Category: Fall 2024 Workshops

USCIS Expands Premium Processing

May 4th, 2023 in Fall 2024 Workshops

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a phased-in expansion of premium processing for certain employment authorization and changes of status applications. USCIS premium processing allows for case review within a guaranteed time frame which may be more accelerated than regular USCIS case processing. Premium processing is now available for F-1 students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT Extensions. Additionally, USCIS has announced a plan to expand premium processing to I-539 applications this summer. The I-539 is a form commonly used to apply for a change of nonimmigrant status within the United States and for reinstatement of F-1 student status. Please note that premium processing requires the applicant to pay the premium processing fee, file a separate I-907 application form, by paper or online, in addition to the I-765 or I-539 application and supporting documentation.

For I-765 OPT and STEM OPT extension applicants: USCIS will require a $1500 fee to review the case and forward a response within 30 calendar days. ISSO recommends that you compare current USCIS I-765 processing times at the Potomac Service Center before deciding whether to pay for premium processing to insure a 30-day adjudication. You should also evaluate:

  • when your OPT application was or will be received by USCIS
  • your requested OPT start date
  • potential travel plans

For I-539 changes and/or extensions of nonimmigrant status applicants: USCIS has indicated they will begin accepting premium processing for pending I-539 petitions in May and concurrently for new I-539 applications in June but we are waiting on specific dates and additional details. USCIS will require a $1700 fee to review the case and forward a response within 30 calendar days. Once launched, ISSO recommends that you compare current USCIS processing times before deciding whether to pay for premium processing to insure a 30-day adjudication. You should also evaluate:

  • when your application was or will be received by USCIS
  • the expiration date of your current status and/or your requested start date
  • potential travel plans

Premium processing will begin of the day your I-907 premium processing request is received by USCIS. While it allows for a guaranteed turnaround, it does not guarantee an approval. As always, we encourage you to discuss the pros and cons of premium processing with an ISSO student or scholar advisor.

Winter Travel Reminders

December 28th, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Are you planning to travel internationally during the upcoming winter break? Please refer to our current Travel Advisory carefully to ensure you are fully prepared to travel and to return to the United States for spring 2023 semester.

Check your Documents

  • Do you have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa for your return? If you need to renew your visa, please check the wait times at your preferred US Embassy or Consulate to ensure you have enough time to go through the visa process and return in time for the start of the spring semester. More information about visa renewals can be found on our current Travel Advisory.
  • Do you have a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019? A travel signature is generally valid for one year, and can be used for multiple trips abroad. (The signature is valid for six months only for F-1 students on approved F-1 Optional Practical Training.) More information about Travel Signatures can be found on our current Travel Advisory.

COVID Considerations

While international travel has resumed, COVID related travel restrictions and visa processing is still being impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative that you review the CDC website for US COVID entry requirements as Proof of a US CDC acceptable vaccination is still required for nonimmigrant travel to the US.

It is critical that you monitor the situation and follow our Current Travel Advisory for the latest updates as the situation continues to change without advance warning.

For example: visa processing in China was suspended on 12/15/2022 due to a surge in COVID cases. Visa processing resumed at most posts in China on 1/3/2023. In addition, the USCDC announced that proof of a negative COVID test will be required for all air passengers travelling to the US from China, Hong Kong and Macau with 10 days effective at 12:01am on January 5, 2023. This will also include travelers who have been in China, Hong Kong and Macau who travel through Seoul, Toronto and Vancouver.

It is important that you plan ahead so you can ensure that you can return to campus before the spring semester begins. If you are unable to return on time, you may be required to take a leave of absence for the spring semester.

Please plan in advance the ISSO will be closed during for winter intersession beginning at 12pm Friday, 12/23/2022 until 9am Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Spring 2023 Workshops

December 21st, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Please find our virtual immigration workshop series below. Join us at one of our scheduled workshops to learn about maintaining status and employment benefits as an F-1 student and ask questions. In addition, do access one of our on-demand workshops available on our website about OPT or on-campus student employment.

