International Programs and Global Engagement (IPGE) Alert

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ALERT! COVID-19 UPDATES

Please bookmark this page. It will be updated as needed with important information. Please contact us at international@calstatela.edu or call (323) 343-3170 if you have questions.

Effective March 11, 2020, and consistent with Cal State LA policy, IPGE has moved all advising and business processes to a virtual environment.

  • Inquiries can be submitted by email: international@calstatela.edu.
  • Routine appointments and regular walk-in services have moved to a virtual format. Schedule a virtual advising appointment and view our virtual walk-in hours here.
  • Document distribution: We continue to offer this service to our students. UEMS services are not available until further notice. Our office will email digital copies of I-20 documents directly to students. The I-20 will also be mailed via FedEx to student in late summer.
  • Due to the shift in our mode of operations, all immigration processing for newly admitted students will continue at this time. However, since information that relates to border closures, consulate closures and air travel suspensions are constantly changing, this service could be interrupted in the future. We will notify you on this web page if any changes occur.

On April 7, 2020, the U.S. Department of State received guidance from embassies listed below regarding impacts of COVID-19 on exchange visitors, including opportunities to return home. These embassies have asked that sponsors, like Cal State LA, encourage their exchange visitors to contact the appropriate embassy or consulate at the websites below. The Department will continue to provide and update this and other helpful information on: https://j1visa.state.gov/covid-19/.

Country Update

Albania

EVs should email their information (name, location, contact info, exchange program) to the Albanian Embassy at: embassy.washington@mfa.gov.al

Argentina

EVs should contact the embassy or closest consulate: https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/en

Bahrain

EVs should contact the Cultural Office of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain via email at: cultural@bahrainembassy.org

Cambodia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/covid19updates/press-release-of-the-embassy-requesting-information-from-cambodian-students-in-the-us

Colombia

EVs should contact the Embassy at: 202–885-9279;  cwashington@cancilleria.gov.co

Croatia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://us.mvep.hr/en/news/notification-for-croats-abroad,60419.html

Czech Republic

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.mzv.cz/washington/cz/konzularni_informace/urgentni_cr_vypravuje_specialni_let_z.html

Ecuador

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://www.ecuador.org/nuevosite/

Greece

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/statements-speeches/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-announcement-on-the-impact-of-the-coronavirus-situation-on-the-movements-of-greek-citizens-abroad.html

Hungary

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://washington.mfa.gov.hu/eng/news/szijjarto-peter-kuelgazdasagi-es-kueluegyminiszter-koezlemenye-a-hazaterni-szandekozoknak

Kosovo

EVs should contact the Kosovo Embassy via email: frymezim.isufaj@rks-gov.net

Kyrgyzstan

EVs should send their data and questions to these email addresses: kgconsul@kgembassy.org  and kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kg. The 24/7 emergency telephone number is +1-202-256-2924

Mongolia

EVs should contact the embassy via: http://mongolianembassy.us/contact-us/#.XoTD9ZNKiu4

Montenegro

EVs should register with Embassy of Montenegro’s website: http://www.mvp.gov.me/en/sections/Missions/Embassies-and-consulates-of-Montenegro/united-states-of-america

Pakistan

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://embassyofpakistanusa.org/

Peru

EVs should complete the form at this link if they are interested in curtailing their stay and returning home: http://www.consulado.pe/paginas/Inicio.aspx; 

https://www.embassyofperu.org/infocorona2

Russia

EVs should reach out to the embassy or consulate. For the New York Consulate, the consulate has said that Russian citizens should contact at mailny@mid.ru. The general consular section email contact at the Russian Embassy in D.C.: russconswdc@gmail.com

Saudi Arabia

EVs have until April 10 to apply for return to the Kingdom on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ e-service platform (http://www.mofa.gov.sa/es), with priority given to Saudi citizens in countries most affected by COVID-19, the elderly, and pregnant women. All returning Saudis will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine in hotels throughout the Kingdom.

Slovakia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.mzv.sk/en/web/washington-en

Slovenia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://www.washington.embassy.si/index.php?id=51&L=1

Somalia

EVs should send their details to Abdirahman Bashir at: a.bashir@somaliembassydc.net

South Africa

EVs should reach out to the Embassy (http://www.saembassy.org/) if they are interested in curtailing their stay and returning home.

Thailand

More information can be found at: https://thaiembdc.org/th/infoforthais

March 19, 2020

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory. This has implications for international travel.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe. We strongly advise international students and scholars to avoid traveling outside the U.S. While we cannot control where you may go, we remind you to take the necessary precautions for your own health and safety. If you do choose to travel internationally, there is a risk that you won't be permitted to re-enter the U.S. Please take note of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel warnings.

For more information visit this link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html.

March 23, 2020

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Services (USCIS) has developed an FAQ in response to COVID-19. Read it here. USCIS has created a COVID-19 Guidance web page. Read it here.

April 1, 2020

IPGE has developed its own International Student FAQ. Read it here.

July 1, 2020 NEW!

A new international student FAQ has been developed. Read it here.