Reminders to Reflect Binary Sex Marker on US Federal Applications and Forms
Various US federal systems and forms continue to be updated by agencies in accordance with the January 20, 2025, Executive Order Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government. This EO mandates that federal departments recognize gender strictly as a male-female binary determined by biological... More
DHS Seeks to Replace D/S with a Fixed Expiration Date
Update: USCIS received more than 34,800 public comments to this proposed rule in advance of the deadline of September 29, 2025. Please see the official comment letter from Boston University signed by both President Giliam and Provost Waters in opposition to the proposed rule changes. Several university offices will continue... More
DHS Seeks to Change Cap Subject Lottery System to Favor Higher Paid Employees
USDHS published a proposed rule entitled Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions on September 24, 2025 that aims to tighten eligibility, increase oversight of employers, and limit third-party placements. The proposed rule seeks to change the H-1B lottery for cap subject employers to favor... More
Presidential Proclamation Regarding H-1 Fees and Travel
See updated news on this topic. The President of the United States issued a Proclamation Restriction On Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers restricting the entry of H-1 nonimmigrants effective Sunday, September 21, 2025, unless they demonstrate proof of a new $100,000 fee payment. White House FAQs and clarifying guidance from USCIS indicate... More
Visa Applicants Must Apply in Country of Citizenship or Residence
The US Department of State (USDOS) announced on September 6, 2025 that effective immediately, US visa applicants should apply at a consular post in their country of citizenship or country of residence or face increased denials if they apply in a third country. New guidance states that visa applicants for... More
Fall 2025 Student Reminders
Please review the information below for important reminders regarding 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! Entering the US this Fall Whether you are a new student arriving to the US for the first time or are a... More
Fall 2025 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 or J-1 student and get your questions answered by ISSO staff. In addition, you are welcome to access one of our on-demand workshops available on... More
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
See more recent news for updated information on topic. 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... 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
