WASHINGTON: The United States has said it would not allow international students to remain in the US if their classes are moved online in the fall because of the COVID-19 crisis.

The US Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) said in a statement: “Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States.”

According to the ICE, active students in the US enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status.

It added that they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings.

According to the ICE, the State Department will not issue visas to international students enrolled in schools that are fully online for the fall semester nor will US Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States.

Reports said as many as 14 thousand Nepali students are likely to be affected with this decision.

(With inputs from Agencies)