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

Update on Pause in Visa Processing and Social Media Vetting

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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

 

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)

Important Travel Restrictions Impacting International Community

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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.

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

Important Message Regarding Visa Processing

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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

 

Important Announcements for Summer Employment, Travel and Events

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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

Immigration Q & A Follow Up Meetings This Week

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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.

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

New Registration Requirements and Document Carry Requirements

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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