Spring 2023 Workshop Series

Post Completion OPT Application Basics and Q&A

This workshop covers topics for students preparing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including eligibility factors and timing of application, considerations for travel and employment, and tips for preparing and submitting the OPT application. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

STEM OPT Basics and Q&A

This workshop is designed for students who have already applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and who may already be working on OPT. Covers advanced OPT topics including an overview of STEM OPT, allowing OPT extensions for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. After this workshop, students should be prepared to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

Employment Authorizations for Internships

It’s not too early to begin planning for a summer internship. This workshop covers F-1 student employment authorization options for off-campus work and internships including: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Life After F-1- Transitioning to Other Immigration Options

Join the ISSO to learn more about what happens when you reach the end of your F-1 or J-1 path. Learn about possible next steps if you would like to continue living and working in the United States.

Special Topics in Immigration with Featured Immigration Attorneys

Join ISSO and local attorneys who specialize in immigration to learn more about special immigration topics;

Immigration Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Non-Traditional Employment

Immigration Considerations for BUSM MD Students

On-Demand Workshops – access them anytime!

Student Employment

This workshop covers tips for finding a job on campus, U.S. work permission, your rights and expectations as a U.S. worker, Social Security numbers, getting paid and taxes. It is now offered online in an on-demand format. If you are interested in learning about how to work at BU, you can watch the video any time!

You're Hired! On Campus Employment for International Students- on demand workshop

OPT Application Basics

Want to know more about the OPT Application process? Check out the OPT Application Basics Workshop below. This video is a 25 minute overview intended to introduce you to basic concepts and terms. You will learn more about what OPT is, when you should apply, and how to maintain your status while on OPT. We recommend that you watch this video when you are starting to think about OPT as it gives you a good overview of the entire process.

OPT Applications Basics – on demand workshop

Two International Students Share their Successes Interning at CBS News and Boston Medical Center

October 5th, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Phoebe Chen and Vaibhavi Hansrajani gained valuable experience in their industries

While enrolled at Boston University, many international students go on to participate in high-impact internships that give them relevant experience before graduating. We recently sat down with two international students to learn about their recent successes while interning over the summer at CBS News and with Boston Medical Center’s nephrology team.

Phoebe Chen (COM '23), who was born and raised in Taiwan, is studying Journalism at BU. She has a double minor in Advertising and Computer Science, and she interned with CBS News this summer as a Rotational News Intern at CBS’ New York flagship station. During her two-month-long internship, she rotated through multiple areas in the newsroom, including production, engineering operations, sales, and creative services.

Q&A with Phoebe Chen:

Phoebe Chen pictured at her internship at CBS News

This interview with Chen has been condensed and edited.

  1. What did you learn or accomplish in your role at your internship?

Chen: Since my sophomore year in college, I have taken every opportunity to gain experience that prepares me for a career in journalism. I’ve taken numerous news-related classes, written for my school’s newspaper and local newspaper, reported and produced packages for BU’s television station and interned with other news media. I thought that I’d pretty much covered everything needed to work in this industry. But the two months at CBS proved me completely wrong. Everything I know about news production was superficial, and what I had learned is only the tip of the iceberg. A 30-minute-news-cast that seems straightforward—with anchors reading the script and B-roll playing on screen— is a product of collaborative efforts among different departments. With any single part missing, the newscast would go wrong.

What I saw over the two month internship was completely new to me. It is the foundation of the whole broadcast system, and people from each department in the industry should know, or at least have a brief idea of how things work out.

As an intern, I spent most of my time in the newsroom, studios, and the control rooms. I got to shadow and work with the producers, directors, reporters and photographers, where they shared their knowledge and responsibilities. I felt lucky that we got to witness how they dealt with breaking news during my last days in the newsroom. The importance of immediate response is another thing I learned. We never know what will happen, so the best thing to do is to always be ready and take in a tense situation calmly.

  1. Did you find anything surprising or unexpected? Either about the culture or the work that you did?

Chen: During our internship, we got to help CBS set up New York's primary debate in the broadcast center. This was an opportunity that we did not expect, but it was amazing to witness how much "behind the scenes" effort the crew put in before the candidates arrived at the studio and went on camera.

  1. How do you hope to apply your experience for your future career goals?

Chen: In my opinion, the Asian perspective is immensely underrepresented in most American media, and I have witnessed how news media made a difference. The advancement of news inclusiveness is one of the main drives of my passion for television news production, and I believe I can do so through media production companies' demonstrated commitment towards diversity. I consider broadcast journalism to be one of the most important tools for creating positive change in the world and establishing an informed global citizenry, and I believe that journalism plays a leading role in this process.

