Immigration News and Updates

Today July 17, 2026, DHS/ICE (Department of Homeland Security-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) published the final rule to end "duration of status" (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants in the Federal Register.

The Federal Register Final Rule is titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media”

Please note: ISSS is currently reviewing the full announcement and collaborating with university leadership to support our international student and scholar community. Further detailed information and guidance will be provided in the coming days.

Initial Summary

• Effective as of September 15, 2026: This new rule goes into effect 60 days after the  publication on July 17, 2026.
• Fixed-date admissions to the United States: This final rule eliminates "duration of status" (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants and creates a fixed end date of admission (known as “admit until date”). This date would be 4 years, the current I-20/DS-2019 program end date if not on Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT, or the Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT end date if on Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT, whichever is sooner.
• Formal I-539 extension of stay process: If you need additional time beyond the admit until date, you would need to request an extension of stay with USCIS or travel and re-enter the U.S.
• Cap on ESL duration of admission with USCIS: If you are in the ESL+ program, you would be limited to 24 months of study. If admitted into a degree program, you would need to re-establish a new admit until date. 
• Restrictions on SEVIS transfers and changes of educational objectives:
  • Undergraduate students may only change their majors or transfer schools after their first year of study.
  • Graduate students would not be able to transfer your SEVIS record or change majors.
  • Exceptions considered by SEVP on a case by case basis.
• Prohibition on lateral or reverse matriculation: If admitted into a new program you would not be able to go from Master’s to Associate’s, Master’s to Master’s, etc.
• Advancing to a higher education level: If admitted into a new program it must be into a higher educational level (e.g Bachelor’s to Master’s, Master’s to Doctoral, etc.) and you would need to re-establish a new admit until date.

Brief synopsis
The final rule replaces “duration of status” admissions to the United States in F and J nonimmigrant status with fixed end dates on Form I-94. This will require students and exchange visitors to file formal extension applications with USCIS to stay beyond their I-94 "admit until" date (AUD), shortens the F-1 post-completion grace period from 60 to 30 days, and imposes new limits on academic flow and educational mobility.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will implement transition provisions for F and J nonimmigrants who were admitted for D/S on their Form I-94 and are inside the United States on September 15, 2026, the final rule effective date. These individuals will not have to immediately apply for a date-certain I-94, but they must still apply for an extension of stay in order to remain in status beyond the program end date on their current Form I-20 or DS-2019, or four years from the final rule effective date, whichever is shorter, and will also be subject to the new academic restrictions in varied ways. If someone in this transition group exits the United States and reenters on or after September 15, 2026, CBP will readmit them with a Form I-94 with a date-specific AUD.

The DHS/ICE (Department of Homeland Security-US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) proposed rule to end "duration of status" (D/S) for F, J, and I nonimmigrants has been published in the Thursday, August 28, 2025 Federal Register. A public inspection version of the proposal is now available.

The current DHS rule allows F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to be admitted into the U.S. for "duration of status" (D/S). This means you may remain in the United States as long as you are properly maintaining status and your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) has not expired, or you have entered practical training and are maintaining status for the duration of the approved practical training. 

The proposed new rule, if approved, will admit students and scholars into the U.S. only until the program end date noted in their Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years, plus a period of 30 days following their program end date. 

Under the proposed new rule, individuals who need time beyond their period of admission for whatever reason (e.g., an extension of program, school transfers, moving academic levels, use of post-completion practical training or academic training) would have to timely file a complete extension of stay application with USCIS before their prior admission expires.

Since this is at the proposed rule stage, a rule would not become final until after the agency reviews public comments on the proposed rule, submits a final rule for Office of Management and Budget (OMB)  review, and then publishes a final rule in the Federal Register with a future effective date. 

The proposed rule also contains other information that is concerning. ISSS will work closely with university leadership on steps to advocate against areas of this rule that will negatively impact international students and scholars. 

ISSS will keep the community updated with news and information as it comes out.

In light of evolving concerns and reports of travel bans, SEVIS record terminations, executive orders, and other status concerns under the Trump Administration, international F-1 and J-1 students and scholars at The New School can refer to this Q&A for help with answers to sensitive questions.

The university is closely monitoring news reports for any additional travel restrictions that may affecting F and J international students. We recommend that you check this webpage regularly for updates. Our ISSS team advises our current international students and scholars to take extra precautions when traveling internationally.  

