Policy Updates

Used for immigration and visa policy changes as well as Executive Order updates. 

Government Shutdown 2019

January 7, 2019

The US government shutdown may impact certain government services until a resolution is reached. NAFSA's Government Shutdown Updates page has updated links to services which might impact student, scholar, or employment-based status holders.

Berkeley International Office is aware that Customs and Border Protection Deferred Inspections office in San Francisco has been impacted by the shutdown, and appointments for Deferred Inspection are currently unavailable.

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Final H1-B Cap Filing & Processing Rule Published

February 7, 2019

The US Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule titled "Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens" which becomes effective April 1, 2019 which is the first day of the 2020 cap-filing season. Part of the rule which related to a pre-registration requirement for employers has been suspended for the 2020 filing season, but is...

Public Charge Rule Implementation Date Feb 24, 2020

January 31, 2020

USCIS announced that it will implement the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule on Feb. 24, 2020, except in Illinois, where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court as of Jan. 30, 2020. The final rule will apply only to applications postmarked (or submitted electronically) on or after Feb.24, 2020. When determining whether an individual is likely to become a public charge at any time in the future, DHS will not consider application for, certification or approval to receive, or receipt of certain...

Public Charge

November 21, 2019

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) recently published new federal regulations regarding “public charge,” which is an evaluation of whether a foreign national is likely to need financial support from the U.S. or state government while they are in the U.S. The rules may impact students and scholars who apply for admission to the U.S. for a U.S. visa, for a change of immigration status within the U.S., adjustment of status to Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card), or for an extension of status for certain other nonimmigrant categories....

Jan 31, 2020 Presidential Proclamation "Travel Ban" Does Not Impact Student Visa Category

January 31, 2020
On January 31, 2020 President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation entitled Proclamation on Improving Enhanced Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry to take effect on February 21, 2020. This Presidential Proclamation restricts entry on immigrant visas for citizens and nationals of Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria and entry as Diversity Immigrants for citizens and nationals of Sudan and Tanzania. Note that this DOES NOT include F or J student or scholar visa categories.

Presidential Proclamation: China Travel Suspension

January 31, 2020

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE:Effective Sunday, February 2nd at 5 p.m. eastern standard time, the U.S. government will deny the entry into the U.S. of any foreign national (except immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents) who has traveled in China within the last 14 days (excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau).

BIO is closely monitoring the current coronavirus outbreak and...

Presidential Proclamation: United Kingdom and Ireland Travel Suspension

March 14, 2020

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time, the entry into the United States of any foreign national (except immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and others excluded in section 2 of the Presidential Proclamation) who was physically present within the the United Kingdom (excluding...

Presidential Proclamation: Iran Travel Suspension

March 2, 2020

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: Effective Monday, March 2nd at 5 p.m. eastern standard time, the U.S. government will deny the entry into the U.S. of any foreign national (except immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents) who were physically present within the Islamic Republic of Iran within the last 14 days. This proclamation does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on March 2, 2020.

BIO is closely monitoring the current...

Presidential Proclamation: Europe Schengen Area Travel Suspension

March 12, 2020

Effective Friday, March 13 at 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time, the entry into the United States of any foreign national (except immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and others excluded in section 2 of the proclamation) who was physically present within the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding their entry or...

U.S. Travel Restrictions Announced for Canada & Mexico

March 20, 2020

A Federal Register notice announces the decision to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border to “essential travel.” “Essential travel” includes “Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions; Individuals traveling to work in...