Click on the sections below to read specific information on immigration topics:
DHS Fixed Admission Rule for Limiting Duration of Status for F-1 and J Nonimmigrants and Restricting Academic Flexibility
F-1 Enrollment Rules, Processing Deadlines, Announcement of Drop-In Sessions for Fixed Admission Rule Questions Key Items Temporary Online Drop-In Sessions In the month of September, OIPS will host four additional online drop-in and Q+A sessions for students to ask questions about the new federal Fixed Admission Rule Limiting Duration of Status and Academic Flexibility, which is expected to take effect on September 15. See this webpage for more information about this new rule: https://oips.gmu.edu/federal-immigration-rule-f-1-j-1/ Below are the links to join each session. Registration is not required to attend. The online drop-in sessions are for students who prefer individual advising and will provide an opportunity for students to meet 1-1 with an OIPS advisor. The Q+A sessions are for students who prefer group advising and will provide an opportunity to listen to the questions posed by F-1 international students at George Mason. OIPS advisors will only answer questions about the new rule in these sessions. Questions about other immigration topics can be addressed in our regular online drop-in sessions, which take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3:15: https://go.gmu.edu/OnlineDropInHours The Fixed Admission rule impacts both F-1 and J-1 students, but these sessions can only answer questions about the impacts of this rule on F-1 students. J-1 students: please contact Christine Bodziak at [email protected] for support with J-1 questions. This rule is complex and is subject to change. Our office is working hard to understand and provide information and clarification about the many aspects of this rule. Information shared in these sessions is for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. Deadlines for Change of Major, Change of Education Level, and Program Extension Processing for F-1 Students before Fixed Admission Rule Changes take Effect OIPS standard processing time is 7-10 days after we receive a complete request. For certain types of requests, OIPS may be able to process changes before the Fixed Admission Rule takes effect. To allow enough time for review and I-20 issuance by September 14, 2026, OIPS must receive a complete request with required documentation from students and departments or Registrar notification by the deadlines listed below: Change of Major: Change of Education Level: Program Extension: Transfer-In I-20 : Students who are transferring from another school must submit all required documents and have their SEVIS record released to George Mason by September 8, 2026. Other important information: Enrollment Requirements to Maintain Valid F-1 Status : As you prepare for the Fall 2026 semester, please remember that maintaining F-1 status requires you to meet enrollment requirements each Fall and Spring semester, including the required number of face-to-face (F2F) or hybrid credits. Please review the F-1 Student Enrollment, Travel, and Work Rules on the OIPS website for complete information, including enrollment requirements, exceptions, and examples: F-1 Student Enrollment, Travel, and Work Rules A few important reminders: Additional reminders not covered in detail on the website: Please continue to monitor your Mason email and the OIPS website for updates, as U.S. government guidance and OIPS policies may change. If you have questions about your enrollment, please contact OIPS before making changes to your schedule. Thank you for paying attention to these important reminders and requirements. The Staff of the Office of International Programs and Services
Important CPT Policy Review OIPS is currently reviewing our Internship Curricular Practical Training (CPT) policy in response to recent federal guidance, SEVP Broadcast Message, 8/12/26 and SEVP Broadcast Message, 8/24/26 regarding CPT eligibility. We are working with campus partners and experts to ensure that our CPT practices remain consistent with federal requirements and University academic standards. We want students who are considering CPT for an upcoming term to plan ahead and understand how the proposed standard may affect their academic and internship plans. What is OIPS reviewing? Under the policy being considered, CPT would be authorized only when the practical training experience is a required part of the student's established degree curriculum and is required of all students pursuing the applicable degree program. The student must be unable to complete the degree requirements without completing the practical training component. An internship, practicum, or practical training course that is available as an elective, or as one of several optional ways to satisfy a degree requirement, would not make students eligible for CPT. Fall 2026 CPT processing is paused for students who are not able to provide proof that a practical training experience is a degree and graduation requirement for all students pursuing your degree program. What should you do? If you are considering CPT for Fall 2026 or another upcoming term, we strongly recommend that you: We recognize that many students are making important academic, registration, and employment decisions for the upcoming semester. We are sharing this information now so that you have an opportunity to speak with your academic advisor and make a backup academic plan. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work to provide clear and consistent guidance. Please continue to monitor OIPS communications and the CPT webpage for updates. Best, Office of International Programs and Services