If you are a new student applying for the F or J visa for the first time or you are a current student with an expired visa or a visa that will expire before your return to the United States, please keep in mind that visa applications at U.S. embassies and consulates will likely be subject to additional scrutiny. This may result in longer wait times or delays in receiving a visa. Please take this into consideration in your travel planning. Learn more about how to apply for a visa.

Please refer to the ISSS Travel Checklist for information on what you need to prepare in order to enter the United States. The ACLU has more information about your rights when traveling.

What to Expect Upon Arrival in the United States
Please see our page about Entry to the U.S. for more information about what to expect when crossing the border at a U.S. port of entry, and review our Travel Checklist for the documents you need to physically carry with you when you arrive.

Once F and J international students and scholars are admitted into the United States, it is important that they follow the regulations for F or J status and our guidance on maintaining nonimmigrant status while in the United States. You must also be sure to report any address changes within ten days of moving within the United States. As someone who is maintaining your nonimmigrant status, you can rest assured that you are in the United States lawfully with proper documentation.

Interaction with ICE Agents

• If approached by an ICE agent after you have entered the United States, you may be asked to show your immigration documents.
• The following webpage includes resources on knowing your rights if approached by law enforcement.
• You should be prepared to show proof of your immigration status.
• While in the United States, you are required to keep your I-94 record with you at all times.
• The I-94 is your certificate of registration of entry to the United States and changes every time you enter the country.
• Access and print out your I-94 after arriving in the United States.

You should also have the immigration documents listed below accessible while you are in the United States. ISSS recommends that you save these documents on your phone in a folder or another electronic device with easy access. Please be aware that if you are providing your device to the ICE agent to show your documentation, they may have the right to look at other information on the device, including social media. Consider protecting access to personal, private, and other information stored on your device that is not related to your documentation, such as financial apps and social media.

• Passport
• Visa
• Signed I-20
• I-797A (if status has changed)

Helpful Tips

• Store all original documents in a secure location at home—a safe, a lockbox, a filing area, or another location you feel comfortable keeping your documents in.
• Carry your university ID to show that you are a student at The New School.
• Have access to your course registration to show that you are an enrolled student.
• Be sure to have ISSS contact information saved in your phone for easy access in case any information needs to be confirmed by the ICE agent.
• Memorize important phone numbers in case your phone is taken away.
• Report any interactions you have with ICE agents to [email protected].
• If you have an emergency situation related to immigration, you can contact the ISSS emergency phone line at 212.229.7001 with your name and New School ID number.

Recently the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) sent out a  notification by email to students on OPT, titled Student and Exchange Visitor Program: Notice of Failure to Report Optional Practical Training Employer and Exceeding Permissible Period of Unemployment.

This notification advised students who have been participating in OPT for more than 90 days but have not reported employer information that they must update their SEVIS records within 15 days of the notice. Otherwise, SEVP will set the record to “terminated” to reflect the lack of employer information and the students' potential violation of F-1 status through failing to timely report OPT employment or exceeding the permissible period of employment while on OPT.

Although the first notifications were sent out on May 15, 2025, it is anticipated that these notifications will continue to go out to students who have exceeded 90 days of unemployment while on OPT. 

It is unclear whether students on STEM OPT who have exceeded the 150-day maximum for unemployment will also receive notifications.

Emails from SEVP are sent to the student’s email account as it appears in the SEVIS record. For a New School student, that email address is the student’s New School email address. You must check your New School email account regularly.

Required Action
ISSS sends weekly email reminders to all students on OPT who have exceeded 75 days of unemployment. The email is titled Close to or Exceeded 90 Days of Unemployment on OPT.

Students must review this email and follow instructions to not exceed the regulatory limit of 90 days of unemployment while on OPT.

For additional information on this government action, please visit the NAFSA website.

On June 4, the U.S. Presidential Proclamation restricting entry of certain foreign nationals to the U.S. was announced. This proclamation restricts entry of certain immigration categories of nationals of 19 countries and will go into effect at 12:01am on June 9, 2025 EST.

Travel Restrictions
Nationals of Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen.

