Students seeking services can see our current student services page, which includes virtual and in-person options. For J scholar and Employment-based services, please see our Contact Us page.
A Department of State (DOS) final rule published at 88 FR 18243 (March 28, 2023) raises visa processing fees, effective May 30, 2023. (These are the visa processing fees for an entry visa application at an embassy or consulate abroad.) Changes impacting students and scholars or employees:
NIV MRV*, non-petition-based (except E)- changing from $160 to $185NIV MRV* petition-based (H, L, O, P, Q, R)- changing from $190 to $205
On March 10, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescinded the Order titled “Requirements for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for Aircraft Passengers Traveling to the United States from the People’s Republic of China.”
This rescission takes effect for flights departing to the United States from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Designated Airports*at or after 3:00pm ET (8:00pm GMT) on March 10, 2023...
The U.S. Department of State announced the publication of an Interim Final Rule that permits designated sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) to digitally sign and electronically transmit the J-1 DS-2019 form, effective April 27, 2023. With this change, sponsors like UC Berkeley can either
print and physically sign paper forms in ink, scan and save them, and electronically transmit them (e.g., via email). OR, sponsors onors may may use digital signature software to sign Forms DS-2019 and then electronically transmit them.
After receiving the DS-2019s electronically, J-1...
On December 28, 2022, stricter testing requirements for international travelers to the US were announced by the CDC as part of a comprehensive strategy to fight COVID-19. The following is an excerpt from the CDC announcement: Starting at 12:01 AM ET on January 5, all air passengers two years and older originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be required to get a test (such as a...
As of 12:01 am EDT May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. See the CDC travel page for more information
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) has established regulations that prohibit U.S. persons (including the University of California) from providing services - including remote educational services - to individuals in certain sanctioned countries without a general or specific license. The list of OFAC sanctioned countries currently includes: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Ukraine-Crimea Region
In order to avoid violating that law, UC Berkeley is taking...
Under the proclamation, "the term “military-civil fusion strategy” means actions by or at the behest of the PRC to acquire and divert foreign technologies, specifically critical and emerging technologies, to incorporate into and advance the PRC’s military capabilities."
This page collects updates on U.S. Government policy changes regarding travel and visas.
For the near future, Berkeley International Office recommends minimizing international travel due to the changing nature of the new administration's policies on visas and U.S. entry. Should you have concerns about immediate or essential international travel or visa renewal, contact BIO to consult an advisor.