To ensure that you are able to resume classes in the spring, we strongly recommend the following:

1. If you are currently in the United States, do not travel outside of the country.  This includes travel to Mexico and Canada.
2. If you are currently outside of the United States, we recommend that you return before Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

We understand that this is unsettling news. Given the challenges of the current situation, we would like to remind you of the resources that are available to you. Additionally, if you are interested, the ISO is happy to arrange for a Zoom chat to better understand how we can support you during this time. Whether it is connecting with other students and scholars from the impacted countries for shared support, or simply just to listen, the ISO is happy to help. If this is something that would be of interest, please feel free to contact Anastasia Tahou atahou@ur.rochester.edu. Additionally, we will keep The Federal Policy Changes on our website updated as information becomes available.

As members of the international community, you are essential to the richness of our academic and cultural community. Your presence, ideas, and perspectives help shape a more inclusive and globally aware campus for everyone.

Kindest regards,

Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, Ph.D
Vice Provost, Global Engagement
Professor, Warner School of Education

Wendy L. Fritz, Ed.D
Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Support and Engagement and Interim Director
International Services Office | Office of Global Engagement

The post Guidance: Travel Ban Countries appeared first on International Services Office.

As you are aware, on Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump signed the Proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (“the Proclamation”). The Proclamation sets out to restrict the entry of H-1B specialty occupation workers unless employers pay a $100,000 fee per petition. This Proclamation took effect at 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025.

Since then, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued clarifying guidance indicating that the Proclamation will not impact:

• Anyone with an H-1B petition approved or filed on their behalf before 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025
• Anyone in possession of a valid H-1B visa stamp

• Anyone seeking to extend H-1B status with the same employer

• Anyone seeking to transfer their H-1B status to a new employer, or to otherwise amend their existing H-1B status

• Anyone in another status (such as F-1 OPT) seeking to change to H-1B status

Worth noting is that the “beneficiary of such petition will not be considered to be subject to the payment if he or she subsequently departs the United States and applies for a visa based on the approved petition and/or seeks to reenter the United States on a current H-1B visa.”

The Proclamation will apply to:

• New H-1B petitions filed for beneficiaries who are outside the United States and do not have a currently valid H-1B visa

• H-1B petitions that request port of entry notification, consular notification, or pre-flight inspection for foreign nationals in the United States

• H-1B petitions that request “a change of status or amendment or extension of stay and USCIS determines that the [foreign national] is ineligible for a change of status or an amendment or extension of stay (e.g., is not in a valid nonimmigrant visa status or if the [foreign national] departs the United States prior to adjudication of a change of status request)”

Exceptions Based on National Interest

The Proclamation allows for exceptions to the $100,000 payment where the employer can demonstrate that the H-1B worker’s hiring is in the national interest. Employers seeking such an exception must email USCIS prior to filing an H-1B petition to demonstrate the following:

1. The foreign national’s presence in the U.S. as an H-1B worker is in the national interest,
2. No American worker is available to fill the role,
3. The foreign national does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the U.S., and
4. Requiring the petitioning employer to pay the fee would significantly undermine the interests of the U.S.

The process for seeking exceptions was only announced on October 20, so it remains unclear how frequently exceptions will be granted, and how long they will take to process. USCIS guidance states that such exceptions will be “extraordinarily rare.” The ISO will work with hiring departments, Government Relations, and Office of Counsel to identify cases for which the University will request such exceptions.

If hiring managers and department representatives are interested in recruiting a potential employee subject to the Proclamation, special consideration will be needed with respect to the person’s physical location, alternate visa options, and the timeline for hiring. This does not necessarily mean that a person outside of the U.S. cannot be recruited; it will, however, require departments to plan to allow the maximum amount of time to determine if the University will request an exception and obtain a decision on the request, if filed.

