This message was originally sent to international students and scholars by email on June 25, 2025.

Dear International Huskies,

Greetings from the International Student and Scholar Services at UConn!  I’m writing with some updates on the pause in visa interview appointments we are experiencing at U.S. consular posts around the world and with a request for all students to share the status of their visa applications with the ISSS.

On June 18, 2025 the Department of State released an Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants where they indicate that their “overseas posts will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon. ”  This is welcome news as I know that many of you have been waiting several weeks with no visa interview appointments available, so this is a welcome announcement.  They also announced that when interview appointments resume, “applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’.” For those who have applied for a visa to the U.S. in the past this is a change to be aware of and you should be sure to follow all instructions from the consular post prior to your interview date.

There have been several recent news reports related to these changes, that you can review online in the Washington Post and Politico among other outlets.  One of the biggest changes to visa processing is that all F or J visa applicants who after interviewing and are eligible for the visa, will now have their visa “refused” due to 221G for additional administrative processing while the applicant sets their social media accounts to “public” and the consular officials perform a thorough review of the applicants entire online presence, not just social media activity.  In the past not all visa applicants were refused for 221G administrative processing, but this will be more common going forward.

Please see below for some next steps for students and J-1 scholars as well as some resources you should review prior to any visa interview.

Has your visa been issued?
Many students shared that their visa applications were approved, and their visas were issued.  This is terrific news, and we want to know about it.  If your visa has been approved and issued, please report this to ISSS by visiting https://international.global.uconn.edu/get-started/ and select “Step Six: Report Visa Approval”.  J-1 visiting research scholars and professors can share this with international@uconn.edu.

Are you experiencing visa delays or was your visa refused?
If you are experiencing administrative processing lasting more than 2 weeks or if your visa was refused due to 214b or another reason please report this to ISSS by visiting https://international.global.uconn.edu/get-started/ and select “Step Five: Report Visa Delays/Denials”.  This information can help us advise you how to move forward and we can use this anonymous data to advocate nationally for international students in the visa application process.

If your visa is refused, you are eligible to submit another visa application.  Sometimes a visa is denied if the applicant was not adequately prepared for the first interview or was overly nervous.  It is possible to overcome the denial if you make another application. J-1 visiting research scholars and professors can share this with international@uconn.edu.

 

Visa Application Resources

• ISSS: Visa Application Steps
• US Travel Docs  – Country Specific Visa Application Procedures
• UConn Immigration Resources
• NAFSA Resource: Government Scrutiny of Digital Footprint and Social Media

 

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)

President Trump issued a proclamation on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 restricting travel to the United States by foreign nationals from certain countries. This travel ban will go into effect on Monday, June 9, 2025 and will restrict travelers from identified countries who are outside the United States and who do not have a valid visa, as of June 9, 2025.     

Read the full proclamation here.   Here is an overview of the impacted countries and categories of visas whose travelers are restricted from entry to the U.S.; 

Country	Who is Impacted
Afghanistan:	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Burma	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Burundi	Partial Suspension: Immigrant Visas; B, F, M and J visa categories.
Chad	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Republic of Congo	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Cuba	Partial Suspension: Immigrant Visas; B, F, M and J visa categories.
Equatorial Guinea	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Eritrea	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Haiti	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Iran	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Laos	Partial Suspension: Immigrant Visas; B, F, M and J visa categories.
Libya	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Sierra Leone	Partial Suspension: Immigrant Visas; B, F, M and J visa categories.
Somalia	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Sudan	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Togo	Partial Suspension: Immigrant Visas; B, F, M and J visa categories.
Turkmenistan	Partial Suspension: Immigrant Visas; B, F, M and J visa categories.
Venezuela	Partial Suspension: Immigrant Visas; B, F, M and J visa categories.
Yemen	Full Suspension: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas

From the plain reading of the proclamation, it does not appear to apply to those who are outside the U.S. as of the effective date and who possess an unexpired and valid visa as of June 9, 2025. Please remember that this should not be construed as legal advice. However, we advise caution when deciding whether to travel internationally at this time for all those from the identified countries until we gain more knowledge of how this proclamation will be implemented in practice.  The proclamation also states that no immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the effective date shall be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.  

The proclamation does not apply to lawful permanent residences of the United States, any dual nationals of a country listed in the proclamation when traveling on the passport of the other country not listed in the proclamation, and a few other unique exceptions. Please email international@uconn.edu if you have specific questions about how this proclamation may impact your UConn visa.

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.

• If you are applying for a new visa, or a visa renewal, report any visa delays for administrative processing or consular denials to ISSS, here.

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

This message was originally sent to students and scholars by email on May 28, 2025.

