ISS continues to carefully monitor any changes to federal F-1 and J-1 regulations. Although there have been recent announcements in the media about student visas, there have been no official changes to F or J federal immigration policies. If there are any official changes to the federal regulations, ISS will post it to our Government Updates page. We will also notify any impacted students directly by email if there are any official changes.
Below are a few updates regarding recent F & J visa announcements in the news that ISS has received many questions about over the last few days.
Pause on Scheduling New F & J Visa Interviews
Recent news reports stated that the U.S. Department of State issued a temporary pause on adding new F and J visa interviews until the government issues new guidance to embassies/consulates on the expansion of social media screening and vetting of visa applicants. ISS staff have also seen these reports, and we continue to monitor the situation but there has been no official communication from the U.S. government. We do not know how long this pause will last but it is reported to be temporary. Current students requiring a new F or J visa to re-enter the U.S. should check with their local U.S. embassy or consulate for visa appointment availability before departing the U.S. since your return could be impacted. This pause should not impact anyone who already has a scheduled visa appointment or who has been approved for a visa interview waiver.
What to do?
- Students with a confirmed F or J visa interview appointment should plan to attend it. Contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate if you have questions about your appointment.
- Students traveling outside the U.S. and who require a new F or J visa but do not have an appointment scheduled should go to the local embassy or consulate’s website to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If no appointments are currently available, continue to check the site frequently for new appointment times to be added to their schedule. If you do not have to travel outside the U.S. right now, consider waiting until this visa appointments are available again. You are allowed to stay in the U.S. with an expired visa as long as you continue to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status and your SEVIS record stays Active. Review Planning for Summer which includes summer travel reminders as well as options to consider if you will stay in the U.S.
- Incoming, new students for an upcoming quarter with the Seattle campus should contact Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) if you have questions. Schedule your visa appointment as soon as you receive your immigration documents from Admissions or GEMS. If no appointments are available, continue to check the embassy or consulate’s web page frequently for new appointment times to be added to their schedule.
Visas for Students from China
The U.S. Department of State announced that it will work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” The statement also indicates they will revise criteria to enhance scrutiny of future visa applicants from People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.
The University and ISS are monitoring this situation and trying to gather more information. It is unknown at this time what criteria or legal justification will be used to revoke visas or what fields of study will be considered “critical.” No additional details have been released or published by the government. ISS will communicate directly with any potentially impacted students. If you receive an official communication from the U.S. embassy or consulate saying your visa has been cancelled or revoked and you must leave the U.S., please contact ISS immediately or Meet with an Advisor so we can provide you with additional guidance.
As the 2024-25 academic year comes to a close in a few weeks, I want to acknowledge that the last few months have been very challenging. I also want to recognize the amazing resilience, talent, commitment, curiosity, and innovation that our international students bring to UW and that I and the ISS staff feel privileged to work with you every day. Regardless of where you come from, each of you contributes to global learning, dialogue, research, and innovation on our campus. The entire UW community supports and values you, our international student community, and we are all privileged you chose UW and that you are here. Whether you are a current international student, alumni, or incoming new student, UW international students are an essential part of the Husky Community.