News
DOS Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for Nationals of 75 Countries
The US Department of State announced that they will pause immigrant visa processing effective January 21, 2026 for nationals from 75 countries citing concerns that some of these nationals could require financial or public charge assistance upon entering the US. It is important to understand that an immigrant visa approves... More
ISSO Scholar Communiqué – January 2026
Compliance Reminders for Administrative Contacts and Supervisors, Expanded Travel Ban and Enhanced Application Screening, H-1B Premium Processing Fee Increase Announced More
Spring 2026 Workshop Series
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
Spring 2026 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! ISSO continues to monitor news and updates to immigration policy from the federal administration. In the event of changes that impact... More
USCIS Announces Application Pause for Increased Vetting for Nationals of Travel Ban Countries
June 5 Update: Federal Court Ruling Mandates USCIS to Resume Processing Applications From Travel Ban Nationals Original post from Jan 9, 2026 In addition to a travel ban, USCIS announced a pause to the processing of applications submitted to USCIS for changes, extensions and benefits of status from nationals of travel ban countries... More
Final Rule on Weighted Selection of H-1B Cap-Subject Registrants
The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on December 29, 2025 entitled Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions which will become effective on February 27, 2026. The new weighted system based on salary levels will replace the current random selection process... More
B-1 Visa Bond Pilot Program Expanded
The Department of State (DOS) published a temporary final rule on August 5, 2025, that established a pilot program to test a $5K, $10K, or $15K bond system for select B‑1/B‑2 visitor visa applicants from countries with high overstay rates or other conditions. This list was recently expanded to new... More
US Entry Ban Expanded to Additional Countries
President Trump signed a new proclamation that updates and expands the current entry/travel ban effective from 12:01am on January 1, 2026 through December 16, 2026. This expanded ban will continue to suspend visa processing and entry to the US for international students and scholars/employees from the countries referenced below if... More
USCIS Will Stop Accepting Self-Submitted Photos
USCIS announced on December 12, 2025 that it has updated is policy on photographs and will no longer accept self-submitted photos and will limit when USCIS-taken photos may be reused in benefit requests. This means that applicants for USCIS benefits that require a photo will likely be scheduled to attend an... More
US Federal Agencies Expand Social Media Screening
USDOS announced consular posts will begin screening social media for all H-1 and H-4 visa applicants effective December 15, 2025 which will further delay visa appointment scheduling and visa processing. Social media screening has been in place for F-1, F-2, J-1 and J-1 visa applications since June of 2025 and... More