Dear Students and Scholars,

I’m writing to all incoming and current international students and scholars at UConn.  You may have seen recent news reports that U.S. embassies have been directed to pause new visa appointments for all F, M, J visa applicants while the government implements new standards for using social media to vet visa applications.

I’m writing to reassure you that the university and the ISSS are tracking these developments very closely and as soon as we have more information to share, we will communicate it with our new students and the university community.  We want to note that the directive seems to address the addition of new F/M/J visa appointment slots. NAFSA: Association for International Education, reports, “There are indications… that the temporary appointment scheduling pause will not affect appointments that are already scheduled but will affect unused appointment slots and slots that are normally added on a periodic basis.”  Given this uncertainty, if your appointment is denied or postponed, we ask you to report this to the ISSS here as soon as possible.  In the short term, if you need to schedule a visa appointment, continue to check the Consular Electronic Appointment system regularly for available appointments. We hope this pause is temporary, and we will continue to keep you updated as we learn more about the impact of this directive, as well as any future guidance concerning the directive.

Lastly, while not required, it is always helpful when students check in and let us know when their visas have been approved.  Please continue to share news of your successful visa interviews with the ISSS, and of course, reach out with any problems, questions, or concerns. We are here to support you.

Best regards,

___________

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
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

 

This message was originally sent to students and scholars by email on May 23, 2025.

Dear International Huskies,

Greetings and congratulations to all our international students who graduated this May.  We are so proud and hope that you keep in touch!
We’re writing to share some important announcements regarding employment, travel guidance and events and services taking place this summer.

Summer Hours
The CISS and all the ISSS Staff are available for appointments and to meet with students all summer long but we will have some changes to our operating hours.  CISS in Storrs and the ISSS offices in Stamford and Hartford will be closed this Monday, May 26, 2025 in honor of the Memorial Day holiday.  Many towns across Connecticut will host Memorial Day Parades that are open to the public and sometimes end with a picnic or barbecue.  This article lists all the parades happening in Connecticut, though it is organized by county.

CISS in Storrs is open Monday – Friday 8:30-4:30 but we are closed from 12:00-1:00 every day for lunch. Schedule an appointment with your ISSS Advisor.

ISSS Hartford is open for drop-in advising Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1:00-3:00 and by appointment.  Neena will be working remotely on Mondays and Fridays.

ISSS Stamford is open for drop-in advising Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10:00-3:00 and by appointment.  Lulu will be working remotely on Tuesdays and Fridays.

 

Summer Employment
Students working on campus at UConn are eligible to work full-time during official vacation periods.  Students working on-campus will need to resume working only 20 hours/week at the end of summer break.  Students looking for summer employment can search online here: https://studentjobs.uconn.edu/

Students engaging in any type of off-campus internship or employment need to make sure they have the appropriate OPT or CPT authorization before they begin any off-campus work.  The ISSS will continue to offer workshops on the OPT and CPT application process all summer.  You can see the workshop schedule online here.

 

Summer Events and Activities
In addition to OPT and CPT workshops the CISS in Storrs will be hosting several events this summer including some Halal Food Shopping trips, Newport, Rhode Island bus trip and some Spaghetti Suppers.  See upcoming summer events at CISS on the UConn Events Calendar.

Required Student Reporting
Did you move this summer?  Remember you must report any change of address to ISSS within 10 days of moving.  Report your address here.

OPT Students – Did you report your employment to ISSS?  You must report all new employment while on OPT to ISSS within 10 days of starting the job.  Report your employment here.

Will you travel abroad this summer?  If you are departing the U.S. you must report your travel to ISSS.  Submit a Travel Information Record to report your travel and request a travel signature every time you depart the U.S. Remember to submit a copy of your updated form I-94 Arrival record to the ISSS after you return from travel abroad.

Are you traveling inside the U.S. this summer?  The ISSS recommends that if you will be traveling by plane, bus or train, or if you will be away from campus for an extended period of time that you travel with all of your original immigration documents in the event you are required to present them to a federal officer to document your immigration status.  Lastly, the ISSS wants to remind all students to always keep a copy of their most recent form I-94 Arrival record and a copy of their form I-20 or DS-2019 with them in the U.S.  You can keep and digital copy in the photo gallery on your phone or keep a paper copy in your backpack.

Help us welcome new students to Storrs in August!
The CISS is looking for volunteers to help us welcome new international students to campus this August.  Volunteers are need starting Friday, August 15.  Find more information and sign up here.

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
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

This message was originally sent by email from the president to the university community on 4/22/2025.

Please find a message from me and several other senior leaders on the UConn Today website updating our community on issues related to our international students and colleagues.

This message was originally sent by email on April 19, 2025 to all international students and visiting research scholars.

