International Student Support

Two recent court rulings vacated the USCIS adjudication hold and $100,000 H-1B fee, and these policies should no longer be in effect.

Hold and Review of Asylum and Benefit Requests for Nationals of Travel Restriction Countries: A federal district court in Rhode Island vacated the USCIS hold on all asylum applications, and benefit requests submitted by applicants who were born in or citizens of the travel restriction countries. USCIS should no longer suspend adjudication of asylum applications and benefit requests submitted by applicants from travel restriction countries, as well as review past approvals. Students who have been impacted by these policies should monitor their USCIS account and case status for any updates on their cases, or consult their ISSS advisor or immigration attorney. For additional information and analysis on this court order, please visit Fragomen’s website.

$100,000 H-1B Fee: A federal district court in Massachusetts vacated the $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions in its entirety, and USCIS should not require the $100,000 fee for the approval of any H-1B petition at this time. Students who are filing for H-1B should stay in close contact with their employer and immigration attorney regarding developments and the impact of this court decision. For additional information and analysis on this court order, please visit Fragomen’s website.

Please note the government may appeal these decisions. If they are successful in doing so, these policies could be reinstated. ISSS is monitoring developments, and will provide updates as needed.
 

Effective May 18, the U.S. government has temporarily paused all visa services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and restricted entry of certain individuals for public health and safety reasons. No visa appointments can be scheduled and existing appointments will be rescheduled after the pause is lifted. Non-U.S. passport holders who have been to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan in the previous 21 days are also restricted from entering the United States. The travel restriction is in effect for 30 days, and it can be adjusted or extended as the situation evolves. International students who are travelling to these countries or renewing their visa should consider the risk of not being able to re-enter the U.S. should these measures be extended.

Update on June 22, 2026: An order extending these travel restrictions for another 30 days was issued on June 21, 2026. Visa services appear to still be on pause. 

Part of our Immigration Insights sessions, ISSS offered an online session on April 14 to talk about recent and potential immigration changes covered in our March email. Topics discussed were the proposed changes to eliminate "duration of status" and limit program changes, as well as travel considerations and USCIS updates on the processing hold and biometrics/photo appointment notices. The session was not recorded, and the slides are available for review.

Last September, the Department of Homeland Security proposed changes to the period of admission for international students on F and J visas, as well as restrictions to program modifications and transfers. Although this rule is not finalized, it is important to know what these potential changes are and how you can prepare for them. 

WHEN WILL THIS NEW RULE GO INTO EFFECT?

This rule is still in draft status and the final rule will be effective 60 days after it is published. We do not know when this will be, but it can be published any time in the future. For example, if it is published this month, then it will be effective in May 2026.  

PROPOSED CHANGES:

• Fixed-date admission to the United States: Instead of being admitted for "duration of status", F and J visa holders will be given a fixed period of stay in the U.S. The proposed rule links the period of stay to a student's I-20 or DS-2019 program end date, not to exceed 4 years, plus a 30-day grace period.
• Formal I-539 extension stay process with USCIS: F and J student visa holders who need time beyond their period of admission for a program extension, school transfer, change in educational level, practical training, or academic training would have to file a Form I-539 Extension of Stay application. This application is filed with USCUS and includes a filing fee to extend the student's period of stay in the U.S. 
• Reduction of the F-1 grace period: The proposed rule shortens the F-1 grace period to 30 days.
• Restrictions on transfers and changing programs for F-1 student visa holders: Undergraduate students will no longer be able to transfer schools or academic programs within the first year of study, unless SEVP grants an exception for extenuating circumstances. Graduate students will not be able to change academic programs or transfer to a different school in the U.S.
• Prohibition of lateral or reverse matriculation for F-1 student visa holders: Students will not be able to pursue a second degree at the same or lower educational level as their first degree. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR THESE EXPECTED IMMIGRATION CHANGES?

