Communique – Volume 16, Number 5
June 2020, part 2
Greetings from the ISSO!
In this issue:
- Expansion of Presidential Proclamation Bans Certain Employment Visas
- Continuing COVID-19 Related Travel Bans Limit Options for Returning to the US
Expansion of Presidential Proclamation Bans Certain Employment Visas
Yesterday, President Trump announced an expansion to his April 22, 2020 Presidential Proclamation that extends the ban on immigrant visa processing through December 31, 2020. More importantly, it suspends nonimmigrant visa applications for H-1B, H-2B, L-1 and certain J-1 Exchange Visitor categories (as well as qualifying dependent family members) until December 31, 2020. In reality, the temporary ban means that visa processing for the H-1B and H-4 classifications at US Embassies and Consulates will be suspended for the remainder of the calendar year. The suspension applies to both new and continuing employees who are currently outside of the US and require an initial or renewal of their H-1B visa to commence or return to their position at BU.
This proclamation does not apply to or impact the following:
- J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term scholar, Student, Student Intern or Specialist categories or their J-2 dependent family members
- Individuals already in the US in the H-1B or H-4 nonimmigrant visa classification
- Filing of petitions for either a change of status or extension of status at USCIS Service Centers
We urge you to read the summary and link to the proclamation in the news section of the ISSO website as well as the explanation of how it may impact some of your international employees. We encourage members of our international community and interested faculty and administrators to join us for an ISSO Q&A on the New Ban for Nonimmigrant Employment Visas on Monday, June 29 at 4:30 pm. Registration is required to confirm your attendance via Zoom.
Continuing COVID-19 Related Travel Bans Limit Options for Returning to the US
Travel bans restricting nonimmigrant travel to the US from mainland Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland and the United Kingdom as well as 28 European countries continue to limit entry to the US for members of the BU scholar community. Unfortunately, this situation is very fluid and can change at any time. Up-to-date country specific information is available on the ISSO website. The ISSO continues to recommend caution regarding any international travel as country travel restrictions are subject to change.
If a scholar or employee in your area decides to travel, their ability to return to campus may be limited should they be subject to one or more of the associated travel bans noted above and/or nonimmigrant visa processing suspensions (see Communique – Volume 16, Number 4). We recommend that departments consult with their HR Business Partner or the International Hiring Working Group to discuss options for extended remote employment (out of the US) or to consider options for a leave of absence under BU policy.
The Scholar Services Team remains committed to advising and assisting our international scholar community during this challenging time. We appreciate your continued support!