Dear international students,

After consulting with the Office of International Students and Scholars as needed, students with a valid F- or J-visa, may enroll in UNLV classes that meet on-campus, online, remote, or in a hybrid capacity this semester due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that some students may be enrolled in all remote or online UNLV classes this fall and opt to study from locations outside the United States.

During the COVID-19 disruptions, the university has developed a framework for allowing qualified continuing students to proceed with anticipated fall GA, student worker, or other work appointments if they are temporarily stranded outside the U.S. due to government-imposed travel restrictions or would experience a significant hardship by returning to the U.S. at the start of the fall term to begin their planned assistantship. To be eligible, students must meet the following conditions:

The student must already be appointed as a Graduate Assistant, student worker, or another type of employee at UNLV. For GAs, all requirements from the Graduate Assistant Handbook apply, including enrollment requirements.
The student must be in possession of a valid F-1 I-20 record, or a J-1 DS-2019 record, issued by UNLV which remains in SEVIS "active" status for the fall 2020 semester.
If supported by a sponsored project or grant, the funds must allow activities from a foreign location.
The individual must 1) have already returned to his or her home in the country of residence; OR, 2) be in a temporary accommodation while in a third country (not U.S. or home country) as a result of COVID-19; OR, 3) face significant hardship if required to stay in the U.S. for the fall 2020 semester; OR, 4) face significant hardship or be prohibited from returning to the U.S. due to a government-mandated travel restriction prohibiting or limiting travel out of the current country or entry into the U.S. as a result of COVID-19 at the initiation of the appointment period.
The assigned work activities must be able to be performed remotely.
If applicable, the Export Controls office has confirmed assignment activities can be performed from a foreign location. The student may NOT be located in one of the following countries: Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and the Crimea Region of the Ukraine.
The student has the resources, e.g. internet, computer, phone, etc. necessary to work remotely.
The student has a U.S. bank account for direct deposit of their paychecks.

These exceptions allowing students who are abroad, enrolled, and working remotely are narrow and temporary because there are complex legal and tax implications for both the university and the students. Please note that the exception criteria are for the fall 2020 semester only. In addition, international students enrolled and working outside the U.S. may be subject to local or international laws and/or tax reporting requirements. Students are solely responsible for and liable for any tax, legal, or compliance consequences of their remote employment outside the United States, as well as any future visa implications.

All my best,