1. Check and save your I-94 Arrival Record: You should review and save your I-94 now and each time after entering the U.S. by visiting the CBP website.  Your class of admission should indicate the visa category you entered on "F-1" or "J-1" and your admit until date should state "D/S". When the new rule goes into effect, the "D/S" will be replaced with a date that should match the end date on your I-20/DS-2019. If the class admission or duration is incorrect, you should contact ISSS for further guidance. 
2. Check your I-20 or DS-2019 end date and apply for a program extension now, if needed: To avoid filing additional paperwork and feed once the final rule is in effect, apply for your program extension by submitting a request via MyISSS. TO be eligible for a program extension, you need to have a compelling academic or medical reason for the delay in your studies. 
3. If you are applying for post-completion OPT, STEM OPT, Academic Training, apply as early as possible. If you are completing your degree this Spring, you can apply for OPT or Academic Training via MyISSS now. You can apply for OPT as early as 90 days before your program end date. USCIS processing times can be unpredictable and there may be delays. Even though the government proposes a six month transition period for those applying for practical or academic training, it is still best to apply as early as possible. USCIS also has a temporary processing hold on applicants who have a travel restriction country listed as their country of birth or country of nationality, so expect additional delays. We do not know when this hold will be lifted. 

Your success and well-being remain our highest priorities, which is why we're sharing this information to ensure you're informed and prepared for ay potential changes. We understand that potential changes to immigration policies can create confusion and concern. Please know that ISSS is closely monitoring developments and are here to offer guidance. Once the final rule is published, ISSS will assess the final rule and issue additional guidance. In the meantime, please reach out to your ISSS advisor if you have any questions about your individual situation. 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new memo on January 1, 2026 to expand and clarify their policies on foreign nationals from countries with travel restrictions. The January memo expands, and does not replace the December memo. This memo directs USCIS officers to:

• Place a hold on all pending benefit applications, for foreign nationals listed in Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10998, pending a comprehensive review, regardless of entry date
• Conduct a comprehensive review of all policies, procedures, and screening and vetting processes for benefit requests for aliens from countries listed in PP 10998; and
• Conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests implicated in PP 10998 that were approved on or after January 20, 2021.

USCIS may allow pending applications to be processed up to final adjudication i.e., approval, denial, or dismissal. The memo does not state I-765 work authorization and I-539 Change of Status applications submitted by nonimmigrants are excluded from the processing hold, so this hold could impact students’ work authorization and Change of Status requests with USCIS. A re-review of benefit requests that were approved on or after January 20, 2021 will also be conducted. 

If your country of birth or citizenship is listed in the Presidential Proclamation and you have a pending application with USCIS, it is possible that USCIS will request for more information or delay the adjudication of your application. The hold appears to be temporary and can be lifted or modified by the USCIS Director. The timeline is unclear but USCIS will issue operational guidance within 90 days. Litigation on this new policy is also expected. If litigation is successful, a lift or modification of the policy is possible. If you are concerned about the impact of these delays, you can reach out to your ISSS advisor. Consulting with an immigration attorney may be advised and ISSS can provide a list upon request.

If your country of birth or citizenship is listed in the Presidential Proclamation and your application with USCIS was approved on or after January 20, 2021, it is possible that you may receive requests for additional interviews or documentation. 

There are very limited exceptions to this new policy and they are listed on the memo. For additional information, you may also review Fragomen's analysis of this new policy. ISSS will continue to monitor and share updates about this policy. 
 

The Department of Homeland Security published the final rule on the new selection process for H-1B cap-subject registrants, which will be effective on February 27, 2026. Beneficiaries will be entered into the selection pool in a weighted manner depending on the wage offered by their prospective employer. There are four wage levels based on the Department of Labor's Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and beneficiaries will be entered into the selection pool based on their wage level e.g., those assigned a Level 4 will be entered into the pool four times, and so on. Therefore, individuals with higher wage levels will have a higher chance of being selected. 

