Dear international students and visiting scholars,
Today the federal government published a proposed rule change that could significantly impact how you and your family on F or J visas maintain your legal status in the United States. The rule is currently in the proposal stage, and the public may comment on the rule in the next 30 days. The rule could be finalized, with or without changes, after the comment period.
The proposed rule would change how F and J visa holders are admitted to the United States. 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, including updating your I-20 or DS-2019 forms to reflect program changes. 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 time, plus a grace period.
Under the proposed rule, if you cannot finish your program within your approved period of stay, you must apply for an extension of status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This proposed rule also carries a number of related changes to F and J regulations, many of which impact how F and J visa holders apply for and receive immigration benefits.
While we know that this proposed change may cause alarm, please know that ISSS is working to fully understand the details of this rule, and how we can best support you. ISSS will provide more detailed information about the proposed rule changes at Friday’s Stay Informed! International Student and Scholar Meeting, October 2 at 12 pm. The meeting will be recorded for those who cannot watch live. We will also provide more detailed information through future written communication.
We know that recent years have been extremely difficult for international students related to immigration and tolerance in the U.S. Please know you are a vital part of the UConn community, and while the changes proposed in the rule do not change your ability to study and work in the U.S., we are concerned that the rule would create additional hurdles to achieving your academic goals. ISSS will update you on actions taken by the University in response to this rule.