Dear International Huskies,

This week International Student and Scholar Services will host two follow up meetings for international students and visiting scholars based on the response to the Immigration Q&A held last Tuesday.  Participants need to register in advance and may also submit their questions below too.

Please note the first session is specifically for graduate students and visiting research scholars and the second session will be specifically for undergraduate and exchange students.

These sessions will be run as webinars instead of meetings to help better maintain student privacy when asking questions in front of such large group.  Everyone must register in advance using your UConn email address in order to attend.

• Tuesday, April 22, from 4:30-5:30 PM  –  Submit questions and register here in advance
  Immigration Q & A Follow Up for International Graduate Students and Visiting Scholars
• Friday, April 25, from 4:00-5:00 PM  – Submit questions and register here in advance
  Immigration Q & A Follow Up for International Undergraduate Students

I look forward to see you all next week.

Best,

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
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

This message was originally sent to international students and scholars by email on April 16, 2025.

Dear International Huskies,

I’m writing with an update to our message from February 24, 2025 advising on the documentation to carry every day when in the U.S.  There are new registration requirements that took effect last Friday that will impact F-2 and J-2 minors turning 14 (or who have already turned 14 and have yet to register).

All F and J visa holders must register their stay in the U.S. with the U.S. government.  Registration starts when you apply for the visa at a U.S. consulate and the registration is finished when you arrive in the U.S. and are issued a Form I-94.  All F-1/J-1 students, their F-2/J-2 spouses and F-2/J-2 children who were over 14 years old when entering the U.S. are already registered and should carry a copy of their I-94 record  and their forms I-20 or DS-2019 with them as proof of registration.

Children who entered the U.S. when they were younger than 14 years old are now required to re-register with USCIS within 30 days of turning 14 years old. Upon turning 14, the nonimmigrants will need to review the USCIS Alien Registration (see “How to Register”) and follow the steps below:

1. Create a USCIS online account
2. Submit form G-325R online to USCIS
3. Check your email/documents section of your USCIS online account for two things:
   1. Receipt notice
   2. Notification of biometrics appointment
4. Attend biometrics appointment
5. Receive proof of G-325R registration online in your USCIS online account

The updated USCIS Alien Registration page makes it clear that, “All aliens 18 years of age and over in the United States required to register under INA 262, including but not limited to those who register using this new process, must carry and have in their personal possession evidence of their registration at all times.”  As a result of this new process for minors and the updated language on their website, I urge all F-1/J-1 students and scholars and their F-2/J-2 spouses and children over 18 to keep a paper copy of their I-94, their Form I-20 or DS-2019, a copy of their visa, and their passport photo page with them at all times to comply with this rule.

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

This message was originally sent to all international students and scholars by email on April 15, 2025

Dear International Huskies,

We are writing today with additional information on the changing U.S. immigration landscape related to international student visa revocations and terminated SEVIS records. Over the past week hundreds of international students at universities across the U.S. have had their visas revoked and/or their SEVIS records terminated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with no notice provided to the university.

Unfortunately, international students at UConn have also been impacted by these actions. We want to explain in more detail what a SEVIS record is, and how ISSS is responding to these actions. We also want to assure you that we are closely monitoring SEVIS for record changes while coordinating support for impacted students. You will be contacted directly by ISSS should your SEVIS record be impacted as described; it is not necessary to contact ISSS to request a verification of your SEVIS status.

Background Information

• The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS, is a federal database with records for each student and exchange visitor in the U.S. on an F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 visa. When you are admitted or invited to UConn and request an I-20 form (F-1) or DS-2019 form (J-1), UConn creates a record for you in SEVIS. UConn is required to use SEVIS as a condition of sponsoring your visa. Your SEVIS record has all the information that is listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 form, plus additional information that must be kept up to date per federal visa regulations.

• Each SEVIS record has a “status”. Before you arrive in the U.S., your SEVIS status is in “initial” status. After you arrive and check in, UConn updates the status to “active”. When you finish your program, your SEVIS record is “complete”. However, in some cases your record could be updated to “Terminated”- this can happen if you intentionally or unintentionally do something that is not permitted under the F/J visa regulations, or if you leave your program before completing.

• In the recent cases of SEVIS terminations/visa revocations, the government has terminated student SEVIS records without communicating with schools about why the actions were taken.

• Factors that appear to put students at a higher risk of SEVIS termination include having a prior arrest or documented criminal activity, public participation in political activism, or having a prior visa revocation.

• The legal consequences of having a government-terminated SEVIS record are unclear, and students in this situation should work with legal counsel to understand the implications for their legal status in the U.S.

What is ISSS doing in response?

