IST Plus Updates

Participants currently in the USA should contact CIEE on 1-888-268-6245

Applicants in the UK should email info@istplus.com or use the contact form on this page

Category: SEVIS

Posted by: infoteam | Posted on: Tue May 19, 2020 | Category: SEVIS

Did you get an email to register in SEVIS?

Please read this if you have not yet travelled to the USA or have cancelled your programme and have received an email to register in SEVIS

Update 19th May 2020:

We have learned that some participants whose programmes to the USA have been delayed due to the current pandemic are receiving automated emails from SEVIS to register. We have checked with ...

FAQs

Further information can be found on the CIEE updates page for US Host Organisations currently hosting international participants

I HAVE HAD MY J1 VISA INTERVIEW AT THE US EMBASSY AND MY START DATES IN THE USA ARE DELAYED DUE TO COVID 19. WHAT DO I DO?

If you already have your J1 Visa in your passport and have not been able to travel to the US as a result of COVID-19 please contact our team using the form at the bottom of this page.
CIEE is in contact with Host Companies in the US to revise these dates and make changes in SEVIS to allow you to travel to the US at a later date. In many cases this will mean we need to get your dates in SEVIS revised and may need to send you new legal documentation once these have been finalised.

I HAVE RECEIVED MY DS-2019 CERTIFICATE FROM IST PLUS BUT NOT HAD MY J1 VISA AT THE US EMBASSY AND MY START DATES IN THE USA ARE DELAYED DUE TO COVID 19. WHAT DO I DO?

CIEE is in contact with Host Companies in the US to revise these dates and make changes in SEVIS to allow you to travel to the US at a later date, once travel restrictions have been lifted and embassy interviews are once again available. It is likely that once these have been revised we will need to send you new documentation matching your new dates to take to your embassy interview.

If you have any questions regarding this please use the contact form at the bottom of this page

I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY DS-2019 CERTIFICATE FROM CIEE AND IST PLUS B AND MY START DATES IN THE USA ARE DELAYED DUE TO COVID 19. WHAT DO I DO?

At present, processing of some programmes (notably programmes in Hospitality) until the present pandemic crisis is passed. If your application has not yet been approved, CIEE will work with your hosts to confirm new dates - you should be in contact with your host company supervisor to discuss these as this will speed up the process once approval can be granted.

If you have any questions regarding this please use the contact form at the bottom of this page

I NEED TO CANCEL MY PROGRAMME

If you now wish to cancel your J1 Visa programme in the USA please contact our team using the contact form at the bottom of this page. You can see a list of cancellation charges on your specific programme page under Costs.

I AM CURRENTLY HOSTING A PARTICIPANT ON AN ACTIVE PROGRAM OR AM A PARTICIPANT TRAINING AT A HOST ORGANIZATION. THE TRAINING PLAN IS BEING FOLLOWED AND SUPERVISION AND HOURS ARE BEING FULFILLED. CAN TRAINING CONTINUE?

Yes, if both the host organization and participant are in agreement that they would like training to continue and all program rules and policies are being fulfilled, training may continue.

DO PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE U.S. FROM TRAVEL BAN COUNTRIES NEED TO RETURN HOME?

No, if training is being fulfilled as outlined on the training plan, training may continue.

IF A CURRENT PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE CANCELLED, WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?

If, once in the United States, a participant has to return to their home country due to: personal choice, host ending the program, a Covid-19 emergency as determined by an official decision of the local government, American government, or any official authority, CIEE will continue to provide a high level of support to our in-country participants; however, there will be no reimbursement of fees.

WHAT IF THE HOST ORGANIZATION CAN CONTINUE HOSTING AN EXCHANGE VISITOR BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM OF 32 HOURS PER WEEK?

Given the extenuating circumstances, CIEE will permit this but only for brief periods of time. Long term or permanent reduction in hours will not be permitted. Please note that the hours that the participant is training for must be in approved tasks. No prohibited tasks are permitted for any duration of time.
Please inform the participant right away. If the participant is unable to accommodate a temporarily reduced schedule, they should contact CIEE 1-888-268-6245 to discuss best next steps.

CAN A PARTICIPANT LEAVE THE U.S. AND RETURN IN SEVERAL MONTHS TO RESUME THEIR TRAINING?

