Update to COVID Test Requirement for Entry to the U.S.

The CDC has updated the Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 page accordingly: 

"If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get a COVID-19 viral test (regardless of vaccination status or citizenship) no more than 1 day before you travel by air into the United States. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight."

Presidential Proclamation Restricting Travel From 8 Southern African Countries 

Presidential Proclamation 10315 suspends entry after presence in certain southern Africa countries. Citing the appearance of the COVID Omicron variant, a Presidential Proclamation of November 26, 2021, Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease 2019, provides:

"The entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of noncitizens who were physically present within the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, and the Republic of Zimbabwe during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States is hereby suspended and limited subject to section 2 of this proclamation." The proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on November 29, 2021.

Resources:

Department of State FAQs

COVID vaccine and test requirements

Centers for Disease Control International Travel Requirements and Recommendations

Rhode Island Department of Health travel guidance

Brown University travel policies

Brown University’s International Travel Risk Management website

Please check these resources regularly for most current information.

Check Your Travel Signature

If you will be traveling outside the U.S. over the winter break and you do not have a valid travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 (F-1) or the lower right corner of your DS-2019 (J-1), please drop off your current document by next week at OISSS in Page-Robinson Hall, Suite 319, Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm.

Travel signatures are valid for 12 months (6 months on post-completion OPT) and can be used multiple times before they expire. 

Given the volume of pending requests, students should allow for a minimum of 3-5 days for processing. 

Please note that OISSS will close at 5 pm on Wednesday, December 22nd for Winter Break and reopen again on Tuesday, January 4th during normal business hours. Please plan accordingly.

Electronic I-20 Policy Here to Stay

SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20 establishes the procedures for the use of electronic signatures and transmission of the Form I-20. This updated guidance only applies to F-1 students. 

F-1 students no longer need an original Form I-20 for travel and visa applications. A printout of a scanned or digital copy of the I-20 can be used in place of an original. Students should carry a printed Form I-20 with them to present to Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officers upon re-entry to the U.S. 

If you are an F-1 student that has left the U.S. without obtaining a travel endorsement signature on your I-20, you can request a new I-20 with travel endorsement signature through your OISSS Gateway portal. Log in and click on the Requests and Documents tab where you can select the I-20 reprint option.