  1. What did this experience teach you about working in the U.S.? Was this your first time interning/working in the U.S.?

Chen: This wasn't my first time working in the U.S. I interned with Fox News Media last spring as a College Associate, and had several other internships at smaller companies before that. These experiences not only serve as a pipeline for full-time opportunities, but also help me explore different aspects in the industry, thus deciding which path I will focus on pursuing. Last but not least, I considered these internships to be "workplace 101," a lesson we didn't have exposure to without stepping out of the classroom. Coming from a foreign country, I made good use of my time working in U.S. to observe and adapt to the work culture I might encounter in the future.

Another student, Vaibhavi Hansrajani (ENG ’23), who is studying Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Machine Learning and Nanotechnology, interned with the Boston Medical Center (BMC). Hansrajani is originally from Mumbai, India.  

 

Q&A with Vaibhavi Hansrajani:

Vaibhavi Hansrajani pictured at her internship (2nd from left)

This interview with Hansrajani has been condensed and edited.

  1. Where did you intern this summer and what were your responsibilities?

Hansrajani: I was enrolled in the BU-KIDMEP Program, which stands for Boston University Kidney and Medical Engineering Program.This was a clinical immersion program that focused on technology development for kidney diseases. I worked closely with the care providers and patients in the hospitals to understand kidney disease from their perspectives. After a brief training period of observing interventional nephrology procedures, and visiting dialysis centers and medical device manufacturing sites, I was paired with a professor at Boston University to work on multiple projects like creating a real-time calculator that predicts a patient’s kidney function and modeling the working of an artificial kidney. 

  1. What did you learn or accomplish in your role at your internship? 

Hansrajani: I was finally able to get hands-on research experience to solve a crucial issue that would benefit the healthcare field. This experience also made me more comfortable in taking interviews and interacting with clients.   

  1. Did you find anything surprising or unexpected? Either about the culture or work that you did?

Hansrajani: I was very surprised by how all interns' opinions and ideas were taken into serious consideration. It was a learning platform where even the ideas I suggested as a university student to doctors and professors were not dismissed. Moreover, it was a great networking opportunity.

  1. How do you hope to apply your experience to your future career goals?

Hansrajani: As a rising senior, I have several doubts about what I would like to do after graduation and this internship helped me learn about all the opportunities students in my field engage in. I also learned how it is very important to be present at all times and be flexible to work in a new environment. As an engineer, I never saw myself taking rounds in a hospital but it was a rewarding experience for the research I am currently working on. It also made me more comfortable asking questions and knowing it’s alright to make mistakes. I certainly feel more prepared and excited for my full-time employment after graduation.

  1. What did this experience teach you about working in the U.S.? Was this your first time interning/working in the U.S.?

Hansrajani: This being my very first in-person internship in the United States, I was a little apprehensive about voicing my ideas and opinions. However, having worked with so many people of diverse cultures I am confident and know that I do not have to worry about being international and having a different opinion, this is rather appreciated. I also learned that there is always going to be competition and it is important to step out of one’s comfort zone and try your hand at new projects to stand out. Lastly, this experience also taught me about all the visa regulations and paperwork I need to be mindful of while working in the U.S, be it internships or getting a full-time job after graduation. The Center for Career Development collaborates with the ISSO each semester on a number of workshops and events to educate international students regarding this and was certainly my guide in knowing everything I should about working in the U.S.

Fall 2022 Student Reminders

August 17th, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Please review the information below for important reminders about maintaining status for new students and continuing F and J students. Please read our updated summaries of F-1 student and J-1 student regulations to learn more!

Update your addresses in the MyBU Student Portal

It is critical that you understand the different addresses on the MyBU Student Portal and keep each address updated correctly. Local address is used by the university to know your location while the Foreign-Immigration and the US-Immigration address are reported to the US Department of Homeland Security through SEVIS. Immigration regulations require that you update your address within 10 days of a move so you must keep your immigration-related addresses in the MyBU Student Portal up to date throughout the duration of your program.