Payment of the $100,000 Fee

The $100,000 fee must be paid by the sponsoring employer, and this cost should not be passed along to the employee. Proclamation Sections 2(b) and (c) reference DOS and DHS verification that “the filing employer” and “the prospective employer” has made the required payment before a visa is issued or entry to the United States is permitted. Further, the H-1B visa category contains wage restrictions that restrict an employer’s ability to pass costs along to the H-1B employee.

Payment must be made prior to filing a petition with USCIS.  When filing the petition, petitioners must submit proof that the payment has been scheduled from pay.gov or evidence of an approved exception from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Petitions subject to the $100,000 payment that are filed without a copy of the proof of the payment from pay.gov or evidence of an exception from the Secretary of Homeland Security will be denied.

Government Shutdown

All of this is taking place in the wake of the government shutdown.  As previously communicated, fee-funded agencies like USCIS continue operations during the shutdown.  However, federal agencies which rely on congressional funding are affected. This includes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) which issues Labor Condition Applications (LCAs). The LCA is a required pre-filing step required for every H-1B petition. OFLC’s activities have been suspended and their website shut down. This means that our office cannot submit any Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) or access certified LCAs until the federal government ends the shutdown. Access to the DOL website and the FLAG system are integral to preparing H-1B petitions.

Next Steps

To continue moving forward, the ISO has started filing H-1B petitions with previously certified LCAs and where the circumstances are such that, per the guidance discussed above, the $100,000 fee does not apply.  Where a petition appears subject to the Proclamation, ISO will contact the hiring department and its senior leadership team to determine next steps, including possible exceptions and alternate visa categories. Decisions to pay the $100,000 fee must be made in conjunction with the ISO, senior leadership, and the Office of Counsel. Departments and schools should set clear expectations with candidates around this Proclamation and avoid making assurances that the University will seek an exception or pay the fee in a particular case.

We will continue to accept H-1B requests from departments and prepare petitions until they can be filed. If circumstances continue to delay the filing of new petitions, the ISO team is considering alternative visa pathways, such that current international employees who are not under H-1B sponsorship can continue the extraordinary work that they are doing and new hires can join the University of Rochester and the University of Rochester Medical Center with efficiency.

To continue to provide guidance in this area, the ISO, in collaboration with Office of Counsel, and Harter, Secrest, and Emery, will host a webinar on Monday, November 3^rd, 2025 at 1:00 PM that addresses updates to the H-1B Proclamation. The webinar will be presented by attorney Glenn Schieck.  Please register here if you would like to attend.

Thank you for your commitment to our international scholars and employees.  We appreciate your patience in these challenging times.

Kindest regards,

Wendy Fritz, Ed.D

Interim Director, International Services Office

The post H-1B Proclamation – USCIS Issues Clarifying Guidance appeared first on International Services Office.

As you are aware, on Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump signed the Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers. The Proclamation sets out to restrict the entry into the U.S. of first-time/initial H-1B specialty occupation workers unless employers pay a $100,000 fee per petition. This proclamation took effect at 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025.

Since then, there have been clarifying statements issued by USCIS and CBP indicating that the proclamation will not impact:

• H-1B workers who are the beneficiaries of currently approved petitions
• any petitions filed prior to 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025
• any H-1B worker in possession of a valid H-1B visa stamp
• any payments or fees required to be submitted in connection with any H-1B renewal

Last week, following consultation with senior leadership and university counsel, the International Services Office (ISO) informed hiring departments that we would not be filing any new H-1B petitions (consulate notifications, change of status, or portability cases) until detailed aspects of the proclamation were fully understood—specifically who would be exempt from the $100,000 petition fee.

Following that email, many of you reached out to the ISO indicating your concern about the pause as it relates to timing and the current immigration status of international employees working in your departments.  We understand that for many employees who are on F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or are currently in the country under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) there is significant anxiety about filing an H-1B petition in a timely manner.

ISO has been in regular contact with legal counsel and senior leadership about these concerns.  In light of the ongoing uncertainty regarding key details from the proclamation, specifically who will be included in the exemptions and how the fee will be paid, the ISO has been advised that it may resume filing new H-1B petitions that are deemed time sensitive and/or critical.  Unfortunately, this decision was reached in the wake of the government shutdown. 

