International Student and Scholar News
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The Office of International Services (OIS) is working virtually during the summer. If you need to see an advisor in person, contact our office to make arrangements. The fastest way to reach us is by email: oiss@yu.edu
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Friday: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday
In case of an emergency, outside of regular business hours, you can reach a staff member by calling the 24-hour Security number: 212-960-5200
Executive and Regulatory Actions Under the Second Trump Administration (NAFSA) Updated Frequently
NAFSA is compiling information and links to executive actions by the President and administrative actions by federal agencies related to international education, during the Trump-Vance administration (January 20, 2025 - January 20, 2029).
Posted 5/27/2025
The Department of State (DOS) Pauses Adding New F, M, J Visa Appointment Capacity Pending Guidance on Expansion of Social Media Screening.
May 27, 2025. Politico reported on May 27 that the Department of State (DOS) is ordering U.S. embassies and consulates to temporarily pause adding "additional F, M, and J "visa appointment capacity" until it issues further guidance, expected "in the coming days," on an expansion of social media screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor applicants. The U.S. government has not posted information yet. See NAFSA's page for details and additional context.
Posted 5/22/2025
SEVP Sends Notices to OPT Students Without Employer Information in SEVIS
Federal law limits how long F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT can be unemployed. The limits are:
- Post-completion OPT: 90 days.
- STEM OPT: 150 days, which includes any days accrued while on post-completion OPT.
On May 15, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security sent an email message to students who have exceeded or are approaching the 90/150 unemployment limit. Students who have been working but have not reported their employment must do so immediately or risk the auto-termination of their F-1 status and work authorization.
Additional information about OPT and unemployment, including and unemployment counter, can be found on Study in the States. For assistance reporting employment information, contact oiss@yu.edu.
Students with authorized STEM/OPT who do not plan to use it should notify oiss@yu.edu so we can help you avoid a Terminated SEVIS record.
Posted 5/2/2205
Domestic travel within the United States
Beginning May 7, 2025, a Real ID will be needed from anyone age 18 or older to board all domestic flights inside the U.S. and to enter certain federal buildings. You may use a passport instead of a Real ID. Real ID FAQ
Posted 3/13/2025
Information for Student and Exchange Visitors with Dependent Children in the U.S. **Update**
New USCIS guidance will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to "re-register" with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday, even if previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14. Most nonimmigrants who entered the U.S. at age 14+ are already automatically registered (as evidenced by their Form I-94) and DON'T need to re-register.
Instructions are posted on the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration
Posted 3/5/2025
Information for Student and Exchange Visitors with Dependent Children in the U.S.
New Immigration Registration Requirements. The guidance that USCIS posted on February 25, 2025, will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to "re-register" with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday, even if they were previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents, and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14.
Most nonimmigrants (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc.) who entered the U.S. at age 14+ are already automatically registered (as evidenced by their Form I-94) and DON'T need to re-register. The new registration process isn't available yet, but USCIS will announce it when ready. (Please remember to carry your form I-94 with you at all times.)
Complete information, including how to prepare to register, is posted on the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration
Posted 02/19/2025
U.S. Department of State (DOS) Revises Visa Interview Waiver Policy
Department of State Interview Waiver Update, 2/18/2025
A February 18, 2025 Interview Waiver Update rescinds prior DOS expansions of interview waiver authority, for example, reinstating the statutory 12-month post-expiration period for applicants who previously held a visa in the same category. This marks a shift from the previous policy, which allowed interview waivers for applicants whose prior visa had expired within the past 48 months. Please refer to the DOS website for other eligibility requirements and complete information.
Posted 2/11/2025
Are you applying for a Social Security number (SSN)? Remember to schedule an appointment before going to the Social Security Administration office. Please refer to the SSN application instructions posted on this website.
Posted 1/7/2025
President Biden has declared Thursday, Jan. 9, a National Day of Mourning to remember the life and legacy of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th president of the United States, and has issued an Executive Order Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on January 9, 2025.
Accordingly, all USCIS offices will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9. We will reschedule all naturalization ceremonies, interviews, and appointments set for that day, and promptly inform those affected.