  • Foreign-Immigration address: must reflect your address in your home country
  • US-Immigration address: must reflect your current US address (If you are living on campus, this address will automatically reflect your BU housing address)

Initial ISSO Check-in for new students

All international students beginning a new program and F-1 students returning to campus after a leave of absence will be required to complete Initial ISSO check-in remotely through MyBU Student Portal. You will be required to upload copies of your US immigration documents to notify us of your arrival in the US so we can activate your SEVIS record. You should only complete Initial ISSO check-in after you have entered the US. Students beginning a new program of study will receive separate email messages with additional details about Initial ISSO check-in.

SEVIS reporting for continuing students

Boston University is required to confirm your enrollment to the US Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at the start of each semester. The ISSO will rely on your academic registration data to automatically update your SEVIS record for fall. You do not need to take any additional steps provided you are academically registered.

Enrollment Requirements

Remember that you must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress in your degree each semester. For most students, full-time is a minimum of 12 credits. Some graduate student programs may have different full-time equivalents, but you must be certified as a full-time student to maintain valid student immigration status. Students are only allowed to take one online course each semester towards the 12 credit enrollment minimum so students seeking to enroll in an online course must enroll in at least 8 credits of in-person instruction.

If it is your last semester and you need less than 12 credits to graduate, you should enroll in at least one on-campus course and request authorization for a Reduced Course load from your ISSO advisor prior to the start of the semester.

On-Campus Employment

Immigration regulations allow international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus during the regular semester. If you have multiple jobs, you are still restricted to a maximum of 20 hours per week. The consequences of exceeding the 20 hour per week limit are severe so it is important you pay attention to your hours each week. You can read more about being hired to work on-campus on the ISSO website. If you have not worked on-campus before, you will need to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility form before you begin work. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for one after you secure a job.

Off-Campus Employment

Immigration regulations intentionally limit employment option off campus during the academic year so you can concentrate on your full time coursework. You can learn about eligibility requirements and the application process from the ISSO website. Consequences of beginning employment without authorization are severe so, it is critical that you obtain specific authorization BEFORE you begin any employment opportunity.

  • F-1 students may qualify for Curricular Practical Training from the ISSO for academic internship experiences specifically required by a program of study or a particular course. Alternatively, if you are interested in gaining work experience related to your major field of study during your program, you may need to apply for pre-completion OPT employment authorization in advance from USCIS for Optional Practical Training for jobs directly related to your field of study.
  • J-1 students may qualify for Academic Training authorization from the ISSO for experiences related to your program of study.

January Graduates

If you plan to graduate on January 13, 2023 and plan to apply for, please note that you will have a 60-day grace period after your program completion date of January 13, 2023 during which you must:

We wish you a successful fall semester. The ISSO is available in-person or virtually to support you. Attend one of our immigration workshops or visit our website to learn how to contact us, find your ISSO advisor, meet with our Advisor-On-Call or schedule an appointment. Given an increased volume of inquiries, it may take your advisor a few days to respond to inquiries and up to 10 business days to issue immigration documents and complete requests so please plan in advance.

Summer and Fall 2022 Workshops

July 6th, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Please find our virtual immigration workshop series below. Join us at one of our scheduled workshops to learn about maintaining status and employment benefits as an F-1 student and ask questions. In addition, do access one of our on-demand workshops available on our website about OPT or on-campus student employment.

Summer and Fall Workshop Series

Post Completion OPT Application Basics and Q&A

This workshop covers topics for students preparing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including eligibility factors and timing of application, considerations for travel and employment, and tips for preparing and submitting the OPT application. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

STEM OPT Basics and Q&A

This workshop is designed for students who have already applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and who may already be working on OPT. Covers advanced OPT topics including an overview of STEM OPT, allowing OPT extensions for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.  After this workshop, students should be prepared to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

Lunch Series Q&A for Students

We know you have questions! ISSO Advisors are here to help! Join ISSO for a brief overview of your F-1 immigration requirements, followed by a Q&A session specific to the needs of PhD students. Bring your immigration, employment and travel questions and get answers during your lunch break!

  • Q&A for Undergrad Students - Friday, October 7, 2022 at 12pm Register Here
  • Q&A for Graduate Students – Friday, October 14, 2022 at 12pm Register Here
  • Q&A for PhD Track Students – Friday, October 21, 2022 at 1pm Register Here

Employment Authorizations for Internships

It’s not too early to begin planning for a summer internship. This workshop covers F-1 student employment authorization options for off-campus work and internships including: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

 

On-Demand Workshops – access them anytime!