Fee-funded agencies like USCIS continue operations during the shutdown.  However, federal agencies which rely on congressional funding are affected. This includes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) which administers all foreign labor certifications. The activities of this office have been suspended and access to the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) has been disabled. As result our office cannot submit any Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) or access certified LCAs until the federal government ends the shutdown. Access to the DOL website and the FLAG system are integral to preparing H-1B petitions.

To continue moving forward, the ISO will begin to file, consistent with the above, H-1B petitions that have certified LCAs. We do not know what will happen once the petitions are filed. It is our hope that filing at this time will result in approvals that will not require the $100,000 fee.  If a petition requires payment of $100,000, ISO will contact the hiring department and its senior leadership to determine next steps.  Departments and schools should understand that payment of the $100,000 fee does not guarantee that an application will be accepted.

Please note, we will continue to accept H-1B requests from departments and prepare petitions until they can be filed. If circumstances continue to delay the filing of new petitions, the ISO team is considering alternative visa pathways, such that current international employees who are not under H-1B sponsorship can continue the extraordinary work that they are doing and new hires can join the University of Rochester with efficiency.

Our office realizes the shutdown adds another layer of uncertainty coming soon after the H-1B presidential proclamation. We share the University leadership’s hope that the shutdown can be resolved quickly. Nevertheless, we ask for your continued patience while we navigate these unprecedented challenges and monitor progress towards clarity and resolution.

Kindest regards,

Wendy Fritz, Ed.D

Interim Director, International Services Office

The post Government Shutdown and Update on H-1B Filings appeared first on International Services Office.

Greetings,

On Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump signed the Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.  The Proclamation sets out to restrict the entry of H-1B specialty occupation workers unless employers pay a $100,000 fee per petition. This proclamation took effect at 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025.

Since then, there have been clarifying statements issued by USCIS and CBP indicating that the proclamation will not impact:

• H-1B workers who are the beneficiaries of currently approved petitions
• any petitions filed prior to 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025
• any H-1B worker in possession of a valid H-1B visa stamp
• any payments or fees required to be submitted in connection with any H-1B renewal

Because there are aspects of the proclamation that are not fully understood yet, and its application may change depending on agency guidance and litigation outcomes, the International Services Office (ISO) will not be filing any new H-1B petitions with immigration services. This includes consulate notifications, changes of status and portability petitions.  We will, however, continue to accept H-1B requests from departments and prepare petitions and hold them until we can file.  As departments recruit international employees, we want to ensure that we are making progress with Labor Condition Applications (LCA), the I-I29 Petition for Non-Immigrant Workers, and all other supporting documentation.  Note that applications that have previously been submitted to the ISO are still being prepared.

For employees in the H-1B status, we will continue filing their H-1B extensions or their H-1B amended petitions with immigration services.

It is our hope that in the coming weeks, additional information about the proclamation will emerge, specifically an understanding of the scope of the exemptions.  Once the proclamation is fully understood, the ISO in consultation with the Office of Counsel and Government Relations will determine if the completed petition classifications mentioned above can be submitted to immigration services for filing.  We encourage you to reach out to iso@rochester.edu with any questions or concerns.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as information becomes available.

Thank you for your support of our international scholars and employees in these challenging times.

Kindest regards,

Wendy Fritz

The post H-1B Proclamation Update – Pause on Filing New H-1B Petitions appeared first on International Services Office.

Greetings, H-1B visa holder:

On Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump signed the Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.  The Proclamation sets out to restrict the entry of H-1B specialty occupation workers unless employers pay a $100,000 fee per petition. This proclamation took effect at 12:01 AM Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Since then, there have been clarifying statements issued by USCIS and CBP that have included the following:

The proclamation does not impact:

• H-1B workers who are the beneficiaries of currently approved petitions
• any H-1B petitions filed prior to 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025
• any H-1B worker in possession of a valid H-1B visa stamp
• any payments or fees required to be submitted in connection with any H-1B renewal

Despite these clarifications, we strongly advise all H-1B visa holders who are in the country to remain in the country. If you decide to travel outside the U.S., we strongly recommend that you reach out to iso@rochester.edu before finalizing plans.

