Message for Chinese Students Re: Visa Processing and Revocations

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This message was originally sent by email on May 30, 2025 to all current and incoming students with a country of citizenship of mainland China or Hong Kong SAR.

Dear Huskies,

We are reaching out to you in support after the U.S. Secretary of State released a press statement that addresses visa revocations and additional visa processing scrutiny for certain students from mainland China and Hong Kong SAR.

Visa applications for Chinese students are already strictly vetted and subject to issuance restrictions under the Presidential Proclamation 10043.  Established in May 2020, this proclamation prohibits the issuance of U.S. visas and entry, with certain exceptions, to international graduate students and visiting scholars from China who have funding, academic or employment ties to an entity in China that supports the government’s “military-civil fusion strategy”.  This has made it more difficult for graduate students and visiting scholars from China to get visas to the U.S. if they are affiliated with the Chinese government or have government funding, study or conduct research related to sensitive technologies, or have studied/worked at universities that develop technologies that have military applications. While this new press statement implies that the U.S. State Department could expand their focus of scrutiny to include more students, we do not know that it will.

We know that many of you are currently outside the United States. It is especially important that you remain connected with UConn this summer.  We recommend you take the following steps:

  • Check your UConn email account every day. Also check the email account associated with your F or J visa application.  When the Department of State revokes a visa, they will often (but not always) send you an email notifying you of the visa revocation.
  • You can also check the status of your visa at this website: https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx  (Select Nonimmigrant Visa from the drop-down menu). NOTE: We have seen a pattern of students seeing in the case status system that their visas have been “Refused”, but in fact the visa has not been refused.  We suspect that the case system may be defaulting to the Refused status until the visa has final approval or issuance. In cases of actual refusal or denial, you should be notified by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of the reason for refusal or denial.
  • Please notify ISSS as soon as possible if you experience any changes to the status of your U.S. visa.

Please know that ISSS continues to check the status of student and exchange visitor SEVIS records, and we will notify you by email if we observe any changes to the status of your record.

We have a vibrant community of students and scholars from mainland China and Hong Kong SAR at our campuses across the state. We want you to know that you are a valued and essential part of the UConn community.  We are here for you and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Best wishes,

____________
Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Center for International Students & Scholars
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu
http://international.global.uconn.edu 
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

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