Travel Ban Guidance for Current Students from Affected Countries (Spring 2026) On December 16, 2025, the United States Government issued an updated travel ban for citizens from certain countries. Fortunately, the ban does not apply to current students who remain in the U.S. even if they are from one of the countries on the travel ban list. However, the travel ban may affect students who leave the U.S. and attempt to re-enter, especially if their visa has expired. If you are a citizen of one of the countries on the travel ban list, please carefully read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below to see how the travel ban affects current students. Also, please see the second part of the FAQs for information about how you can still study at George Mason with the guidance of your academic department in the unlikely event that you are unable to return to the U.S. in time for Spring 2026 studies. Your department is ready to support you in continuing your student journey. TRAVEL BAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) – CURRENT STUDENTS Individuals Affected by the Travel Ban I am from one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burundi, Cuba, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Venezuela, and Yemen. I have a valid visa in my passport issued before June 9, 2025. Does the travel ban apply to me? No, the travel ban does not apply to students who have a valid visa as of June 9, 2025, according to the Department of State announcement here. However, please reconsider traveling outside of the U.S. at this time. If you do choose to travel, see the “Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when I arrive even if I have a valid visa in my passport that was issued before the effective date of the travel ban for my country?” information below to understand what to expect at U.S. Customs and Border Protection if you chose to travel outside of the U.S. I am from one of the following countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and travelers with Palestinian Authority issued documents. I have a valid visa in my passport issued before January 1, 2026. Does the travel ban apply to me? No, the travel ban does not apply to students who have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. However, please reconsider traveling outside of the U.S. at this time. If you do choose to travel, see the “Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when I arrive even if I have a valid visa in my passport that was issued before the effective date of the travel ban for my country?” information below to understand what to expect at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. I am a citizen of one of the countries on the travel ban list. I am currently in the U.S. with an expired visa. Does the travel ban apply to me? No, the travel ban does not apply to you. An expired visa does not mean you are unlawfully present. However, carefully consider how any planned travel outside the U.S. may impact you. You may find it difficult to renew your expired visa to re-enter the U.S. since your country is on the travel ban list. Will my visa be revoked if I am a citizen of one of the countries on the travel ban list? There is no indication from the U.S. government that your visa will be revoked. The current travel bans apply to students currently outside of the U.S. who do not have valid visas issued by the travel ban effective date. I am a citizen of one of the countries on the travel ban list. I am currently in the U.S. but would like to travel and return. Will the travel ban affect me? The travel ban does not officially apply to you since your visa was issued before the travel ban effective dates and you are not currently outside of the U.S. However, there is risk involved with traveling outside of the U.S. if you are from one of the affected countries due to how the travel ban rules are applied by Customs and Border Protection. We recommend that you reconsider any travel at this time, as you may encounter challenges with re-entry to the U.S. If you choose to travel, see “Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when I arrive even if I have a valid visa in my passport that was issued before the effective date of the travel ban for my country? I am a citizen of one of the countries on the travel ban list. I am currently outside of the U.S. with an expired visa. Does the travel ban apply to me? The travel ban may not officially apply to you. However, it will be challenging for you to renew your visa since your country is on the travel ban list. Contact the U.S. embassy in your country to ask if you are eligible for a renewal. Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when I arrive even if I have a valid visa in my passport that was issued before the effective date of the travel ban for my country? You should be able to enter the U.S. if your visa is valid before the travel ban effective date for your country. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that all international travelers encounter upon arrival, has the final authority to allow or deny entry. How they interpret the ban will ultimately determine if you can enter the U.S. or not. Taking the steps below may increase the likelihood of your successful entry: For students from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and travelers with Palestinian Authority issued documents, with a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026, you should be able to enter the U.S. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that all international travelers encounter upon arrival, has the final authority to allow or deny entry. How they interpret the ban will ultimately determine if you can enter the U.S. or not. Taking the steps below may increase the likelihood of your successful entry: Academic and Enrollment Information for students affected by the travel ban The following information applies to F-1 students from countries subject to the travel ban who are unable to re-enter the U.S. due to denial of entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or denial of visa renewal under the terms of the ban. All other students are expected to arrive in the U.S. by the start of the Fall term. How do I attend George Mason if I am not able to enter the U.S in Spring 2026? Can I study online? If you are interested in online studies, ask your academic department if this option is available. Note that Iranian students are not eligible for online study due to U.S. sanction laws. It is very important for you to be aware of the enrollment requirements that you need to follow once you re-enter the U.S. in the future to continue studies in F1 status. See “How does online study affect my ability to meet enrollment requirements once I re-enter the U.S.” How does online study affect my ability to meet enrollment requirements once I re-enter the U.S.? It is very important for you to be aware how online study may impact your ability to meet full-time and in person requirements once you re-enter the U.S. on F-1 status. To remain in compliance, it is important to plan ahead. If you are interested in online study, consult with your academic department first to develop an enrollment plan that allows you to meet full-time and face-to-face/hybrid requirements once you re-enter the U.S. Academic contacts can be found below. What should I do if I cannot study in the U.S. in Spring 2026? Do I need to drop my Spring 2026 classes to avoid tuition penalty? Yes. If you unable to continue with any Spring 2026 classes for which you are registered, you must drop those classes on Patriotweb to avoid tuition payment penalties. Make sure you drop the classes by the last day to add for your program. See the Student Accounts Calendar and specifically review the Liability Dates section. We recommend that you drop your courses by the first day of class to avoid any mistakes. How do I contact my academic department for additional questions about my program? For Undergraduate academic questions, please see the contacts for your college below: For Graduate academic questions, please see the contacts for your college below: We hope this information is helpful to you. While there may be current challenges to your entry into the U.S, we hope that we can soon welcome you in person to the George Mason community. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions about your visa status.
Travel Ban Guidance for New Students from Affected Countries (Spring 2026) On December 16, 2025, the United States Government issued an updated travel ban for citizens from certain countries. We understand that news of this ban may be upsetting to new students who were planning to attend George Mason University in Spring 2026. Please carefully read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below to see how the travel ban affects your plans to enter the U.S. Also, please see the second part of the FAQs for information about how you can still study at George Mason with the guidance of your academic department. TRAVEL BAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) Individuals Affected by the Travel Ban I am from one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burundi, Cuba, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Venezuela, and Yemen. I do NOT have a valid visa in my passport issued before June 9, 2025. Does the travel ban apply to me? Yes, the ban applies to you. Unfortunately, you will not be able to enter the U.S. Please see the “How do I attend George Mason if I am not able to enter the U.S. in Spring 2026? Can I study online?” information in the section below. I am from one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burundi, Cuba, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Venezuela, and Yemen. I have a valid visa in my passport issued before June 9, 2025. Does the travel ban apply to me? No, the travel ban does not apply to students who have a valid visa as of June 9, 2025, according to the Department of State announcement here. Please see the “Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when I arrive even if I have a valid visa in my passport that was issued before the effective date of the travel ban for my country?” information below to understand what to expect at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when you arrive. I am from one of the following countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and travelers with Palestinian Authority issued documents. I do not have a valid visa in my passport issued before January 1, 2026. Does the travel ban apply to me? Yes, the ban applies to you. Unfortunately, you