The new selection process does not apply to H-1B petitions that are exempt from the cap. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to publish instructions on this new registration process. In the meantime, students seeking H-1B sponsorship from a cap-subject employer should work directly with the employer or immigration attorney to discuss the impact of this new selection process.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced two changes that could impact our students who have a pending application or are going to submit an application with USCIS.

Hold and Review of Asylum and Benefit Requests for Nationals of Travel Ban Countries: Effective December 2, USCIS has placed a hold on processing all asylum applications and all pending benefit requests for applicants from the countries listed in the Presidential Proclamation on travel restrictions, pending a comprehensive review. A re-review of approved benefits for applicants from countries listed in the Presidential Proclamation will also be conducted. 

It is possible that USCIS applications such as I-765 OPT/STEM OPT or I-539 Change of Status applications will be impacted. Students who have the countries listed in the Presidential Proclamation from June and December as their country of birth or country of citizenship may see processing delays by USCIS. If you have questions about the impact of these delays, please contact your ISSS advisor or immigration attorney.

Update on January 5, 2026: USCIS issued a memo on January 1, 2026 stating that the additional countries impacted by the Presidential Proclamation in December are also subject to the processing hold and re-review.

New Photo Policy: Effective December 12, USCIS will only reuse photos associated with immigration benefit requests for up to three years. Additionally, self-submitted photos are no longer accepted. Only photos taken by USCIS and authorized entities will be used.

The announcement does not explicitly state whether students submitting an I-765 application for OPT/STEM OPT will be required to have their photo taken by USCIS. Until more clarification is received, students should continue submitting passport-style photos with their I-765 application, and be aware of the possibility of receiving a biometrics notice to attend an appointment at an Application Support Center. If students receive a biometrics notice, it will be available in their myUSCIS online account and a physical notice will be mailed to them. Failure to attend a biometrics appointment can lead to processing delays or a denial, so students should check their USCIS account and mailbox often. 

ISSS is staying informed to provide timely and accurate information to students and campus partners. In addition to official government websites, ISSS relies on analyses and advice from trusted organizations in our field:

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators
• President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration
• Fragomen Immigration Law Firm and other law firms that specialize in immigration
• US Coalition for Success
   

Please carry a printout of your I-20/DS-2019 and your I-94 arrival record as proof of registration. If you are on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT, you may carry your I-766 EAD in addition to your I-20 and I-94 as proof of registration. The law requires non-US citizens who are 18 years of age or older to carry evidence of being registered in the US immigration system at all times. Not having it with you can result in a fine or other legal consequences.

F and J students who are from the following countries and do not have a valid visa are currently restricted from entering the U.S.:

• Afghanistan
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen
• Burkina Faso
• Laos
• Mali
• Niger
• Sierra Leone
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Burundi
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tonga
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Those traveling on documents issued by Palestinian Authorities.

What are the travel recommendations for students from listed countries?

• If you are from a country listed above and don’t have a valid F or J visa, you will not be able to enter the U.S.
• If you are from a country listed above and have a valid F or J visa, it is possible for you to reenter the U.S. However, you could still face additional scrutiny at the border.
• If you have dual nationality and are travelling with a passport from a country that does not have travel restrictions, you are not subject to the travel ban.

For more information about these restrictions, please refer to this analysis by Fragomen law firm.

We recognize the challenges of navigating these requirements. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office or your ISSS advisor if you have any questions. If you are a current student, we also encourage you to utilize other campus resources, including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA) and the Office of the Dean of Students, for support.

Given the evolving policy changes by the federal government and the increased vetting for travelers entering the US, we encourage all students to take precautions and assess their international travel before making any travel plans. Please read the considerations below so that you can make informed decisions about your travel.