On-Campus Student Employment

This workshop covers tips for finding a job on campus, U.S. work permission, your rights and expectations as a U.S. worker, Social Security numbers, getting paid and taxes. It is now offered online in an on-demand format.  If you are interested in learning about how to work at BU, you can watch the video any time!

You're Hired! On Campus Employment for International Students - on demand workshop

OPT Application Basics

Want to know more about the OPT Application process? Check out the OPT Application Basics Workshop below. This video is a 25 minute overview intended to introduce you to basic concepts and terms.  You will learn more about what OPT is, when you should apply, and how to maintain your status while on OPT. We recommend that you watch this video when you are starting to think about OPT as it gives you a good overview of the entire process.

OPT Applications Basics – on demand workshop

COVID Test Eliminated for Entry to the US – WHO Approved COVID Vaccination Still Required

June 12th, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

The US Department of State announced that the Center for Disease Control lifted the requirement for proof of a negative COVID test to enter the US effective June 12, 2022. However, proof of vaccination for non-citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States remains in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19Vaccintation for Air Passengers on CDC’s website. Please see the CDC website for further information.

Please the the most recent ISSO travel advisory for reminders on the immigration documentation required to return to the US after international travel during summer break.

Reminders for F-1 Students Graduating in Summer

June 8th, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

As you near the end of your program, it is important for you to read the information below so you can understand your how program completion impacts your F-1 student status.

The end date on your I-20 is initially determined by the average length of your program but often changes during your final semester to reflect the date you will officially complete your program. Since the official BU summer graduation date has changed from September 25 to August 25, we will be adjusting I-20 end dates throughout the summer when you apply for OPT, when you apply to be part-time in your final summer semester, or, after your summer graduation is confirmed

If you have any questions or wish discuss any of these options, please feel free to connect with our virtual advisor-on-call or email our team at isso@bu.edu.

Spring 2022 Student Reminders

January 5th, 2022 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Please review the reminders below as they contain important reminders about maintaining status for new student and continuing F and J students. Boston University is required to confirm your enrollment to the Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at the start of each semester. Please be advised that we have changed how we will gather and report your enrollment during this time.

Returning to campus

If you are returning to campus from outside the US, please review our current travel advisory for the latest US entry requirements and the Back2BU website for COVID protocols as well as testing and vaccination requirements. Please see the latest memo from President Brown about plans to resume in-person instruction on campus for the spring semester on 1/20/2022.

Update your addresses in the StudentLink

It is critical that you understand the different addresses on the MyBU Student Portal and keep each address updated correctly. Local address is used by the university to know your location while the Foreign-Immigration and the US-immigration address are reported to the US Department of Homeland Security through SEVIS. Immigration regulations require that you update your address within 10 days of a move so you must keep your immigration-related addresses in the MyBU Student Portal up to date throughout the duration of your program.

  • Foreign-Immigration address: must reflect your address in your home country
  • US-Immigration address: must reflect your current US address
    • If you are living on campus, this address will automatically reflect your BU housing address.
    • If this is your first semester, you update this address after you enter the US

Initial Check-in ISSO for new students

All international students traveling to the US to begin a new program and F-1 students returning to campus after a leave of absence will be required to complete Initial ISSO check-in remotely through the StudentLink. You will be required to upload copies of your US immigration documents to notify us of your arrival in the US so we can activate your SEVIS record. You should only complete Initial ISSO check-in after you have entered the US. Students beginning a new program of study will receive a separate email message with additional details about Initial ISSO check-in.

SEVIS reporting for continuing Students

Continuing student check-in (previously referred to as Semester Verification) will not be required in Spring 2022 so you do not need to take any additional steps provided you are academically registered. Rather than asking students in check in in-person at the beginning of the semester, the ISSO will rely on your academic registration data to automatically update your SEVIS record for spring.

Enrollment Requirements

Remember that you must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress in your degree each academic semester. For most students, full-time is a minimum of 12 credits. Some graduate student programs may have different full-time equivalents, but you must be certified as a full-time student to maintain valid student immigration status. Students are only allowed to take one online course each semester towards the 12 credit enrollment minimum so students seeking to enroll in an online course must enroll in at least 8 credits of in person instruction.