• The proclamation will restrict entry into the United States of F and J international students, J scholars, and F and J dependents that are:
  • Outside the United States on the applicable effective date of the proclamation; AND
  • Do not have a valid visa in their passport on the applicable effective date of the proclamation

Returning International Students and Scholars on F or J visas

• If you or your dependents are outside the United States with a valid visa, ISSS strongly recommends that you return before June 9 to avoid any misinterpretation of the current proclamation by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. 
• Although the travel ban would allow you to reenter the United States with a valid visa, you may encounter challenges at the port of entry if you are returning after June 9. We recommend that you meet with an ISSS advisor before traveling.
• If you are currently in the United States , ISSS does not recommend traveling outside of the United States after June 9, 2025, until the re-entry process is better understood.
• As always, students traveling outside the United States should review:
  • The ISSS webpage on Travel
  • The ISSS Student Travel Checklist or Scholar/Professor Travel Checklist
  • They should also have the ISSS emergency phone number available: 212.229.7001

New International Students and Scholars

• If you have not received your F or J visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate to study for the fall semester at The New School, it will be difficult under this current proclamation to be approved for a visa and enter the United States for the fall.
• The university will monitor challenges to this proclamation and provide regular updates when available.
• Students who have received a F or J student visa previously that remain valid should contact ISSS at [email protected]  to schedule a meeting  to discuss your options.
• If you are currently in the United States, please contact [email protected] to discuss your options for remaining in the United States. Any travel outside of the United States after June 9, 2025, is not recommended until the re-entry process is better understood.

Additional Important Points from The Proclamation

• No immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of the proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.
• The proclamation includes additional travel restrictions to the United States for other immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories  for specific countries.
• The proclamation provides a list of exceptions to the travel restriction for special immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and statuses. 
• There will be a periodic government review of the list of travel ban countries to assess whether the restrictions should be continued, modified, suspended, or supplemented. Within 90 days of the proclamation and every 180 days thereafter, the secretary of state must submit a report to President Trump 

Please see the following webpages for additional details and context.

• The Association for International Educators (NAFSA))
• travel.state.gov

On June 18th, the Department of State (DOS) announced that it has ordered U.S. embassies and Consulates to apply enhanced vetting of social media for F and J visa applicants. This new directive allows consular officers to examine online activity to identify any content that may raise concerns about the applicant’s eligibility for a U.S. visa. This announcement was made following the end of a three week visa appointment pause for DOS to instruct consular officers on these new guidelines for enhanced vetting of social media. Please see NAFSA's page for details and additional context. As these guidelines are still new, it is not yet known how exactly they will be applied in practice. 

Recommendations for F and J international students and scholars

• If you are currently outside the U.S. without a valid visa and have been issued an I-20 or DS-2019, unless you are a citizen of Canada, Bermuda, or another visa exempt country, schedule your new visa appointment as soon as possible. 
• Prepare required documentation by the U.S. embassy or consulate for your visa appointment. Typical visa application documentation requirements by U.S. embassies and consulates can be reviewed on the ISSS visas page.

Review and prepare for updated consular social media vetting for visa applications.

What You Need to Know About Social Media Vetting:

• Starting the week of June 23, all F and J visa applicants will be required to set their social media profiles to “public” prior to their visa appointment interviews. 
• Lack of visible online presence or refusal to make social media public could delay visa processing or result in a visa refusal under INA 221(g).
• Consular officers are instructed to review social media content for any hostile views toward U.S. laws, institutions, culture, or citizens.
• Screenshots of applicants’ online activity may be taken and retained as part of the visa review by consular officers.
• Additional scrutiny or further visa interviews may be requested by the consular officers based upon the applicant’s social media content.

Re-entry and Arrival to the U.S.

• Make sure you have all required immigration documentation to enter the U.S., and see the ISSS travel webpage for additional information.
• Review and understand what to expect when interacting with U.S. border officers for entry to the U.S.
• For new, incoming students for the Fall 2025 semester, ISSS will be communicating more details in early August regarding late arrival options for the semester.
• If you are a continuing student returning to study in the Summer or Fall semester and are unable to arrive on time for the start of classes, please discuss your academic options with your Academic Advisor and update ISSS regarding your enrollment plans so that we can advise you further on your visa status.
• If you are abroad during Post-Completion OPT and unable to return to the U.S. because you cannot renew your visa, please speak with an ISSS advisor during our Drop-in Hours or one-on-one appointment to discuss your situation further. 
• If you are a scholar or professor in J-1 status, and are unable to return to the U.S. because you cannot renew your visa, please schedule an appointment with the ISSS scholar advisor using the Scholar and Professor Wednesday appointment link. 

On May 27th, 2025 the Department of State (DOS) announced that it has ordered U.S. embassies and Consulates to temporarily pause adding additional F, M, and J visa appointment capacity until it issues further guidance on an expansion of social media screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor applicants (see section below for details). 