There are aspects of the proclamation that are not fully understood yet, and its application may change depending on agency guidance and litigation outcomes. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as information becomes available.

Kindest regards,

Wendy Fritz

The post H-1B Proclamation Update appeared first on International Services Office.

If this rule is implemented as proposed, key changes include:

1. eliminating Duration of Status (D/S) and changing F and J statuses to have specific end dates for their permission to stay in the US, tied to their program end date, but not to exceed 4 years
2. requiring students and exchange visitors who need additional time to apply for an extension of stay to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with an application form and fee
3. prohibiting F-1 graduate students from changing their academic program/school prior to degree completion
4. prohibiting F-1 students from completing a second degree in the US at the same educational level or from changing to a lower educational level (from PhD to master’s, for example)
5. requiring undergraduate F-1 students to complete an academic year before being able to change their educational objective or transfer to another school
6. decreasing the F-1 grace period from 60 to 30 days

Again, these are proposed changes and are not currently in effect. ISO will notify students and scholars if or when any actual changes are published, along with the effective date of changes. It is important to note that the university responded to the proclamation during the 30-day comment period on Monday, September 28, 2025.  After the comment period, DHS will review all comments and will consider changes to the proposed rule. After any revisions are made, DHS will again place it in the Federal Register as a final rule with an effective date. This process can take several months to complete.

We know proposed rule changes can cause uncertainty and anxiety, and we want students and scholars to know that we are here to support you. Please reach out to ISO you have any questions.

The post Proposed Rule to Eliminate F-1/J-1 Duration of Status (D/S) appeared first on International Services Office.

On Tuesday, July 15, the Department of State reduced the visa validity periods for non-immigrant visas to three-month, single-entry visas for applicants from the following countries:

• Afghanistan;
• Angola;
• Antigua and Barbuda;
• Benin;
• Bhutan;
• Burkina Faso;
• Burma/Myanmar;
• Burundi;
• Cabo Verde;
• Cambodia;
• Cameroon;
• Chad;
• Cote D’Ivoire;
• Republic of Congo;
• Democratic Republic of Congo;
• Cuba;
• Djibouti;
• Dominica;
• Egypt;
• Eritrea;
• Ethiopia;
• Equatorial Guinea;
• Gabon;
• Gambia;
• Ghana;
• Haiti;
• Iran;
• Ivory Coast;
• Kyrgyzstan;
• Laos;
• Liberia;
• Libya;
• Madagascar;
• Malawi;
• Mauritania;
• Micronesia;
• Niger;
• Nigeria;
• Palau;
• Saint Kitts and Nevis;
• Saint Lucia;
• Sao Tome and Principe;
• Senegal;
• Sierra Leone;
• Somalia;
• South Sudan;
• Sudan;
• Syria;
• Tanzania;
• Timor-Leste;
• Togo;
• Tonga;
• Tuvalu;
• Uganda;
• Vanuatu;
• Venezuela;
• Yemen;
• Zambia;
• Zimbabwe.

The International Services Office (ISO) advises students to carefully consider this new policy. Upon arrival in Rochester, you may wish to remain in the U.S. until completion of your degree, because leaving the U.S. may jeopardize your ability to return and resume your studies. The “single entry” portion of the policy means that if you leave the U.S. during your studies, you will be required to apply for a new student visa at a U.S. Consulate to re-enter. (For information regarding travel to Canada, please view the regulations on Automatic Revalidation prior to your departure.) Please note, if your country is subject to a travel ban, your visa application will likely be denied.

As of this writing, it is legal to be in the country with an expired visa. Be advised, if you choose to remain in the country for the duration of your degree program, you will need to ensure you have funding, in addition to tuition, to cover the costs of housing, food, and related expenses.

