Month: August 2025

Proposed Rule to Eliminate Duration of Status for F and J Visa Holders

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This message was originally sent to international students and scholars on August 30, 2025.

Dear International Students and Scholars,

On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that could significantly change how you and your family members on F or J visas maintain your legal status in the United States. The rule is called “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” It is currently in the proposal stage and open to public comment until September 29, 2025. These comments will be published. The rule will not be finalized until all comments have been reviewed and DHS submits a final rule to the federal administration (with or without changes based on the comments), after which a final rule may be published in the federal register with a future effective date.

 

The proposed rule would change how F and J visa holders are admitted to the United States and how long they may stay.

 

Currently when you travel to the U.S., the immigration officer does not define how long you are allowed to stay on your F or J visa. Instead, you are admitted for a period of Duration of Status (D/S), which means you may stay as long as needed to complete your program, provided you follow the rules for your visa and update your I-20 or DS-2019 forms to reflect program changes and other required information. This is the current rule.

 

The new rule would change this practice, by only allowing F and J visa holders to stay in the U.S. for a defined period of stay, plus a grace period.  The rule proposes that F and J visa holders may be admitted for a period of stay equal to the program end date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years plus a grace period, per authorized period of stay. Under the proposed rule, if you cannot finish your program within your authorized period of stay, you must renew your status through travel or by applying for an extension of stay from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

This rule also proposes several related changes to F and J regulations including:

  • Changes to the grace period for F-1 visa holders
  • Changes to rules about completing multiple degrees or changing schools/programs
  • Changes to how F or J visa holders begin accruing unlawful presence if they stay beyond expiration of status

 

ISSS will contact you in the coming weeks with more information about the proposed rule and how international students and exchange visitors can prepare for future changes. While we know that this proposal may cause worry, please know that ISSS is working to fully understand the details of this rule and how we can best support you. In the meantime, please visit the university’s Support for UConn’s International Community webpage for up-to-date resources and information.

 

Best regards,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat (pronounce my name)

(he/him/his)
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://international.global.uconn.edu

Welcome International Huskies – Fall 2025

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This message was originally sent to international students and scholars by email on Friday, August 22, 2025.

Dear International Students and Scholars!

We are thrilled to welcome all our international huskies back to campus this fall! CISS staff has been hard at work welcome students and families to campus for the past week, check out our photos here. This year we have new and continuing international students from 102 different countries who will call UConn their home this fall.  ISSS supports students at all of our UConn campuses and we are here for you during your time at UConn. We have full-time ISSS staff to help you in Storrs, Stamford and Hartford campuses and part-time staff to help you at the School of Law.  Students at the Waterbury and Avery Point campuses have dedicated ISSS advisors and should check their emails for updates from ISSS and to meet with staff when we come to your campus.  Students in Storrs can visit us at the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) located at 2019 Hillside Rd.  Please see some important reminders for new and continuing international students at UConn.

Reminders for All Students

As a reminder all international students must be enrolled full-time and in predominantly in-person classes. Please review the full-time enrollment requirements here and contact your academic advisor if you have questions about your enrollment.   

When school is in session, students are expected to be studying full-time and in-person at the UConn.  One of the fundamental requirements of the F-1 visa is that students are present on campus when school is in session. Students requesting to travel when school is in session will be limited to traveling during vacation periods.  Travel over two weeks when school is in session may result in losing your F-1 or J-1 status.

ISSS advisors in Storrs campus meet with students by appointment to schedule an appointment with your advisor visit: https://international.global.uconn.edu/advising-services/

Reminders for New Students

If this is your first semester at UConn or you received an updated form I-20 or DS-2019 with an August 2025 start date you must complete the “Immigration Check-in” with ISSS by submitting your arrival documents and completing all steps in the Arrival Checklist.  THANK YOU to all the new students who already completed their immigration check in, you do not need to do this again.

If you are working on campus in an on-campus job or as a graduate assistant, don’t forget to submit the Foreign National Information Form to the payroll office and to work with ISSS to apply for a social security number (SSN).

Please log in to MyHealth.uconn.edu and check your compliance with university immunization requirements.  If you are not 100% compliant please follow up with Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) ensure you are compliant before enrollment begins for spring term.  Storrs campus students can contact SHAW in person or by calling 860-486-4700 to schedule an appointment.  Regional campus students will need to work with a local provider and submit documentation to SHAW online.  Students at the School of Law should follow guidance and procedures as instructed by the registrar at the School of Law.

Reminders for Continuing Students

Are you graduating in Fall 2025?  If you will be graduating in fall 2025 and you do not require a full course load to complete your degree, you can request to take a reduced course load for last semester from ISSS.   If fall 2025 will be your last semester and you only need to enroll in one course, it must be an in-person course and must be offered at UConn.   If you will graduate in Fall 2025 and you are interested to stay in the U.S. and work in your major field you should attend an OPT workshop and plan to apply for OPT with ISSS in October or November.  Review the Optional Practical Training (OPT) information and application procedures on our website.

**Save The Date! Upcoming Events That We Recommend**

Storrs Campus
Husky WOW Opening Weekend, Thursday, August 21 – Sunday, August 24

  • UConn Late Night, Friday, August 22 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  • Sunset Yoga Friday, August 29 – 6:30 PM at Horsebarn Hill
  • This UConn tradition should not be missed. Join over 1000 other UConn students for yoga at the end of your first week.
  • Involvement Fair Wednesday, September 3  – 2:00-6:00 PM at Fairfield Way
  • Find new ways to connect, make friends and get involved at UConn – see over 400 different student clubs and organizations.

Hartford Campus

Stamford Campus

Waterbury Campus

Avery Point Campus

Wishing you the best for a terrific fall term.

Best regards,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat (pronounce my name)

(he/him/his)
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800