If it is your last semester and you need less than 12 credits to graduate, you should request authorization for a Reduced Course load from your ISSO advisor prior to the start of the semester.

On-Campus Employment

Immigration regulations allow international students to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the regular semester. You can read more about being hired to work on-campus on the ISSO website. If you have not worked on-campus before, you will need to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility form before you begin work. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for one after you secure a job. Social Security Offices are currently closed to walk-in traffic due to COVID-19, but you can review details of how you can apply for an SSN on our COVID-19 FAQs page.

Off-Campus Employment

Immigration regulations intentionally limit employment option off campus during the academic year so you can concentrate on your full time coursework.

F-1 students may qualify for Curricular Practical Training from the ISSO for academic internship experiences. Alternatively, you may need to apply for employment authorization in advance from USCIS for Optional Practical Training for jobs directly related to your field of study.

J-1 students may qualify for Academic Training authorization from the ISSO for experiences related to your program of study.

You can learn about eligibility requirements and the application process from the ISSO website.Consequences of beginning employment without authorization are severe so, it is critical that you obtain specific authorization BEFORE you begin any employment opportunity.

May Graduates

If you plan to graduate in May 2022 and plan to apply for, please note that you will have a 60-day grace period after your program completion date of May 22, 2022 during which you must:

We wish you a successful spring semester. The ISSO is available in person or virtually to support you. You can visit our Menu of Virtual Services to learn how to contact us. You can also contact your ISSO advisor directly via email if you have specific questions. Given an increased volume of inquiries, it may take your advisor a few days to respond so we appreciate your patience!

Latest country specific COVID travel bans revoked. Vaccination & testing requirements remain.

December 28th, 2021 in Fall 2024 Workshops, Featured

On December 28, 2021, President Biden revoked nonimmigrant travel restrictions to the US through or from the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, and the Republic of Zimbabwe during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry effective at 12:01am. Proof of a negative COVID test within 24 hours from departure and proof of full COVID vaccination remains in place on all nonimmigrant entry to the US. See details at the CDC website.

On December 6, 2021, all travelers must show a negative COVID test taken no more than 1 day before departing for the US.  This new 1 day testing requirement replaces the previous requirement of 3 days and will be imposed regardless of vaccination status. More details are available on the following CDC website.

On November 26, 2021, President Biden signed a new Presidential Proclamation which bans nonimmigrant travel to the US through or from the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, and the Republic of Zimbabwe during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry effective at 12:01am November 29, 2021. These bans are in addition to the requirement that all nonimmigrant travelers be fully vaccinated against COVID with a WHO or US FDA acceptable vaccine and be able to document a negative COVID test before departure. A CBP Carrier Liaison Program bulletin clarified that National Interest Exceptions - NIEs - that were granted under previous proclamations are void or invalid with respect the Proclamation of November 26, 2021. This means F-1 students are not automatically exempt from these travel restrictions and will need to contact their nearest US Embassy to request  an individual NIE to travel to the US.

On October 25, 2021, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation which will replace the geographic COVID-related restrictions on travel to the US outlined below, with a requirement that all nonimmigrants be fully vaccinated beginning November 8, 2021 to enter the US. See relevant ISSO news blurb for more details.

On October 15, 2021, the White House announced a new travel policy that will require foreign nationals traveling to the US to demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 beginning November 8, 2021. All international travelers will need to show proof of full vaccination prior to boarding U.S.-bound planes. A COVID-19 test will also be required within three days of departure and proof of negative results must be shown. Enhanced contact tracing and masking will also be required, but there will be no quarantine mandate.

The CDC and other agencies are working to develop the orders and guidance documents to implement this new travel policy and the Department of State will provide further information on travel.state.gov as it becomes available.

The four COVID-19-related presidential proclamations outlined below will continue to limit entry to the United States until the proclamations are officially revoked or amended.

On July 7, 2021, the Secretary of State clarified that National Interest Exemptions (NIE) granted to specific individuals either in writing, or by notation on their nonimmigrant visa, will now be valid for 12 months from initial approval rather than 30 days.

