Information for Global Students

Your health, safety, and well-being is our first priority. We are aware that you - our global students at Gannon University, are greatly impacted by travel, housing, and public health concerns given the situation with COVID-19. We are here to support you! The first thing that we do is to keep you informed. We will continue to update the information below as new developments take place.
Below you will find the most up to date information on: visas, preparing for travel, travel, Gannon events, and others.

GANNON OPEN FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER

View country specific travel restrictions.

Is Gannon University opening on campus for the in-person delivery of classes for the spring semester?

Yes, classes begin January 25, 2021.

What is the current policy for entry or re-entry in the US, as related to COVID -19 for new or returning students?

TRAVEL / Upon arrival to Gannon
https://update.gannon.edu/Update/Detail/39 - Entry to U.S.
Continuing AND New Students (Who are NOT ALREADY in ERIE and WHO PLAN TO RETURN)
Please tell us the following information via Globalsupport@gannon.edu (to schedule COVID-19 Testing):

  1. Date of Arrival to Erie
  2. Mode of Arrival (car, bus, plane – or as many as apply)
  3. What states, cities traveling from within U.S.

Students travelling to the U.S. from Brazil are subject to the Proclamation Restrictions, - Please READ
TRAVEL / New Students with who are delayed due to late visa Issuance

If global students are currently living elsewhere in the U.S., may they stay where they are and continue at GU in online classes?

No. Students on an F-1 visa are required to be on campus if the campus is open per US immigration law. If you are in the U.S. please make arrangements to get to Erie prior to the start of classes on January 25.

I am not sure about traveling to the U.S. at this time. Can I choose to stay home and enroll in Gannon University's online classes?

If you are in the U.S. or can get to Erie by January 25, please make arrangements to do so. Due to the pandemic situation, F-1 students may only enroll online at Gannon under the following circumstances:

  1. If there are travel restrictions between students' home countries and the U.S.
  2. If there is a delay in student’s ability to obtain F-1 visa in time to attend in-person classes
  3. If there is an inability to obtain or renew F-1 visa for entry to the U.S

Students who cannot get to the United States may apply for approval to attend classes remotely. Please complete this Remote Class Delivery Request. Deadline for Remote Access Registration is (To be determined) 23:59 U.S. E.S.T. You will need your Gannon network ID and password.

What if I do not get my visa on time? What is the last date I can arrive on campus?

New Students contact Global Admissions at global@gannon.edu or Tel: +1 814-871-7480 / WhatsApp: +1-814-440-9419
Returning students contact Global Support at globalsupport@gannon.edu or Tel: +1 814-871-7133

What happens to my SEVIS I-20 if I remain in home country and continue my courses online or through remote access?

Currently, the guidance states that if you are a continuing student with an Active I-20, you can study from abroad as long as you maintain full time enrollment. However, we do not know how long this guidance will last, and there is a possibility we will later be required to terminate I-20s for students studying from home countries (as Authorized Early Withdrawal – an action that does not have a future negative impact).

THEME: COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS/PREPAREDNESS

How are students/faculty/staff protected from COVID-19 on the Gannon University campus?

Gannon University : Please see latest updates and precautions here http://ww5.gannon.edu/Emailblasts/president/COVID/06-10-20/

I am concerned about what I see in the news that is happening in the U.S. How does that affect me as an international student?

The U.S. is made up of people from all over the world: refugees, immigrants, and Native Americans. Some have lived here for generations; some are “first generation” or “new Americans.” There are good and bad people everywhere. Gannon University prides itself on being a very welcoming and inclusive campus environment, as does the Erie community. The Catholic university and religious tradition boasts being one of inclusion, service, and intellectual freedom toward education. At Gannon, you will observe and experience a welcoming environment where those of all cultural identities are warmly embraced.
As international students, you have interacted with our Global Admissions staff and through pre-arrival videos and upon arrival you’ll meet the staff in Global Support and the many others who will be here to welcome you during Global Student Orientation.

