USDOS Will Require Interview for Most Nonimmigrant Visa Renewals
The US Department of State announced limitations to the criteria for a waiver of the in-person visa appointment when applying to renew a visa. Effective September 2, 2025, nearly all visa applicants will be required to schedule an interview as part of the visa renewal process. All nonimmigrant visa applicants, More
DOS Resumes Scheduling Visa Interviews
According to media reports, the Department of State (DOS) resumed scheduling visa interview appointments on June 18th after a 3 week pause. During this time, DOS disseminated instructions to consular posts about how to review the social media presence of the visa applicant along with standard eligibility criteria when adjudicating... More
Possible Expansion of the Travel (US Entry) Ban
Several news outlets are reporting that an internal Department of State (DOS) memo issued to consular posts indicated that 36 more countries will be given 60 days to meet the administration's benchmarks and requirements or face either a partial or full entry ban similar to the ban on 19 countries... More
US Entry Banned for Nationals of Certain Countries
President Trump announced a ban on entry to the US of foreign nationals from certain countries in certain nonimmigrant categories who are outside the US effective at 12:01 am EST June 9, 2025, who do not have a valid US visa. See the Proclamation and a White House Fact Sheet... More
US DOS Announces Additional Vetting of Visas for Chinese Students
The US Department of State (DOS) has issued a press release stating they may work with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke visas for some Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in critical fields. DOS states they intend to revise visa... More
Visa Appointments Paused So DOS Can Screen Social Media
See updated news on this topic. Several media outlets are reporting that the US Department of State (DOS) has paused scheduling new visa interview appointments temporarily at consular posts to establish a new protocol to screen social media as part of the visa application review. Outlets are citing an interagency cable... More
SEVP Warns Graduates on OPT About Exceeding Unemployment Limits
A few recent BU graduates on post-completion OPT have reported receiving letters from the Department of Homeland Security about failing to report their employment information and exceeding allowable F-1 regulatory unemployment timeframes. The letters, sent directly to some graduates via email from SEVP (Student Exchange Visitor Program), asserted that the... More
All SEVIS Records Restored to Active
Over the past few weeks, the ISSO team has been supporting international students and recent graduates with terminated SEVIS records and have connected impacted individuals with: designated BU school contacts for academic assistance, campus resources for wellness support, immigration attorneys for legal consultations, and/or information regarding low bono or pro... More
Reports of Visa Revocations & SEVIS Record Terminations
See updated news on this topic. Many of you are seeing the news about student visa revocations and high-profile student detentions around the US. Historically, the US Department of State would only revoke a student visa if a student were arrested or convicted of a crime in the United States. However, More
International Travel Risk Information Session
Virtual Information Session International Travel Risks on Wednesday, March 26, 3 pm The session featured Elizabeth Goss, CEO and founding immigration attorney of Goss Associates, Stephen Kerr, Associate General Counsel in the BU Office of General Counsel and Jeanne Kelley, Managing Director of the BU ISSO, and covered the following topics: discussion... More
Welcome, New Students!
Riho Imada (from left) and Akari Noguchi, both students at the Center for English Language and Orientation Programs, and Andrew Burwash (CAS'18) at the International Student Reception, held September 4 at the Trustee Ballroom. Photo by Jackie Riccardi