On June 18th, 2025 the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced in a cable to embassies and consulates that the pause in scheduling new F-1 and J-1 student visa appointments has been lifted and the scheduling of interviews can resume. 

NAFSA, the National Association for International Educators encourages students to check the State Department appointment system regularly for appointment releases during working hours. 

If you are currently outside the U.S. and do not already have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and need to schedule your visa appointment, please schedule your appointment as soon as your country's system re-opens. If you have previously scheduled a visa appointment from before the pause, keep your original appointment to apply for your new visa. For students enrolling in the Fall semester, please note that New Student Orientation begins Monday, August 18, 2025 (new incoming students) and Fall classes begin Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

A valid visa is required for entry to the U.S. as described below:

Who Must Apply for a New F-1 or J-1 Visa?

• New Students issued an I-20 or DS-2019 for the upcoming semester at The New School who are outside the U.S. and are not already in possession of a valid F-1 or J-1 visa.
• Continuing Students who are currently outside the U.S. with an expired F-1 or J-1 visa.

Who Does Not Need to Apply for a New F-1 or J-1 Visa?

• New or Continuing students who are citizens of Canada, Bermuda, or another visa exempt country do not need an F-1 or J-1 visa in their passport but must still have a valid I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 international student.
• New or Continuing students who are already in the U.S. and maintaining F-1 or J-1 student status may remain inside the U.S. with an expired visa.

How to Schedule a Visa Appointment

• Complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application to apply for a new F-1/J-1 Student Visa
• Students issued an I-20 will be applying for an F-1 student visa
• Students issued a DS-2019 will be applying for a student category J-1 exchange visitor visa
• When you submit this form, you will schedule an in-person appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for your visa. 
• You will need your printed I-20 or DS-2019 for this appointment.
• For additional information about the visa process, click here.

Late Arrival for the Fall Semester
ISSS will share more information in August to all international students regarding late arrival options for the Fall semester. We encourage all students to plan to arrive in time for the start of the Fall semester.

The U.S. State Department recently updated the Visa Reciprocity tables. The below countries as of July 8, 2025 now have their nonimmigrant visas limited to 3-months with a single-entry restriction. These visas include F and J student and scholar visas and their dependents.

The counties impacted are:

Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

This new reciprocity restriction would only affect F and J students and scholars who would have a new visa issued after July 8, 2025. Visas issued after this date would be issued as single entry to the U.S. and be issued for a 3 month duration.

What does this mean? 

• New visas will be single (1 or S) entry as opposed to multiple (M)
• Visa duration will be 3 months, which means entry into the U.S. must be within the 3 month period after visa issuance 
• You can remain inside the U.S. with an expired visa but active SEVIS record
• A new visa will be needed to reenter the U.S. if traveling after 3 month visa expiration date

Exceptions

• If you were issued an F or J visa in your passport prior to July 8, 2025 that shows multiple (M) entry and has a future end date, you may continue to use that visa for re-entry to the U.S. in F or J status for the duration of that visa and valid active SEVIS record.

Where can I confirm if I have a single or multiple entry F-1 or J-1 visa? 

• This is located under “Entries” on the left side of the visa
• You can find our linked F-1 Student Visa Example to assist in your search

For information on traveling, please be sure to review our Travel Checklists:

• F-1 and J-1 Student Travel Checklist 
• J-1 Professor/Research Scholar Travel Checklist  

On July 4, 2025, U.S. Congress passed congressional budget law, H.R.1, which proposed a new fee of not less than $250 to be determined by the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and to be paid upon issuance of a non-immigrant visa. Non-immigrant visa categories include all F and J visas. For more information, please review the NAFSA announcement page.

Currently, no additional details have been announced regarding how and by whom this fee will be collected. ISSS will continue to monitor reports about this and update students as more information becomes available.

On August 19, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has expanded they types of benefit requests that receive social media vetting, adding reviews for anti-American and antisemitic actively to that vetting stating that such activity will be “an overwhelmingly negative factor in any applicable case involving USCIS discretionary analysis.”

Some of the common applications that international students may apply for with USCIS that would undergo additional review include:

• Change of nonimmigrant status
• Reinstatement of F-1 or J-1 status
• F-1 Employment Authorization for OPT, STEM OPT, or Economic Hardship
• For additional information please see the NAFSA website.