will not be able to enter the U.S. Please see the “How do I attend George Mason if I am not able to enter the U.S. in Spring 2026? Can I study online?” information in the section below. I am from one of the following countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and travelers with Palestinian Authority issued documents. I have a valid visa in my passport issued by January 1, 2026. Does the travel ban apply to me? No, the travel ban does not apply to students who have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. Please see the “Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when I arrive even if I have a valid visa in my passport that was issued before the effective date of the travel ban for my country?” information below to understand what to expect at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when you arrive. I was approved for an F-1 visa but I am waiting for it to be issued. Does the travel ban apply to me? Unfortunately, even if you were approved for a visa but were not issued one yet, the travel ban likely applies to you. Even if your visa application was approved, you don’t have a valid visa until it has been physically issued and stamped in your passport. Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Protection when I arrive even if I have a valid visa in my passport that was issued before the effective date of the travel ban for my country? For students from Afghanistan, Burundi, Cuba, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Venezuela, and Yemen, with a valid visa issued before June 9, 2025, you should be able to enter the U.S. according to the Department of State announcement found here . However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that all international travelers encounter upon arrival, has the final authority to allow or deny entry. How they interpret the ban will ultimately determine if you can enter the U.S. or not. Taking the steps below may increase the likelihood of your successful entry: For students from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and travelers with Palestinian Authority issued documents, with a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026, you should be able to enter the U.S. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that all international travelers encounter upon arrival, has the final authority to allow or deny entry. How they interpret the ban will ultimately determine if you can enter the U.S. or not. Taking the steps below may increase the likelihood of your successful entry: Academic and Enrollment Information How do I attend George Mason if I am not able to enter the U.S in Spring 2026? Can I study online? There is no visa related restriction for you to study online since you do not have F-1 status until you enter the U.S. Please contact your academic department directly to find out if it is possible to begin your studies online. It is very important for you to be aware of the enrollment requirements that you need to follow once you enter the U.S. in the future to begin studies. See “Enrollment Requirements for Students” below. Note that students from Iran are prohibited from studying online due to U.S. sanction laws. What are the enrollment requirements for students and how does online study affect my ability to meet these requirements? Once you enter the U.S. you are required to enroll full-time (9 credits for most graduate students, 12 credits for undergraduates) and take a minimum number of face-to-face/hybrid credits (6 credits for most graduate students, 9 credits for undergraduates). See https://oips.gmu.edu/f-1rules/ for detailed information, including requirements for graduate assistants and Into Mason students. Students beginning their studies online must ensure they meet in person requirements once they enter the U.S. and activate their visa status. To remain in compliance, it is important to plan ahead. If you are interested in online study, you should consult your academic department first to develop an enrollment plan that allows you to meet full-time and face-to-face/hybrid requirements once you enter the U.S. If online study is not possible, consider deferring your enrollment to Fall 2026 or a future semester with the guidance of your academic department. Academic Department contacts can be found below. How do I defer admission after I have determined this is the best option with guidance from my academic department? Contact [email protected] (graduates) or [email protected] (undergraduates) for additional information. Do I need to drop my Spring 2026 classes to avoid tuition penalty? Yes. You must drop your classes on Patriotweb to avoid tuition payment penalties. Make sure you drop the classes by the last day to add for your program. See the Student Accounts Calendar and specifically review the Liability Dates section. We recommend that you drop your courses by the first day of class to avoid any mistakes. How do I contact my academic department for additional questions about my program? For Undergraduate academic questions, please see the contacts for your college below: For Graduate academic questions, please see the contacts for your college below: We hope this information is helpful to you. While there may be current challenges to your entry into the U.S, we hope that we can soon welcome you in person to the George Mason community. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions about your visa status.
