Travel and Visa

Travel and Visa Policy

Elimination of Duration of Status for F-1/J-1 Students

Overview

On Friday, July 17, 2026, DHS published in the Federal Register the final rule “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.”

Beginning September 15, 2026, F and J nonimmigrants will receive a fixed admission end date instead of being admitted for Duration of Status (D/S). The rule also establishes new procedures for...

(UPDATED) Enhancing National Security By Addressing Risks At Harvard University

June 5, 2025

Updated June 5, 2025: a court blocked the implementation of the Presidential Proclamation below. Under the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), the government is prevented from implementing or enforcing the June 4 Presidential Proclamation. For further reading, the motion is available on CourtListener: Order on Motion for TRO, Docket # 59. In the same order, the court...

Temporary Delay for Scheduling of Visa Appointments for F and J Applicants

May 28, 2025

Updated 05/30/2025: On May 27, 2025, a news report confirmed that the Administration has announced a temporary delay in scheduling new visa appointments for F and J applicants as they prepare a new effort to increase vetting of social media accounts of applicants. While new appointments are on hold, it is important to note that those who already have scheduled visa appointments will not...

USCIS Adjustment of Status Memo

May 24, 2026

On May 22, USCIS announced a new policy on Adjustment of Status reaffirming that Adjustment of Status is considered a discretionary benefit rather than an entitlement. The memo does not appear to ban adjustment of status applications nor does it create new eligibility requirements. However, pending as well as new cases will likely now face additional scrutiny and approval will be subject to...

Spring 2026 Virtual Express Travel Signature Days

Virtual Express Travel Signature Days: Tuesday, May 5, 1 - 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Virtual drop-in format (no appointment needed)

Are you a F-1 or J-1 student traveling internationally soon and require a travel signature? If so, please sign in virtually to obtain an electronic travel signature from Berkeley International Office.

Please note: This is not an advising session. Advisors will not provide advising to you during this time. If you have questions, please...

Pause in Immigrant Visa Processing

January 16, 2026

On January 14, 2026 the U.S. Department of State posted an announcement relating to a pause in the processing of immigrant visas that will take effect on January 21, 2026.

Who is impacted?

This pause only applies to individuals who are seeking to obtain an immigrant visa allowing them to enter the U.S. and become a...

SEVIS Terminations & Visa Revocations

April 15, 2025

There are confirmed cases of SEVIS record terminations and visa revocations for international students at institutions nationwide, including within the UC system and at UC Berkeley. We understand that this may be causing stress and anxiety, and encourage you to reach out to support, including the Berkeley International Office, for guidance and resources.

A visa revocation is the cancellation of the visa stamp in your passport by a Department of State or a DHS official. A SEVIS record termination...

SEVIS Terminations Reversed

April 28, 2025

As of April 26, 2025, the U.S. government has reversed the termination of SEVIS records for over 1,800 international students studying in the U.S., and has temporarily halted any further terminations. At UC Berkeley, all 23 students with terminated...

Revised Visa Interview Waiver Policy

February 20, 2025

The U.S. Department of State announced a revision to its visa interview waiver policy on February 18, 2025, reversing the prior policy update made on December 21, 2023, which allowed for more applicants to bypass in-person interviews. Specifically, the policy makes the...

6/4/2025 Presidential Proclamation: Visa Issuance Ban Impacting 19 Countries

June 5, 2025

On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation titled "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats." This executive order introduces new travel restrictions and visa limitations, effective at 12:01 EST on...