Sources of Good Information

Gannon University

Local

State of Pennsylvania

National

International

General Coronavirus COVID-19 medical information, such as symptoms

Myth-busting

State Department Travel Restrictions

For ANY questions related to these or others you may have, please contact our staff at the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement at globalsupport@gannon.edu.

 

VISAS & IMMIGRATION STATUS

My visa is expiring, and I am unable to travel to my home country at this time. What should I do?

Students may stay in the United States on an expired F-1/J-1 visa as long as they maintain their immigration status by being in possession of a valid I-20/DS-2019 and an I-94 Arrival/Departure record, and by meeting normal enrollment requirements. Please contact the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement (OGSSE) via email at globalsupport@gannon.edu  if you have questions regarding your visa or immigration status.
If you travel outside the US on an expired visa, you will be required to return to the US Consulate in your home country for a new visa before you return to the US.
Students who continue to make normal progress in their course of study remain eligible for admission to the United States when travel restrictions are lifted.
To request an I-20 (travel signature or program extension), please contact us at globalsupport@gannon.edu for instructions.
If you are on OPT or STEM OPT and you need to update your employer information, please continue to use https://forms.gle/jUpg1aYeJEpdCxUR8

I want to speak with an advisor at the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement. What should I do?

Please email globalsupport@gannon.edu or find us individually HERE. In your email include your name, GU ID number, Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number, phone number and a description of your inquiry, and we will respond. You could also text us at +1 814 397 2170.
Global/international students are still required to maintain a full course load during this temporary transition to online instruction or synchronistic instruction. You should not fall below the full course requirement unless you have been permitted to do so either through a Reduced Course Load (RCL) or Leave of Absence (LOA) approved by GU’s Office of Global Support and Student Engagement (OGSSE).
Your well-being and up-to-date contact information is critically important to us and to the entire university.

My immigration documents are currently with GU’s Office of Global Support and Student Engagement. How will I receive them?


If you have been contacted by a staff member that your immigration document is ready to be sent to you, please respond to provide your mailing address. Contact the Office Global Support and Student Engagement at globalsupport@gannon.edu if you have questions about mailing and shipping.

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) & CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)

I need to apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension. Is it possible to apply while I am abroad?

As of October 8, 2020, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has not released any changes to its existing STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension application instructions. Therefore, students must be physically present in the United States to apply for a STEM OPT Extension.

I am currently on Optional Practical Training (OPT), and my employer told me to work from home. Am I in violation of my immigration status?

Employers may ask their Optional Practical Training (OPT) employees to work from home. This will not affect their F-1 status. Students must still report their employment information to ensure they do not accrue days of unemployment in their SEVIS record.

I am currently on Optional Practical Training (OPT), but I haven't found a job yet. I am nearing the end of my 90 days of allowed unemployment, but I am unable to leave the United States. What should I do?

In the event you are unable to find paid or volunteer employment and you are nearing the 90th day of unemployment on OPT, please contact GU’s Office of Global Support and Student Engagement at globalsupport@gannon.edu for consultation with an advisor.

I mailed my Optional Practical Training (OPT) application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) two weeks ago, and I haven’t received a receipt notice. Is USCIS still open and processing applications? What should I do?

It usually takes 1-3 weeks for students to receive an I-797 receipt notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you haven’t already done so, please check your bank/credit card statement to verify if USCIS has withdrawn the funds from your account. If you don’t receive the I-797 receipt notice by the third week, please contact GU’s Office of Global Support and Student Engagement at globalsupport@gannon.edu.
On June 4, 2020, USCIS began to reopen and resume non-emergency public services. Benefits that do not require in-person appointments with USCIS such as Optional Practical Training (OPT)/STEM OPT applications are still being accepted.

Contact Us / View Resources

ALL COVID-Updates for Gannon University:https://update.gannon.edu/Update