All applicants with biometric appointments scheduled for Jan. 9 will receive a new notice within three weeks. Applicants can also reschedule their appointment using the biometric services appointment rescheduling tool on their USCIS online account before their scheduled appointment.
The USCIS Contact Center live assistance will also be closed. USCIS online tools and resources will remain available. Additional information is available on the Contact Us page.
Posted 1/7/2025
Effective 12/9/2024: J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List updated - Certain Countries Removed Retroactively
On Monday, December 9, 2024, the US Department of State published Public Notice 12555 in the Federal Register, updating the Exchange Visitor Skills List. The new Skills List becomes effective on December 9, 2024, and is retroactive.
- J-1 and J-2 nonimmigrant exchange visitors who were subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence requirement (INA 212e) at the time of their admission to the US or acquisition of J status based on designations in a previously published Skills List, will no longer be subject to this requirement if their country of citizenship or legal permanent residence is not designated in this revised list, regardless of the notation on their US entry visa in the passport or Forms DS-2019.
- Some countries removed from the Skills List include the People’s Republic of China, India, Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea, among others. Please review the Public Notice to determine if your country, has been removed.
Background: Some participants in J-1 Exchange Visitor programs, and their J-2 dependents, become subject to the Two-Year Physical Presence Requirement, which has consequences following completion of their programs. There are multiple ways a person can become subject, including: funding from their home government, certain U.S. and international government agencies and organizations; participation in the Fulbright Program; medical residency programs; and working in a field/profession listed on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for their home country (country of citizenship or last legal permanent residence upon entry to the US or change of status to J-1/J-2). Individuals who are subject to the Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement are obligated to return to their country of citizenship or last legal permanent residence for an aggregate period of two years upon completion of their J program, and are prohibited from changing immigration status within the United States, obtaining H, L or K status, or adjusting status to US permanent resident until the requirement is satisfied or waived.
- This notice does not remove the application of the Two-year Physical Presence requirement to J-1s and J-2s whose subjectivity is based on criteria other than the Skills List (such as funding source or type of exchange program).
J-1 exchange visitors with questions should contact the Office of International Services at oiss@yu.edu.
12/11/2024
The Office of International Services (OIS) has been receiving inquiries about international travel over the winter break. As of 12/11/2024, there have not been any official changes to the F-1 regulations by the incoming administration. The OIS travel information section on the OIS website has been updated to include a few additional documents that we believe are prudent to carry with you. Please take a moment to review it.
The F-1 regulations require all students to report to school on time. Therefore, the OIS is advising all new students to report to campus for orientation, and no later than the "start of classes" date noted on page 1 of their I-20, and all continuing students to return to school by the first day of their spring semester. Please carefully consider your travel plans. If your arrival or return to school is delayed, there is a chance you could have difficulty at the border.
The OIS will post future updates on this webpage. Please contact oiss@yu.edu with any questions or concerns.
Posted 3/4/2024 On January 31, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a Final Rule adjusting filing fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefit applications. The new filing fees will be effective April 1, 2024. USCIS also published a Frequently Asked Questions page for the new Fee Rule, which includes a summary of the rule and a full New Fee Schedule Table.
These fee adjustments are in addition to the adjustments made to premium processing fees due to inflation which USCIS had published as a final rule on December 28, 2023. Updated premium processing fees go into effect on February 26, 2024.
USCIS will also be releasing new forms for each of these applications to coincide with the effective date of the new fee amount.
Highlighted fee updates include:
Student Visa Applications
Student (Fand M) visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, students will not be allowed to enter the United States on their student visa more than 30 days before the program start date. Student Visa (state.gov) Please keep in mind that the validity period of the F-1 visa is based on diplomatic reciprocity, not the length of the program of study.
The Department of State has informed U.S. embassies and consulates and CBP of the Interim Final Rule to minimize confusion as exchange visitors travel to the United States.
Special Student Relief (SSR) is different from Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and is available for students from select countries who are experiencing emergent circumstances (natural disasters, war, national financial crises). Students can check their eligibility for SSR on Study in the States. If you believe you qualify for Student Special Relief, please email oiss@yu.edu for assistance.