Revised December 11, 2020

The University's Travel Advisory Committee (TAC) is reviewing all University-sponsored international travel, per University policy. The Department of State advises all U.S. citizens to read the country-specific Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID pages for updates on the impact of COVID-19 worldwide. The TAC will continue reviewing travel conditions and recommendations on a monthly basis and release relevant guidance to the University community. There may be certain restrictions on U.S. citizens entering foreign countries.
As University-sponsored international travel resumes, Arcadia will:

• Educate travelers about potential exposure, high-risk activities, and risk-reduction measures before departure.
• Remind travelers that they may be screened for COVID-19 at airports in the U.S. and worldwide. When entry screening is conducted, travelers may be checked for fever and other symptoms, and this may result in travel delays. Travelers may visit the website of the U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission for more information about screening procedures in foreign countries.
• Communicate with parents and families of students who are participating in study abroad/research programs sponsored by the University, and encourage parents and families to advise their students to use good judgment and to take precautions against COVID-19 in the country where they will be studying and living, as well as in any countries to which they may travel.
• Provide all travelers with:
  • A fact sheet on travel-associated illness, including:
    • The symptoms of COVID-19
    • Ways to reduce the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19
  • A self-screening tool to complete upon return to the U.S., including:
    • Questions that prompt the traveler to check daily for any symptoms of COVID-like illness, as described above
  • Information about other restrictions, as appropriate. Specific guidance will be provided; as discussed above in the section pertaining to Compliance, it is expected that all travelers adhere to those guidelines, such as self-monitoring their health for 14 days after travel and contacting their health care provider, HR (employees), or SHS (students) in the event of symptoms.
     

International Students

The Office of International Programs is in regular contact with international students holding F-1 visas and continues to monitor relations between home countries and the U.S. International students residing in the U.S. must contact OIP if they are considering leaving the United States as governmental regulations and travel restrictions are constantly changing and re-entry into the U.S. is restricted for citizens of certain countries. OIP advises students currently outside of the U.S. who are eligible to enter with valid F-1 visas to  check on any travel restrictions including any requirements applicable to countries they may transit through.

On August 7, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced updated guidance that permits F-1 students who were in active student status on March 9, 2020, to continue attending universities with online instruction.  New international students who were not on an Arcadia sponsored visa on March 9, 2020, were not permitted to enter the U.S. for the Fall semester of 2020. At the time of this statement (December 4, 2020), no updated guidance from the SEVP has been provided. Therefore, this guidance remains in place until further notice. OIP is working with students and faculty to ensure compliance and maintenance of active status in SEVIS.  Any students with questions should email oip@arcadia.edu for additional assistance.