Travel Ban Guidance for New Students from Iran (Spring 2026) On December 16, 2025, the United States Government issued an updated travel ban that affects students from Iran and other countries. Unfortunately, the latest ban confirms that students from Iran are still not allowed to enter the U.S. unless they have a valid visa issued before June 9, 2025. We understand that news of this ban may be upsetting to new students who were planning to attend George Mason University in Spring 2026. Please carefully read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below to see how the travel ban affects your plans to enter the U.S. At the end of this email, you will also find a list of academic department contacts if you have questions about your future enrollment at George Mason. TRAVEL BAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) Individuals Affected by the Travel Ban I do not have a valid visa in my passport as of June 9, 2025. Does the travel ban apply to me? Yes, the ban applies to you. Unfortunately, you will not be able to enter the U.S. Please see the “How do I attend George Mason if I am not able to enter the U.S. in Spring 2026? Can I study online?” information in the section below. I have an F1 visa stamp in my passport that was issued before June 9, 2025. Does the travel ban apply to me? No, the travel ban does not apply to students who have a valid visa as of June 9, 2025, according to the Department of State announcement here. Please see the “Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol when I arrive even if I have a valid visa issued by June 9, 2025?” information below to understand what to expect at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol when you arrive. Will I have problems at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol when I arrive even if I have a valid visa issued by June 9, 2025? The travel ban does not apply to you since you have a valid visa issued by June 9, 2025. However, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the agency that all international travelers encounter upon arrival, has the final authority to allow or deny entry. How they interpret the ban will ultimately determine if you can enter the U.S. or not. Taking the steps below may increase the likelihood of your successful entry: Academic and Enrollment Information How do I attend George Mason if I am not able to enter the U.S in Spring 2026? Can I study online? Unfortunately, you will need to defer your admission to a future term. Most Iranian students are restricted under U.S. sanction laws from online study and must defer admission if they are unable to enter the U.S. How do I defer admission after I have determined this is the best option with guidance from my academic department? Contact [email protected] (graduates) or [email protected] (undergraduates) for additional information. Do I need to drop my Spring 2026 classes to avoid tuition penalty? Yes. You must drop your classes on Patriotweb to avoid tuition payment penalties. Make sure you drop the classes by the last day to add for your program. See the Student Accounts Calendar and specifically review the Liability Dates section. We recommend that you drop your courses by the first day of class to avoid any mistakes. How do I contact my academic department for additional questions about my program? For Undergraduate academic questions, please see the contacts for your college below: For Graduate academic questions, please see the contacts for your college below: We hope this information is helpful to you. While there may be current challenges to your entry into the U.S, we hope that we can soon welcome you in person to the George Mason community. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions about your visa status.
Visa Pause and Enhanced Screening Information for New Students Visa Pause and Enhanced Screening Information for New Students Updated on December 19, 2025. Reports indicate that visa pauses ended mid-June 2025 and resumed with increased social media screening. See the information below regarding social media accounts and preparation for the visa interview. What should you know about providing information about my social media accounts? You are required to provide information on your social media accounts on the DS-160 visa application. Additionally, you may be asked about your social media accounts during your visa interview. Ultimately, you need to decide what information you choose to disclose. If you are concerned about the content of your social media presence, consider speaking to an immigration attorney before taking additional action. Keep in mind that failing to provide information about your social media accounts could result in the perception that you are hiding information, especially since the consulate may be able to find out if you do have an account. Be certain to provide an accurate spelling of your full name and other information used to identify you. This will help minimize mistakes in associating you with the wrong social medial accounts. This is particularly important if you have a common name in your country. What documents should you have for your visa interview once you able to schedule it? What should you be able to explain during your visa interview? You should be able to clearly explain the reasons why you are seeking a non-immigrant F-1 or J-1 visa to enter the U.S. and your plans for returning to your country. Be truthful with your answers. Do you need a letter of support from OIPS or the university? Based