On September 6, 2025 the U.S. Department of State updated instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants. The statement was as follows:

• Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
• Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere. See the list of designated embassies and consulates on the announcement webpage.

To learn more about how to apply for and renew a visa, visit the ISSS Visas page.

DHS announced an interim final rule, effective Oct. 30, 2025, ending the practice of automatically extending the validity of employment authorization documents (EADs) for individuals who apply to renew their EAD in certain employment authorization categories.

F-1 Students not Impacted by the Final Rule
F-1 student with a pending STEM optional practical training (OPT) extension application were not impacted by this final rule as they were not eligible for the increased automatic extension period of up to 540 days under 8 CFR 274a.13(d). List of categories that were impacted by the removal of the extension can be found on the USCIS webpage

For F-1 students who file the STEM OPT extension application on time and the OPT period expires while the extension application is pending, employment authorization is automatically extended for 180 days. This automatic 180-day extension will end when USCIS adjudicates the STEM OPT extension application.

For information on the STEM OPT Extension for New School students please visit the following ISSS webpage.

You may read additional information on this topic at the Klasko Immigration attorney webpage.

On December 12, 2025, USCIS issued Policy Alert PA-2025-29 to take effect immediately for benefit requests to USCIS filed on or after the policy alert date. Specifically, the policy alert indicates that self-submitted photos (ex. Passport photos) will no longer be accepted by USCIS for benefit requests. Instead, USCIS will require photos be taken in person through biometrics collection at a local Application Support Center (ASC). 

While the policy alert does not specifically include I-765 applications for Optional Practical Training (OPT) nor change the I-765 instructions for photographs, NAFSA regulatory guidance (NAFSA: Association of International Educators) has referenced that I-765 OPT applications are considered benefit requests. NAFSA is also seeking further details from USCIS regarding the scope of this new policy announcement to confirm its impact on applying for OPT and filing I-765 applications.

Until further clarity regarding the scope of this policy is available, ISSS advises F-1 students filing new application for OPT to be aware of the following out of an abundance of caution for the processing of their OPT application:

• Continue to file the OPT application normally with USCIS, including obtaining and submitting passport-style photos as indicated in the application form instructions. 
• Refer to the ISSS OPT webinar for more information on how to file the OPT application.
• Anticipate the possibility of receiving a notice from USCIS to appear in person for a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC). 
• Monitor your MyUSCIS account and U.S. mailing address for any notices from USCIS regarding your OPT application, including any notices of requirement for biometrics collection.
• If required to appear for biometrics collection, this may slow the processing of your application
• If you are not able to appear for a scheduled biometrics appointment, respond to the notice to appear before the scheduled appointment date to request rescheduling. Failing to respond or failing to appear for the appointment may result in your OPT application being denied by USCIS.
• Understand risks of travel
• Due to the increased possibility of biometrics collection, you must be able to receive and respond to any notice to appear for a biometrics appointment. Traveling internationally with a pending OPT application, therefore, poses increased risk of being unable to respond to this notice or appear for the appointment, leading to possible denial by USCIS.
• We therefore recommend out of an abundance of caution to not travel while your application is pending in order to best avoid the increased risk to your OPT application and F-1 status.

ISSS will continue to monitor for updates to this policy and any guidance that may impact you as an F-1 student on OPT. As any further updates become available, we will reach out to inform students of any changes.

On December 16, 2025, the U.S. Presidential Proclamation restricting entry of certain foreign nationals to the U.S. was announced. This proclamation restricts entry of certain immigration categories of nationals of 23 countries and will go into effect at 12:01am on January 1, 2026 EST. 

This new proclamation adds these 23 countries to the June 9, 2025 Proclamation restricting travel and visa issuance of the original 19 countries. One country, Turkmenistan, was removed from the travel restriction list. 

The ISSS summary below is being sent to enrolled students, those on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training, and scholars who are citizens of the impacted countries. 

Travel Restrictions
Nationals of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d ‘Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Laos, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Authority, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe

The January 1st proclamation will restrict entry into the United States of F and J international students, J scholars, and F and J dependents that are:

Returning International Students and Scholars on F or J Visas

• If you or your dependents are outside the U.S. with a valid visa, ISSS strongly recommends that you return before January 1, 2026 to avoid any misinterpretation of the current proclamation by Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBP). 
• If you have a valid visa, along with other valid travel documents, any travel into the U.S. after January 1, 2026 may pose additional challenges and risks. 
• If your visa has expired and you are inside the U.S. international travel is not recommended as you would not be able to obtain a renewed visa to re-enter.

