New Presidential Proclamation Prohibits Travel to the U.S. from Certain Countries
November 30, 2021
On November 26, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation restricting entry to the U.S. for non-U.S. citizens who were physically present in
any of the following countries in the 14 days prior to their entry: 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. At this time, no exceptions have been announced for F-1 students traveling from
any of the countries listed.
New Student F-1 Regulations and Travel to the U.S. Update
November 9, 2021
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination and Negative Test Result Requirement for Entry to the
U.S.
Effective November 8, 2021, all F-1 Visa students traveling to the United States
will be required to be fully vaccinated, provide proof of full vaccination and proof
of a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.
PLEASE NOTE: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed that for purposes
of travel to the U.S., vaccines approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) or on the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listed (EUL) vaccines
will be accepted. Click here for a list of approved vaccines.
Exceptions to this policy will be extremely limited and may apply to:
Children under 18
People medically unable to receive the vaccine
Emergency travelers who do not have timely access to a vaccine
National Interest Exemptions (NIEs) will no longer be needed for noncitizens who were
physically present in any of the 33 countries (identified in earlier travel restriction
proclamations) during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into
the U.S.
If you are a continuing student in valid F-1 status, you can re-enter the U.S.
Before traveling into the U.S., you will need the following:
A Travel Signature for your I-20.
A Valid F-1 Visa
A Valid Passport
Proof of a negative viral COVID-19 testwithin the 3 days before your flight to the U.S. departs.
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
Please complete the I-20 Travel Request Form and email it to intled@smc.edu from your SMC email address to receive a new travel signature on your I-20. The International
Education Center will email you a new signed I-20.
If you are a new international student seeking to enter the U.S for the winter/spring
2022 semester you can enter the U.S.
Before traveling into the U.S., you will need the following:
A New Winter/Spring 2022 I-20
A Valid F-1 Visa
A Valid Passport
Proof of a negative viral COVID-19 testwithin the 3 days before your flight to the U.S. departs. For more details, please
visit the CDC website.
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
If you have any additional questions, please contact your Admissions Coach through
I-APP.
WALK-IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER VISITS:
The IEC is open with a limited capacity from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday thru Thursday.
Students must be cleared for on-campus visits by submitting proof of vaccination in
advance. Information may be found at this link –
If you have any questions concerning your current travel restrictions or your F-1
Status, contact the International Education Center using the links below.
International Education Center (IEC) Student Services Center (SSC) 3rd Floor 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 IEC: Mon - Thu 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fri 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Phone: 310-434-4218 and 310-434-4217 Fax: 310-434-3651
International Counseling Hours Mon - Thu 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fri Hours are variable see counseling website
Please check link below as Counseling Hours can vary week to week
Due to an increase in COVID cases in the U.S. and abroad, it is possible that new
travel restrictions for F-1 visa students seeking to re-enter the U.S. may be enacted.
We strongly advise you not to travel outside the United States if you can avoid it.
If you must travel, please be sure to check with your country’s U.S. embassy to find out if there are travel restrictions that apply to F-1 visa students traveling
from your country back to the U.S. You may also inquire with the airlines to find
out if there are any restrictions or requirements to re-enter the U.S.
If you must travel, be sure to request an updated travel signature for your I-20. Submit the travel signature request form to intled@smc.edu from your SMC email account at least 2 weeks before your return to the U.S. We will
email you an updated I-20 with a travel signature.
Please note, SMC and IEC are closed on the following days:
Thursday, Friday November 26-27, 2021
Friday, December 24, 2021 through Sunday, January 3, 2022
Welcome to Santa Monica College! SMC is recognized as one of the best community colleges
in California and the nation. SMC provides the first two years of American university
education to help youget where you want to be. SMC is the #1 school to transfer to the UC system, USC,
and Loyola Marymount University. SMC is #2 nationwide to Columbia University and #1
among schools west of the Mississippi River.
The International Education Center supports students with many services, like orientation,
academic advising, activities, immigration assistance and more.
Go Global with SMC! Travel in a study abroad program and engage in our nationally-recognized
Global Citizenship program with various campus events and activities.
