International Student and Scholar News and Updates

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Department of State announced effective January 21, 2026, immigrant visa processing will be paused for nationals from 75 countries:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

This pause applies to immigrant visas to enter the United States. F-1 and J-1 student and scholar visas are nonimmigrant visas and should not be impacted by this announcement. The list of impacted countries does overlap with other restrictions on entry, for further details please see the update Restrictions on Entry to the United States for more information.

On January 1, 2026, USCIS issued new policy guidance (PDF), to delay final approval or adjudication of immigration benefits for nationals from or individuals born in countries covered by the December 16, 2025, Presidential Proclamation: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States. Included in this policy guidance, USCIS also stated it would conduct a comprehensive review of “all policies, procedures, and screening and vetting processes for benefit requests” for individuals from affected countries as well as a “re-review” of benefit requests that were approved on or after January 20, 2021.

Petitions and applications for immigration benefits and status changes can still be filed. Decisions on existing and new requests (such as H-1B petitions or F-1 OPT applications) for citizens of and individuals born in the impacted countries may be delayed. This may lead to gaps in employment authorization. If you believe this will impact you, please contact ISSS at isss@niu.edu or 815-753-1346 to discuss your specific situation.

If you have a previous request that would fall within the “re-review” period, your current immigration status and employment authorization will not be immediately impacted. If you are a citizen of, or were born in, one of the affected countries and are contacted by USCIS about a previously approved petition please contact ISSS immediately.

Added: 12/18/2025

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025 the President signed a Proclamation that has expanded and changed entry restrictions for certain foreign nationals.

Countries with a full ban on entry to the United States now include:

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso (new)
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos (formerly partial ban)
• Libya
• Mali (new)
• Niger (new)
• Sierra Leone (formerly partial ban)
• Somalia
• South Sudan (new)
• Sudan
• Syria (new)
• Yemen
• Nationals with Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents (new)

Countries with a partial ban on entry to the United States now include:

• Angola (new)
• Antigua and Barbuda (new)
• Benin (new
• Burundi
• Cote d’Ivoire (new)
• Cuba
• Dominica (new)
• Gabon (new)
• The Gambia (new)
• Malawi (new)
• Mauritania (new)
• Nigeria (new)
• Senegal (new)
• Tanzania (new)
• Togo
• Tonga (new)
• Venezuela
• Zimbabwe (new)

According to the fact sheet released by the White House, the Proclamation includes exceptions for:

• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents who hold citizenship in one of the above-listed countries
• Existing visa holders or individuals who already hold status in the U.S.

The partial ban does apply to F-1 and J-1 Student Visas along with B-1/B-2 Visitor Visas. Valid Forms I-20 or DS-2019 will not override the travel ban and will not allow students to enter the U.S. if they are from a one of the full or partial travel ban countries unless they have a valid visa issued prior to January 1, 2026.

Individuals from affected countries should exercise extreme caution prior to travel.

Added: 11/12/2025

To date there have been three major changes to the rules regarding visa issuance.

• Nonimmigrant visa applicants can apply for their visas in their country of citizenship or residence. This applies to individuals applying for F, J, and H statuses (among others). If you are a national of a country where the U.S. Government does not conduct routine visa operations, the Department of State (DOS) has designated an embassy or consulate for your use.
• Interview waiver eligibility criteria have been restricted. All nonimmigrant visa applicants will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer. If you had previously been eligible for an interview waiver, you will need to plan accordingly if you are required to apply for a new visa for reentry to the U.S.
• Visa applicants are now subject to expanded social media screening. The Department of State made this announcement over the summer.
• In practice, after your interview you will likely be initially refused under INA 221(g) – "Inform the applicant that their case is refused and requires additional administrative processing to establish eligibility for the visa"
• Your case will then be referred for the additional screening which may take an additional one to two weeks. The additional screening could include checking for:
  • Evidence of any illegal activity
  • Evidence of previous status violations (ex: unauthorized employment)
  • Evidence of support for foreign terrorist organizations
  • Expressions of "hostile attitudes towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States"
  • Inconsistencies; for example LinkedIn or other profiles that do not match the details provided on the DS-160.

As long as the screening does not raise any concerns for the officer, the visa should be approved and the applicant will be able to collect their passport and visa.

Reminder: A request for a visa is a personal request an applicant makes to the Department of State. NIU and ISSS can support by providing required documents to the visa applicant and a general overview of the steps and expectations.