New International Students and Scholars

• If you have not received your F or J visa by January 1, 2026 from the U.S. embassy or consulate to study for the Spring semester at The New School, it will be difficult under this current proclamation to be approved for a visa and enter the U.S. for the Spring.
• The university will monitor challenges to this proclamation and provide regular updates when available. 
• For students that have received a F or J student visa previously and it remains valid, please contact ISSS to discuss your travel options.
• If you are inside the U.S., please contact ISSS to discuss your options to remain in the U.S. Any travel outside of the U.S. after January 1, 2026 is not recommended, as it may pose additional challenges and risks.

Additional Important Points from Proclamation

• No immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of the proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.
• The proclamation includes additional travel restrictions for other immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories into the U.S. for specific countries. 
• The proclamation provides a list of exceptions to the travel restriction for special immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and statuses. 
• There will be a periodic government review of the list of travel ban countries to assess whether the restrictions should be continued, modified, suspended, or supplemented. Within 90 days of the proclamation and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State, must submit a report to President Trump 

Please see NAFSA (The Association for International Educators) webpage for additional details and context. 

White House Fact Sheet on the Proclamation

USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 on January 1, 2026, with guidance stating that USCIS will place a “hold” on all immigration benefit applications for applicants of certain countries of birth or citizenship while it conducts a more comprehensive screening review of the application as well as reviews and updates its institutional screening policies for applicants of these countries.

This policy states that an applicant who is born in or holds citizenship of the countries affected by the previous Presidential Proclamations PP 10949 and PP 10998 is subject to the policy guidance. These countries are: 

Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Although there is a “hold” on processing of immigration benefit applications, eligibility requirements for the benefits are unchanged. 

Please review the ISSS Q&A on the Policy Memorandum for additional information. Students with questions are encouraged to meet with an ISSS advisor to further discuss concerns.

On January 16, 2026 the U.S. Department of State announced that effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing all visa issuance to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen 

Please note: This does not impact non-immigrant F or J visa processes, nor does it impact change of status processes in the U.S. when applying to USCIS.

Be sure to review the official announcement on the Travel.state.gov webpage. As well as additional information on the NAFSA webpage.

The U.S. Department of State has had the authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny a visa based on the likelihood of an applicant becoming a public charge in the United States.

Individuals who have accepted public benefits in the past or are deemed a likely applicant of becoming a public charge in the future may be denied a non-immigrant visa.

Consular officers are tasked with vigilant screening  and vetting of visa applicants to prevent non-U.S. citizens who cannot cover their own living expenses, including medical costs, from traveling to the United States with the expectation that American taxpayers will bear those costs.

More information can be read on the February 26, 2026 post on the Department of State webpage.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on May 22nd a new policy memo reiterating the fact that, consistent with long-standing immigration law and immigration court decisions, aliens seeking adjustment of status must do so through consular processing via the Department of State outside of the country. Officers are directed to consider all relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether an alien warrants this extraordinary form of relief. 

You may read the detailed USCIS information on this webpage

In a June 5, 2026 memorandum and order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, USCIS's "Benefits Hold Policy, the Global Asylum Hold Policy, the Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and the Country-Specific Factors Policy - are declared unlawful and are vacated and set aside." 

This includes the halt of all applications for immigration benefits submitted by people born in or having the citizenship of any of the thirty-nine countries subject to entry restrictions imposed by President Trump in his two "Travel Bans."

This decision vacates and sets aside the following USCIS policies:

1. The USCIS halt of adjudications of requests for asylum, without regard to the applicant’s country of origin (the "Global Asylum Hold").

2. The USCIS halt of all adjudications of requests for immigration benefits (the "Benefits Hold") submitted by people born in or having the citizenship of any of the thirty-nine countries subject to entry restrictions imposed by President Trump in his two "Travel Bans."

3. The policy under which USCIS had been reviewing and reconsidering all of its past decisions granting any immigration benefit to anyone from a country subject to the Travel Bans and who entered the country since the beginning of the Biden Administration (the "Comprehensive Re-Review").

4. The USCIS amendments to its Policy Manual that require agency personnel to consider a person’s country of origin as a negative factor when adjudicating a request for discretionary benefits (the "Country-Specific Factors Policy").

See and download the case filings and decisions, including the court's June 5, 2026 memorandum and order, on CourtListener. 