While this is permitted by the U.S. Department of State, there are factors outside of CIEE’s control which may not guarantee a successful return to the U.S. Before leaving the U.S., CIEE recommends that exchange visitors discuss their options with the host organization, as well as notify CIEE 1-888-268-6245 and the International Representative of the decision. Participants should also contact the International Representative when they begin to consider returning to the United States. Depending on the circumstances, participants may need to check with the local U.S. embassy to renew their visa, or confirm eligibility directly with the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services if they have been outside the U.S. for more than 30 days.

Participants will only be permitted to return to their previously approved host organizations. Participants should not return to the U.S. to train at a different host, or with intent to find a new host.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A PARTICIPANT’S HOME COUNTRY NATIONAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OR UNIVERSITY RECALLS ALL FOREIGN NATIONALS ABROAD, INCLUDING IN THE U.S.?

CIEE recommends exchange visitors remain informed on their home country government or university requirements and advice and make choices that are best for their specific circumstances.

CAN A HOST ORGANIZATION ADJUST THE DS-7002 TRAINING PLAN TO REFLECT ADJUSTED TRAINING ACTIVITIES AS A RESULT OF COVID-19?

Yes, please contact CIEE at: INT-PCT@ciee.org to make these changes. Please include participant first and last name and host name in the notice.

Please note that even within these unusual circumstances, Interns and Trainees are not permitted to conduct prohibited tasks. It is preferred to reduce the number of hours to provide quality, compliant training than to conduct activities outside of the regulations of the program category.

CAN PARTICIPANTS INTERN OR TRAIN REMOTELY?

Due to these extenuating circumstances, CIEE will permit remote trainings and internships within the U.S. as necessary for brief periods of time. Sustained or permanent remote trainings are not permitted.

Participants must continue to have continual supervision, check-ins, and support during this time.

Training remotely outside of the U.S. does not fall under the purview of the J-1 visa category.

HOST ORGANIZATION IS SUSPENDING ALL OPERATIONS OR CLOSING. WHAT SHOULD THE PARTICIPANT AND HOST DO?

If the closure is currently anticipated to be brief, and the host is confident that training can resume as previously outlined in the training plan once the business has returned to normal operations, the participant may pause training and resume later.

If the closure of the site of activity is anticipated to be for a long duration or permanent, the participant will need to return home early or seek a change in host organization. In this case, please have the participant call in to CIEE 1-888-268-6245 regarding next steps.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A HOST ORGANIZATION IS NO LONGER ABLE TO HOST THE EXCHANGE VISITOR DUE TO LACK OF BUSINESS?

Please inform the participant right away.
If the participant has not yet traveled, they should contact CIEE directly to inform them of their travel plans
If the participant is in the U.S., please advise them to speak with CIEE 1-888-268-6245 regarding next steps.

THE PARTICIPANT IS ON AN ACTIVE PROGRAM BUT IS CURRENTLY TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. AND CANNOT RETURN DUE TO THE EXISTING TRAVEL BAN. CAN THE PARTICIPANT RETURN ONCE THE TRAVEL BAN IS OVER?

If the participant has been outside of the U.S. for less than 30 days, it is anticipated that they should be able to re-enter without difficulty.

It is our understanding there will be flexibility in the case of a participant has been outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days. However, we recommend reconfirming this with your local embassy or the Department of Homeland Security.

A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PROGRAM HAS NEEDED TO BE DELAYED DUE TO THE PAUSE ON J-1’S ENTERING THE U.S. UNTIL MAY 11, 2020 OR LATER. THE PARTICIPANT’S ELIGIBILITY WILL HAVE EXPIRED BY THE TIME THE BAN IS LIFTED. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR THE PARTICIPANT?

If the participant’s internship eligibility has expired, it is possible that Career Training USA may be an option. Check CIEE’s website and materials for eligibility requirements.

CAN A PARTICIPANT APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IF THE PLACEMENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED?

No. J-1 participants are not eligible for these benefits.

About Us

IST Plus was formed in 2003. Since then we have worked with thousands of students and young people from all over the world to help and guide them on their international journeys.
We work with partners across the globe to provide the best service possible.

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Tel: +44 (0)207 788 7877
email: info@istplus.com

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