On June 24, 2021, the Secretary of State updated the webpage that clarifies eligibility and application procedures for National Interest Exemptions (NIEs) from COVID travel restrictions.

On April 30, 2021, the Secretary of State added F-1 students travelling from India to the list of students eligible for a National Interest Exemption from COVID travel restrictions.

On April 26, 2021, the Secretary of State announced that F-1 students travelling to the US from Brazil, China, Iran and South Africa will automatically qualify for a uniform global National Interest Exception (NIE) to the COVID travel restrictions provided they have a valid F-1 visa and will enter the US on or after August 1, 2021.  These exceptions are in addition to the revised criteria for certain travelers seeking to provide vital support for critical infrastructure.  Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 visas visa will continue to be automatically considered for an NIE to travel and do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel

On March 2, 2021, the Secretary of State revised criteria for national interest exceptions (NIE) from these COVID-related travel restrictions for certain travelers seeking to provide vital support for critical infrastructure.  Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 visas visa will continue to be automatically considered for an NIE to travel and do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel. Other types of academics, J-1 students, and journalists who already have a valid visa in the appropriate class, or an ESTA authorization, should contact the nearest US Embassy to request individual consideration for a NIE.

All other nonimmigrant travelers who wish to visit the United States to offer vital support to critical infrastructure sectors, or for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security should contact the nearest US Embassy to request both a new visa and an individual NIE if they believe they qualify for an exception.

On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Non-Immigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease extending COVID-related restrictions on travel from all countries covered under previous Proclamations (mainland China, Iran, Brazil, 26 Schengen countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom) and restricted travel from South Africa  on January 30, 2021.

On July 22, 2020, the Department of State updated its website to clarify that F-1 nonimmigrants traveling from the 26 Schengen countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom would automatically qualify for a national interest exemption (NIE) from these travel restrictions. All other nonimmigrant travelers must request approval for an individual NIE from a US consular post on a case-by-case basis.

Please be advised that this situation is very fluid and travel bans due to the coronavirus may change at any time. Therefore, we urge you to carefully consider any plans to leave the U.S. during the Spring semester as country travel restrictions are changing daily. If you choose to travel, please refer to our Current Travel Advisory for details regarding documents required for re-entry to the US.

All nonimmigrant travel from mainland China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, India and Europe has been suspended for the 14 days preceding entry to the US since the COVID pandemic spread in 2020. More countries may be added to the list without advance warning. See country specific details below:

Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease suspends entry effective 12:01am on May 4, 2021 of aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants and other non U.S. citizens) who were physically present in India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry to the United States.

Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease suspends entry effective 12:01am on January 30, 2021 of aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants and other non U.S. citizens) who were physically present in South Africa during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry to the United States.

Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus suspends entry effective 11:59pm May 26, 2020 into the   U.S. of aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants and other non U.S. citizens) who were physically present in Brazil during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry to the United States.

Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus  suspends entry effective 11:59pm March 16, 2020 into the U.S. of aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants and other non U.S. citizens) who were physically present within the United Kingdom and Ireland during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry to the United States.

Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus suspends entry effective 11:59pm March 13, 2020 into the U.S. of all aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants and other non U.S. citizens) who were physically present within the following 26 Schengen Area countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. The 26 Schengen area countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The United Kingdom is not included at this time.

Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus suspends entry into the U.S. effective February 2, 2020 of all aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants, and other non U.S. citizens) who were physically present within the People's Republic of China, excluding the Special Autonomous Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.

Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus suspended entry into the U.S. effective March 2, 2020 of all aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants and other non U.S. citizens) who were physically present in Iran, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.

Proclamations clarify that the coronavirus travel bans do not apply to any U.S. citizens nor alien who is:

  1. a lawful permanent resident of the United States
  2. a spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  3. a parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21;
  4. a sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
  5. a child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
  6. an alien traveling at the invitation of the United States Government for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus;
  7. C (transit) or D (air or sea crewmember) nonimmigrants
  8. seeking entry into or transiting the United States pursuant to an A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3 (as a foreign government official or immediate family member of an official), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4, or NATO-6 visa;
  9. an alien whose entry would not pose a significant risk of introducing, transmitting, or spreading the virus, as determined by the CDC Director, or his designee;
  10. an alien whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee; or
  11. an alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees.

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