• Every day, multiple times per day, ISSS staff review student, scholar and OPT lists in the SEVIS database to look for changes in SEVIS status.

• If ISSS identifies a SEVIS record that was terminated by the government, they will contact the student/scholar and their academic department by email as soon as possible.  While having a terminated SEVIS record will not impact a student’s academic status, it will prevent them from working in the U.S. and may limit access to services where the immigration status needs to be verified, like at the DMV.

• ISSS will provide the impacted student with a list of immigration attorneys and guidance on how to engage with the immigration attorney.

• ISSS works with a team of campus partners who are working to evaluate academic and support options for each student or scholar and provide logistical and emotional support. Students can expect to receive support from ISSS, Dean of Students, The Graduate School, their academic departments and others.

• Each student or scholar case is different, and the options available to each student or scholar will also be different.

• In general when a student’s record is terminated the following happens:

• Student loses all on- and/or off-campus employment authorization.

• Student cannot re-enter the United States on the terminated SEVIS record.

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents may investigate to confirm the departure of the student.

• Any associated F-2 or M-2 dependent records are terminated.”

 

What can you do during this time?

• All students and exchange visitors on F/J visas, and their dependents, must carry evidence of your registration in the U.S. at all times.  For most, this evidence is your I-94 admission record. You should print your I-94 record here, and keep a copy of this with you. Click on “Get Most Recent I-94″ to print your record.

• Review the F/J visa regulations here: https://international.global.uconn.edu/maintaining-status/ so that you can make sure to follow all regulations while in the U.S. F and J visa rules are also printed on page 2 of the Form I-20 and on the back side of the Form DS-2019.

• Think about who you would call in the event of an immigration emergency like an arrest or detainment and keep this person’s telephone number with you. This might be a family member or an attorney; it should be someone who can make phone calls and arrangements on your behalf. Also keep the number of your home country’s embassy or consulate with you, if your country has diplomatic relations with the U.S.

•  Be aware of your social media usage and any public political activism or support. You may find this guide to social media usage for noncitizens helpful.

• Attend an Immigration Q&A on Tuesday, April 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm with Immigration Attorney Dan Berger, from Green and Spiegel. Attorney Berger will be providing information, not legal advice about the current immigration landscape.  Find additional information and join the meeting here.

Travel this Summer:

Many students have questions now about whether they should travel abroad during the summer break.  This is a personal decision to make but may be influenced by certain factors.

• There have been reports of possible travel bans for international students and scholars from specific countries. UConn does not know when or if these travel bans will be published, which countries will be included on final lists, and what type of travel restrictions each country may face.

• Every time you return from a trip abroad you are putting yourself before a federal immigration officer at a U.S. Port of Entry when you seek entry to the U.S.  If there is anything in your personal history that could be problematic (a history of arrests in the U.S., a prior terminated SEVIS record, evidence of unauthorized employment or other concerns) you could be pulled into secondary inspection and be asked to explain your actions.

• If renewing a visa, consular officers have indicated that they are paying more attention to social media profiles, and students who have prior terminated SEVIS records may face extra scrutiny during the visa renewal process.

• Students and scholars seeking entry to the U.S. should be aware that all electronic devices will be subject to search/review.

• Do not forget to obtain an up-to-date travel signature from ISSS before you depart and ensure that your U.S. visa is unexpired and that your passport will be valid at least six months beyond your return date.

University Resources

• International students and visiting scholars can visit the Center for International Students & Scholars website for updated guidance on travel concerns and emerging trends related to their immigration status, and to connect with international advising staff who can provide individualized guidance
•  General student support is also available from the Dean of Students Office and The Graduate School.

We also want to remind students of the mental health support services available to them:

International students at UConn Storrs and the regional campuses:

• Office of Student Care and Concern – 860-486-8777

• Student Health and Wellness Mental Health – 860-486-4700
• Student Health and Wellness Immediate Support Services – 833-308-3040

International employees, including graduate assistants represented by the GEU at UConn Storrs and regional campuses:

• Employee Assistance Program – 1-800-676-HELP (4357) (for employees, including graduate assistants)

I hope to see you today at the Immigration Q & A.

 

Best regards,

___________

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

This message was originally sent by email on 4/13/2025

Dear International Huskies,

I’m writing with information about an important upcoming event on Tuesday.  ISSS will host attorney Dan Berger from Green and Spiegel, an immigration law firm on Tuesday, April 15 from 3:30-4:30 pm for a virtual Immigration Q & A with international students and scholars. This will be open to all international students and scholars and is a good opportunity to ask any outstanding questions you may have.  You should submit your questions in ADVANCE.  Submit your questions here.

Get more information and join the Webex from the event calendar page.