What Steps Should I Take? All students should take the following steps before and after traveling: 

• Follow F-1 address reporting requirements. Ensure you are reporting any changes to your address via MyISSS within ten days of the change. Students on OPT and STEM OPT will need to report changes to your address on the SEVP portal within ten days of the change. 
• Ensure you are carrying valid travel documents before reentering the US. Visit our travel and reentry webpage for the list of documents. If you are on OPT or STEM OPT, please submit an I-20 reprint via MyISSS if you are traveling internationally and your OPT or STEM OPT request status or employment information needs to be updated on your I-20.
• If you are applying for a new visa, prepare for potential processing delays or denials at consulates abroad.  Student visa applicants have to attend a visa interview and students who need to apply for a new visa should check their consulate’s visa appointment availability before traveling. Although you have been issued a visa before, the consulate officer will evaluate if you are still eligible for a nonimmigrant F-1 or J-1 visa. Visa denials for returning students are rare, but there are cases where returning students are denied a visa due to changes in their country’s conditions and/or personal and financial circumstances. Students who are applying for a new visa should review our Visa Information webpage for more information about the visa application process.
• If you are applying for a new visa, prepare for enhanced screening at consulates abroad. The visa screening policy requires each visa officer to review each applicant's online presence, including social media activity, internet search engines, and any databases to which the consular section has access. Consulate officers are expected to look for any evidence that shows an applicant may be likely to violate US laws, advocate for terrorist organizations, engage in political activism that is associated with violence and will undermine scholarly activity, or shows “hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States”. In order to conduct this search, the State Department requires student visa applicants to set their social media profiles to “public”. Students who are applying for a new visa will be placed under "administrative processing" or receive a temporary denial until their social media has been reviewed by the consulate officer.
• Be prepared for enhanced screening and the possibility of a search of your electronic devices at the port of entry. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices at US borders to determine if a traveller has been in violation of their visa status or is inadmissible to the US. Travelers may be deemed inadmissible if they have worked without authorization, have had criminal charges, or are determined to pose “a threat to national security.” You may be refused entry if you do not comply with a CBP search. We strongly recommend students to remain polite and patient throughout the screening process. If you believe you were treated unfairly by CBP, please contact ISSS. 
• Save the ISSS and USF Public Safety phone numbers on your phone. The ISSS number is (415) 422-2654, and the USF Public Safety number is (415) 422-4201. Save these numbers in your phone in case you need to contact us when entering the U.S or otherwise. If you have an immigration attorney you should save their phone number on your phone as well.
• Retrieve and check your I-94 after international travel. Ensure your I-94 Class of Admission states “F-1” and the Admit Until Date states “D/S”. It can take up to 10 days for your electronic I-94 to display after entry. If there are any discrepancies, please contact ISSS for next steps.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

Students in the following situations are at a greater risk of visa and entry delays or denials and should seek additional advice before traveling: 

• Prior Arrest, Detainment by Law Enforcement or Visa Revocation: There have been instances where non-U.S. Citizens with prior criminal charges have been deemed inadmissible at the port of entry and/or had their visas revoked. If you had your student visa revoked, the consulate typically sends an email to the email address that you had listed on your DS-160 form. You may also check your visa status on the Department of State's website. Students in this situation should consult an immigration attorney about the risks of international travel, and what documents you should show to demonstrate that you are admissible to the US. ISSS can provide a list of immigration attorneys upon request.
• Failure to maintain F-1 status: Students who have engaged in employment without authorization, dropped below full-time without ISSS authorization, or exceeded their unemployment limit on OPT and STEM OPT are not considered in F-1 status, and will likely be denied entry to the US.
• Citizens of Countries with Travel Restrictions: The U.S. government has implemented travel and visa restrictions on certain countries. Please refer to our announcements on  June 5 and December 17 for the full list of countries. This list may change and countries could be added or removed in the future. Students whose countries have potential travel restrictions are advised to consider the risk of being unable to reenter the US should additional country-specific travel restrictions are implemented in the future.
• Pending I-765 Application with USCIS: Students who have a pending I-765 application with USCIS may want to consider remaining in the U.S.. Students should be receiving an appointment notice to appear at a USCIS application center to have fingerprints or photos taken. A physical notice should be sent to the address listed in the I-765 form and an electronic notice should be uploaded to the USCIS account. Students should check the documents in their USCIS account and physical mailbox regularly as missing this appointment could lead to your application being denied. It is easier to handle complications with USCIS applications within the U.S.