On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed Proclamation 10973 titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers which sought to restrict the entry to the United States of H-1B specialty occupation workers unless employers paid an extra $100,000 fee under certain conditions. The proclamation was set to expire 12 months after the September 21, 2025 effective date.

Litigation updates: 

• District Court vacates policies implementing the $100K fee. On June 8, 2026 the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts declared "unlawful" the agency policies that implemented the $100K proclamation, and vacated those policies in their entirety, in a memorandum and order issued that day, finding that the $100,000 fee was a "tax" that DHS is not permitted to levy. The government is expected to challenge the ruling. For an analysis of the impact of the decision read, Immigration Ruling Strikes Down $100,000 H-1B Fee. What’s Next?, by Stuart Anderson, Forbes, June 8, 2026.
• Government appeals. On June 11, 2026 the government filed a notice of appeal of the District Court's judgement, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
• Partial administrative stay granted. On June 12, 2026 the government filed with the District Court a motion for a stay pending the entire appeal process. The District Court denied that motion, but granted the government's alternative request for an administrative stay, which stays the District Court's order "pending a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on the anticipated Motion to Stay pending appeal from the Defendants, provided the Defendants file such a Motion in the Circuit no later than Thursday, June 18, 2026." This has the effect of restoring the $100K fee under those conditions.

ISSS recommends you visit the NAFSA (Association of International Educators) webpage for more information on the updated guidance. 

***Please note that ISSS only advises F-1 and J-1 students and scholars regarding their F-1 or J-1 status. If you are a former New School student who is currently on H-1B or you are a current F-1, or J-1 student or scholar at The New School and have a pending H-1B petition, or are preparing to apply for H-1B, we recommend that you speak with your employer or a U.S. immigration lawyer to discuss the impact this proclamation may have on your H-1B status or petition. 

Today July 17, 2026, DHS/ICE (Department of Homeland Security-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) published the final rule to end "duration of status" (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants in the Federal Register.

The Federal Register Final Rule is titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media”

Please note: ISSS is currently reviewing the full announcement and collaborating with university leadership to support our international student and scholar community. Further detailed information and guidance in the coming days.

Initial Summary

• Effective as of September 15, 2026: This new rule goes into effect 60 days after the publication on July 17, 2026.
• Fixed-date admissions to the United States:This final rule eliminates "duration of status" (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants and creates a fixed end date of admission (known as “admit until date”). This date would be 4 years, the current I-20/DS-2019 program end date if not on Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT, or the Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT end date if on Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT, whichever is sooner. 
• Formal I-539 extension of stay process: If you need additional time beyond the admit until date, you would need to request an extension of stay with USCIS or travel and re-enter the U.S.
• Cap on ESL duration of admission with USCIS: If you are in the ESL+ program, you would be limited to 24 months of study. If admitted into a degree program, you would need to re-establish a new admit until date. 
• Restrictions on SEVIS transfers and changes of educational objectives: 
  • Undergraduate students may only change their majors or transfer schools after their first year of study.
  • Graduate students would not be able to transfer your SEVIS record or change majors.
  • Exceptions considered by SEVP on a case by case basis. 
• Advancing to a higher education level: If admitted into a new program it must be into a higher educational level (e.g Bachelor’s to Master’s, Master’s to Doctoral, etc.) and you would need to re-establish a new admit until date.

• Prohibition on lateral or reverse matriculation: If admitted into a new program you would not be able to go from Master’s to Associate’s, Master’s to Master’s, etc.

Brief synopsis

The final rule replaces “duration of status” admissions to the United States in F and J nonimmigrant status with fixed end dates on Form I-94. This will require students and exchange visitors to file formal extension applications with USCIS to stay beyond their I-94 "admit until" date (AUD), shortens the F-1 post-completion grace period from 60 to 30 days, and imposes new limits on academic flow and educational mobility.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will implement transition provisions for F and J nonimmigrants who were admitted for D/S on their Form I-94 and are inside the United States on September 15, 2026, the final rule effective date. These individuals will not have to immediately apply for a date-certain I-94, but they must still apply for an extension of stay in order to remain in status beyond the program end date on their current Form I-20 or DS-2019, or four years from the final rule effective date, whichever is shorter, and will also be subject to the new academic restrictions in varied ways. If someone in this transition group exits the United States and reenters on or after September 15, 2026, CBP will readmit them with a Form I-94 with a date-specific AUD.