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to discuss options after a visa denial, please contact ISSS staff.

Added: 11/12/2025

On Thursday, August 28, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to end "duration of status" (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants. Being admitted to the United States for "duration of status" (D/S) is what allows students and scholars in F or J immigration status to remain in the U.S. as long as the program dates on their I-20 or DS-2019 remain current/valid. The proposed rule change would impose a fixed admission period for those individuals in F and J status and would require an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend the period of stay.

It is important to note that this is a proposed rule that was open for public comment. ISSS coordinated with Federal Relations and other Campus Leadership to write extensive comments on the proposal. NIU submitted an institutional comment before the comment period closed.

As a part of this rulemaking process, DHS will review the comments prior to issuing a final rule. The rule may be revised from its proposed form, or it is possible that the proposed rule could be withdrawn. ISSS continues to monitor the rulemaking process. Once a final rule is published, we will take time to thoroughly review it and provide information to impacted students and scholars and work with NIU Departments and leadership so that appropriate actions and support are taken and provided.

Added: 11/4/2025

On October 29, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an interim final rule, ending automatic extensions to employment authorization for individuals in certain employment categories who have submitted renewal applications for their Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) with USCIS. This is almost immediately effective for any renewal applications submitted on or after October 30, 2025.

It does not appear to impact individuals in F-1 status applying for STEM OPT Extensions. This rule is reversing a change that was implemented earlier this year that did not apply to F-1 students applying for STEM OPT. USCIS website, under the F-1 Foreign Students section, maintains that individuals who timely file a STEM OPT Extension application remain eligible for the 180-day extension to work authorization while their request is processed.

Affected EAD categories include:

• A17:  Spouses of Treaty Trader (E-1), Treaty Investor (E-2) or Australian Specialty Worker (E-3)
• A18: Spouses of Intracompany Transferees (L-2)
• C26: Spouses of Specialty Occupation Workers (H-4)
• C09: Applicants for adjustment of status
• A07: Parents or dependent children of aliens granted permanent residence under INA §101(a)(27)(I) or parents, spouse or children of certain NATO employees (N-8 or N-9)
• A12 or C19: Applicants for Temporary Protected Status or persons granted TPS who hold an EAD in the A12 or C19 categories
• C20 or C22 or C24: Applicants for legalization
• A03: Refugees
• A05: Asylees
• A10: Persons granted withholding of deportation or removal
• C08: Applicants for asylum and withholding of deportation or removal
• C10: Applicants for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal or special rule cancellation of removal
• A08: Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau
• C16: Applicants for creation of record of lawful admission for permanent residence
• C31: Noncitizens authorized to work under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

We will continue to monitor for further guidance on any further impacts to the NIU community.

On September 19, 2025, the Trump administration issued a Presidential Proclamation titled "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers," affecting individuals in H-1B status. This proclamation took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time September 21, 2025.

The proclamation, among other things:

• Imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions
• States the restriction will be in place for 12 months and may be extended
• Requires the Department of Labor to issue rulemaking to revise the prevailing wage levels
• Requires the Department of Homeland Security to issue rulemaking to prioritize the admission of highly skilled and high-paid workers in the H-1B program
• Requires the Department of State to issue guidance to prevent the misuse of B visitor visas to circumvent the proclamation

On September 20, 2025, the White House issued a statement to clarify the impact and scope of the Presidential Proclamation. Separately, Citizenship and Immigration Services and Customs and Border Protection issued memoranda to address the impact of the proclamation. On September 21, 2025, Department of State issued their own guidance with regards to visa issuance at consulates and embassies abroad.

While the statement and memos leave many questions unanswered, there are a few items that are consistent, including:

• The proclamation only applies to future H-1B petitions, it is not retroactive.
• The proclamation does not affect current H-1B visa holders who already have approved petitions. These individuals will be able to extend or amend their H-1B status.
• Individuals with current H-1B status may continue to use their H-1B visa to enter the U.S. after travel abroad.

Many important details about the exact impact of the proclamation are not yet clear. Further clarification is needed on some issues, including:

• How the proclamation applies to new cap-exempt H-1B petitions, i.e., H-1B petitions filed by institutions of higher education like NIU
• Whether the $100,000 fee is a one-time fee or if it must be paid with each petition

Several organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have filed lawsuits against this fee change. We hope further guidance from relevant agencies will be forthcoming. We will continue to monitor developments and will update this announcement as needed. We remain committed to supporting NIU's international students, scholars and employees.