Please note the proposed rule to eliminate Duration of Status still has not been finalized and published. Once finalized, the rule will take into effect 60 days from the publication date. ISSS is continuing to follow immigration updates closely, and we will communicate updates with students on this webpage.

International students who are not subject to the travel restrictions are still able to travel within and outside of the U.S. and renew their visas. However, students should be prepared for enhanced screening and potential delays when applying for visas and re-entering the US. If you are traveling and will need to apply for a new visa to reenter the U.S., please consider the timing and how possible delays may impact you. You can view the documents needed for travel and those needed for a visa on our webpages. If you are renewing your visa and have questions about your international travel plans, please contact your ISSS advisor.

Students who are applying for a new visa should also be aware of the new visa screening policy, which requires each visa officer to review each applicant's online presence, including social media activity, internet search engines, and any databases to which the consular section has access. Consulate officers are expected to look for any evidence that shows an applicant may be likely to violate US laws, advocate for terrorist organizations, engage in political activism that is associated with violence and will undermine scholarly activity, or shows “hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States”. In order to conduct this search, the State Department requires student visa applicants to set their social media profiles to “public”.

In light of the US government's efforts to enhance national security, government agencies are screening social media content of foreign nationals when adjudicating immigration applications. This includes visa applications, entry into the US, and immigration benefit applications such as employment authorization and applying for permanent residency. The government may deny applications based on content they deem a potential threat to national security or damaging to US foreign policy. Students should be mindful of their online presence.

On June 18, the State Department announced their expanded social media vetting process and student visa applicants are required to adjust their social media profiles to “public” to facilitate this process. The new visa screening policy requires each visa officer to review each applicant's online presence, including social media activity, internet search engines, and any databases to which the consular section has access. Consulate officers are expected to look for any evidence that shows an applicant may be likely to violate US laws, advocate for terrorist organizations, engage in political activism that is associated with violence and will undermine scholarly activity, or shows “hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States”. 

Students should also exercise caution if attending demonstrations and protests. While most demonstrations are peaceful, a few have the potential to turn violent. We recommend students avoid demonstrations where conflict may be present and abide by school rules and U.S. laws. If you plan to attend a demonstration on- or off-campus, please make sure you follow the school’s demonstration policy and demonstration tips. Encounters with law enforcement or disciplinary actions can impact your enrollment and F-1 status. 

In the event that you encounter law enforcement, immigration agents, and other officials, you should be aware of what is, and is not, required of you to reduce risk to yourself. The ACLU and President's Alliance have helpful resources on your rights during different encounters with law enforcement. Save the ISSS (+14154222654) and Public Safety (+14154224222) phone numbers in your phone and notify us if you are contacted by law enforcement. There are scams related to law enforcement and we can assist you in identifying and responding to legitimate communications.

Even though our international students have not had any encounters with law enforcement on-campus, we encourage students to be aware of and familiar with USF’s protocol. You must be logged in to access this page.

• NAFSA: Executive and Regulatory Actions Under the Second Trump Administration
• The American Immigration Council: Immigration Impact
• NAFSA: Practical Immigration Concepts in a Time of Change
• President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration
• International Student Resource Center

• https://www.immigrationlawhelp.org/
• National Immigration Law Center 
• Informed Immigrant
• American Immigration Lawyer Association 

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• University Ministry
• Division of Student Life
• Intercultural Center
• Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good
• Public Safety - Expression and Demonstration Tips
• Gleeson Library - Fake News and Fact Checking Resource