are committed to providing continued holistic support to our students and alumni.

Complete Your U.S. Tax Returns for Tax Year 2024 (February 11, 2025)

This advisory is intended for Emerson international students and recent alums who were physically present in the U.S. during the 2024 tax year — between January 1 and December 31, 2024. If you were in the U.S. during this timeframe, please read on.

As a nonresident in the US, it’s crucial to know that if you earned income in 2024, you’re legally required to file a tax return by 15 April, 2025. And even if you didn’t work or earn any income, you’ll still need to submit Form 8843 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) staff are not authorized to provide any type of advising on individual international tax questions, but we have prepared the following resources to guide you through your tax filing responsibilities in the U.S.

Sprintax Tax Filing

Emerson College has partnered with Sprintax Returns to help you with your US taxes. Sprintax will guide you through every step of your tax filing. Their tax experts will help you prepare the necessary documents and even check if you’re eligible for a tax refund.

An email was sent to all current and recent international students on February 11, 2025 including a unique tax code to cover the cost of filing federal tax returns through Sprintax. If you did not receive this code, please email oisa [at] emerson.edu (oisa[at]emerson[dot]edu) with your full legal name and Emerson ID number to request the code.

Sprintax Tax Resources

You can explore the many resources Sprintax offers to help you understand the US tax system and prepare ahead.

Check out the resources below to get a head start and ensure you’re ready to file!

In addition, the Sprintax team will be happy to help via their 24/7 live chat facility by emailing hello [at] sprintax.com (hello[at]sprintax[dot]com).

Sprintax Webinars

Sprintax is hosting a number of free educational tax webinars that will be available to nonresidents prior to and during the US tax filing season. You may register using the registration links below for a session that works well for you:

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Overview

In these tax webinars, international students, scholars and professionals will be run through everything they need to know about nonresident tax for the 2024 tax season. Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, State returns, implications of misfiling as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return.

Select a date to register for the webinar session:

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Overview for OPT/CPT

Topics covered in these webinars will include residency for tax purposes, tax liabilities when on OPT/CPT and pre-employment tax forms when on OPT/CPT. The Sprintax team will also provide an overview of Sprintax Forms, which can be used to prepare your pre OPT/CPT employment tax documents.

Select a date to register for the webinar session:

May 2025 Grads - OPT FIling Window Now Open! (February 10, 2025)

Today is the day! If you are planning to graduate from Emerson College on May 11, 2025, the window to submit an OPT application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is now open -- beginning today February 10, 2025.

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows up to 12 months of post-graduation work permission in your major field of study. Applications for this benefit can be submitted to USCIS up to 90 days prior to your date you finish your program of study (your graduation date).

Keep in mind that it can routinely take up to 2-4 months for OPT authorization to be approved by USCIS, so in order to start working soon after graduation, you will want to apply as soon as possible now that this application window is open!

For more information, sign up to attend an upcoming OPT Workshop, starting this week.

Questions? Check out these online resources for additional information:

Still have questions? Contact us during our daily walk-in hours or drop us an email at oisa [at] emerson.edu (oisa[at]emerson[dot]edu).

Preparing for the U.S. Government Transition in January (December 9, 2024)

Over the past few weeks, we have spoken to many in our international student community who have expressed concern about what to expect regarding the upcoming U.S. government transition occurring in January.

International students are valued members of the Emerson community and our Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) staff are committed to providing proactive and holistic support to our international students and wider community. One important support involves providing timely communication throughout this administrative change as events transpire.

Recommendation to Re-enter U.S. Prior to Start of Class and Prior to Inauguration

While many changes to U.S. legislation and regulation take time to play out, actions such as Executive Orders may be enacted quickly and have immediate effect. For this reason, we recommend that international students traveling abroad this winter — as well as international faculty and recent graduates on F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) — seriously consider returning to the United States no later than January 20, 2025, the date of the Presidential inauguration.

Boston-based students are encouraged to return to campus before the start of classes on January 13, 2025. Emerson Los Angeles students are encouraged to move onto campus during the ELA move-in times the weekend of January 18, 2025 — prior to the Inauguration, and in advance of ELA classes starting.

This recommendation is being made out of an abundance of caution and based on historical precedent, as several travel bans affecting global travelers were enacted within the first few days of the first Trump Administration in 2017. In addition, it is common for staff turnover at U.S. consulates abroad to delay the process of visa issuance following a transition in federal administration.

Additional information about preparing for travel as an international student in F-1 or J-1 status can be found on Emerson Today.

Spring Semester Support and Communication

Our priority at this time is to prepare communication channels so that we can quickly share information and offer effective support if and when changes occur that may have a direct impact on our international community.

Our spring semester support and communication plan will include:

Posting of major immigration updates to the News and Alerts page of our website
Daily walk-in hours for individual questions — in addition to the option of scheduled appointment times, OISA will hold daily walk-in hours to address students’ immediate questions. These are held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET in person; Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET via Zoom
New communication initiatives including tabling and brown bag sessions
Workshops on pertinent topics including:
- International Study in the U.S: What to Expect from a Second Trump Presidency
- A History of U.S. Immigration Policy Towards LGBTQIA+ Migrants
- Immigration Options after OPT: H-1B and Alternatives for Artists and Entrepreneurs

Information related to U.S. immigration status and work permission, as well as international travel, can be found on our website. In addition, OISA’s experienced immigration advising staff are available to assist students in one-on-one advising appointments and walk-in hours.

Questions?

See: OISA Contact Information/Walk-in Hours