on current guidance, letters of support are not considered effective in visa approvals. What matters most is that you have all the required documents and can clearly and truthfully explain your intention to study in the U.S. Your admission letter and I-20/DS-2019 serve as official proof of your eligibility to study at George Mason University. The U.S. government has announced a travel ban for citizens of certain countries. The majority of new George Mason University students will not be affected by the ban. New students who may be affected will receive a separate message from us soon. Detailed information can be found at https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/presidential-proclamation-orders-travel-bans-19-countries We will continue to monitor these policies and provide any helpful updates. We want to emphasize that we support you and welcome your presence at George Mason University. We are eagerly waiting to meet you soon!1. Visa Pauses
2. Travel Ban
Travel and Immigration Guidance for F-1 and J-1 Students Updated on April 17, 2025. We understand this is a time of uncertainty for many in our international community. The Office of International Programs and Services is here to support and assist you. Below, we’ve outlined important guidance on travel and immigration enforcement concerns. Travel Guidance If you are considering travel outside the U.S., including Summer and Winter Holiday Break 2025, carefully assess potential risks. Also, consider postponing an international trip if the following information may apply to you: Ultimately, if you decide to travel outside of the U.S., please make sure that you have valid documents to re-enter the U.S: Immigration Enforcement Activities Reports of detainments and deportations of non-immigrant visa holders have understandably caused concern. Our past experience says that F-1 or J-1 students who remain focused on their studies or authorized work and comply with visa regulations are not typically targeted by enforcement activities. See below for additional information. We hope this information supports you in navigating the situation this semester and beyond Do you have questions? Contact us to make an appointment or attend weekly drop-in sessions with advisors on questions related to F-1 and J-1 visa status. We want to assure you that we are closely following developments. When we have concrete information, we will provide additional guidance. Travel and Immigration Guidance for F-1 and J-1 Students Updated on April 17, 2025. We understand this is a time of uncertainty for many in our international community. The Office of International Programs and Services is here to support and assist you. Below, we’ve outlined important guidance on travel and immigration enforcement concerns. Travel Guidance If you are considering travel outside the U.S., including Summer and Winter Holiday Break 2025, carefully assess potential risks. Also, consider postponing an international trip if the following information may apply to you: Ultimately, if you decide to travel outside of the U.S., please make sure that you have valid documents to re-enter the U.S: Immigration Enforcement Activities Reports of detainments and deportations of non-immigrant visa holders have understandably caused concern. Our past experience says that F-1 or J-1 students who remain focused on their studies or authorized work and comply with visa regulations are not typically targeted by enforcement activities. See below for additional information. We hope this information supports you in navigating the situation this semester and beyond Do you have questions? Contact us to make an appointment or attend weekly drop-in sessions with advisors on questions related to F-1 and J-1 visa status. We want to assure you that we are closely following developments. When we have concrete information, we will provide additional guidance.
Essential Documents and Responsibilities for F-1 and J-1 Students As you head off for Summer Break, we want to reassure F-1 and J-1 international students that the Office of International Programs and Services is closely monitoring any new administrative actions to determine if there is any potential impact on you. We know that it’s essential to assess new announcements carefully to avoid spreading misinformation. Rather than rushing to share potentially outdated information, we need to review updates thoroughly. When we have concrete information, we will provide guidance. If you are following the enrollment requirements of your visa status and have completed F-1 and J-1 check-in with OIPS and are in good academic standing, we have fulfilled current Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reporting requirements, including maintaining an active and valid SEVIS record for you. However, due to the increased efforts by the Department of Homeland Security in general, we recommend taking specific actions at this time. Please note that this guidance is not based on new policies but on existing laws. Following these regulations is essential to demonstrating your eligibility to be present in the U.S. to pursue your educational and career goals. Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires "every alien" 18 years of age and over to "carry with him and have in his personal possession" their "evidence of registration document" (such as Form I-94, a valid EAD card, or green card) "at all times," including when traveling domestically or just going about daily life.
Recommended Travel Preparation Checklist