If you do not currently have your visa and are unsure of your ability to begin the semester in Rochester on time, please contact your academic department for guidance.

If you have immediate financial concerns or are unable to enter the country, work with your academic program.

The University and the International Services Office (ISO) will continue to closely monitor developments regarding travel restrictions and will provide you with timely updates. Additionally, we will keep The Federal Policy Changes on our website updated as information becomes available.

Kindest regards,

Ravi Shankar
Interim Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Wendy Fritz
Interim Assistant Vice Provost for International Services & Support

The post Incoming Students: Three Month, Single Entry Visas appeared first on International Services Office.

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, news outlets began reporting that the Department of State issued a memo to consular posts informing them of a potential travel ban for 36 additional countries if they did not meet certain requirements set by the Trump Administration within 60 days. These additional countries are:

• Angola
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Burkina Faso
• Cabo Verde
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Ivory Coast
• Kyrgyzstan
• Liberia
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

As of this writing, an official travel ban for these countries has not been announced.

If you are an incoming graduate student currently outside the United States, the International Services Office would like to remind you that you may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the program start date indicated on your I-20. To avoid potential travel, ban issues, you may want to consider arriving in advance of your program’s start date. For questions about graduate student housing, please contact Rebecca Orton with Graduate and Family Housing at: rebecca.orton@rochester.edu.

If you do not currently have your visa and are unsure of your ability to begin the semester in Rochester on time, please contact your admitting department for guidance.

The University and the International Services Office (ISO) will continue to closely monitor developments regarding travel restrictions and will provide you with timely updates. Additionally, we will keep The Federal Policy Changes on our website updated as information becomes available.

We look forward to seeing you on campus.

Kindest regards,

Ravi Shankar
Interim Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Wendy Fritz
Interim Assistant Vice Provost for International Services & Support

The post Incoming Graduate Students: Potential Expanded Travel Ban appeared first on International Services Office.

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, the Department of State sent a memo to consular posts indicating a potential travel ban for 36 additional countries: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Ethiopia; Egypt; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Kyrgyzstan; Liberia; Malawi; Mauritania; Niger; Nigeria; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; South Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. If you traveled outside of the United States, the International Services Office strongly encourages you to return to the United States as early as possible to avoid potential delays caused by any future travel restrictions involving the countries listed above.

The University and the International Services Office (ISO) will continue to closely monitor developments regarding travel restrictions and will provide you with timely updates.  Additionally, we will keep The Federal Policy Changes on our website updated as information becomes available. In the meantime, we urge you to reach out to either of the departments below if you will require assistance upon your early return to campus:

• If you are an undergraduate arriving before the designated move-in date of Thursday, August 21, please reach out to the main office of the Office for Residential Life & Housing Services at: housing@reslife.rochester.edu. For questions about housing for graduate students, please contact Rebecca Orton with Graduate and Family Housing at: rebecca.orton@rochester.edu.

• Students with additional support needs may seek assistance through the Student Support Basic Needs Hub. To submit a request, please complete a resource request form. Note that demonstrated need, availability of resources, reason for needing support, relevance, and timing of the request will all be considered when allocating resources. You may email questions to basicneedshub@rochester.edu.

We look forward to having you back on campus soon.

Kindest regards,

Ravi Shankar

Interim Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Wendy Fritz

Interim Assistant Vice Provost for International Services & Support

The post Guidance for Current International Students from Potentially Extended Travel Ban Countries appeared first on International Services Office.

We would like to correct an error in our previous message regarding the upcoming Visa Interview Preparation Webinar hosted by Homebase.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 9:00–10:00 PM EDT (not Tuesday, as previously stated).

Register here: https://lu.ma/dw2u6dz1

Led by former Visa Officers with experience conducting over 100,000 visa interviews, this session will offer valuable tips to help you prepare effectively and approach your interview with confidence.

We apologize for the confusion and encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Sincerely,
International Services Office
University of Rochester

The post Date Correction Prepare for Your Visa Interview – July 9 Webinar appeared first on International Services Office.