Immigration Updates

Department of State
Department of Homeland Security - Study in the States
NAFSA Association for International Educators
American Immigration Lawyers Association

This page was last updated on December 3, 2024 at 1:30 pm central.

2024 Winter Travel Reminders

The Spring 2025 semester begins on January 13, 2025. As you make your winter travel plans, you must re-enter the U.S. in order to attend Spring 2025 classes in person beginning January 13. Arriving to the Spring 2025 term after the start of classes may result in poor grades. It is very important that you plan your winter travel to correspond to the start of Spring 2025. You can read more about travel requirements here: Travel & U.S. Entry | University of North Texas

Please remember that immigration rules can change quickly and entry to the U.S. is always at the discretion of the officer at the Port of Entry. Re-entry to the U.S. is never guaranteed. If you have concerns about being able to enter the U.S. due to potential changes in immigration policy, we recommend planning your travel accordingly.

Designations for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

The Department of Homeland Security has announced several new designations for TPS in recent months. Nationals of the following countries may be eligible for TPS:

Afghanistan
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Haiti
Honduras
Lebanon
Nepal
Nicaragua
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Ukraine
Venezuela
Yemen

USCIS designates various timelines for application and extensions. We recommend consulting with a trusted immigration attorney should you wish to apply for TPS. You can read more about TPS on the USCIS website here: Temporary Protected Status | USCIS

Enrollment Requirements beginning Fall 2023

COVID19 Allowance for Online Classes Ends

Full Time Enrollment

F-1 and J-1 students must maintain a full-time course load during fall and spring semesters.

F1 and J1 Undergraduate students must enroll in 12 credit hours or more.
F1 and J1 Graduate students must enroll in 9 credit hours or more.

Online Enrollment

F-1 visa holders: Only 1 online class (a 1, 2, or 3 credit hour class) per semester may count towards a “full course of study.”

F1 Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 9 credit hours of face-to-face classes.
F1 Graduate students must enroll in at least 6 credit hours of face-to-face classes.

J-1 visa holders: No online courses may count towards your full-time enrollment requirement. This means:

J1 Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours of face-to-face classes.
J1 Graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credit hours of face-to-face classes.

Coronavirus Travel Bans by Presidential Proclamation

As of May 12, 2023 - nonimmigrant travelers are no longer subject to the requirement to be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine before entering the United States. You can read more through a professional analysis here.

Updated June 28, 2022: As of June 12, a negative COVID-19 test is no longer required to enter the United States by air. All foreign nationals must still be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a WHO approved vaccine. Please see additional information.

U.S. Embassy in Moscow to Cease Non-Immigrant Visa Issuance

The Department of State announced on April 30that non-immigrant visa issuance will cease in Moscow. More information can be found online at: https://ru.usembassy.gov/message-to-u-s-citizens-u-s-mission-russia-reduction-of-consular-services/

DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela, Syria, and Myanmar

More information about TPS for these countries and others.

ISSS recommends speaking with a knowledgeable immigration attorney if you believe you may be eligible to file for TPS.

Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People's Republic of China

On May 29, 2020, the White House released the Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People's Republic of China. This proclamation will go into effect at 11 a.m. central daylight time on June 1, 2020. It suspends the entry of nationals of the People's Republic of China who plan to enter the U.S. in F or J status who receive funding, is employed by, or who conducts research for any entity in the PRC that implements or supports the People's Republic of China's "military-civil fusion strategy." There are important exceptions to this rule including but not limited to:

People pursuing undergraduate study in the U.S.
Individuals whose research or study would not contribute to the military-civil fusion strategy of the People's Republic of China as determined by the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security
U.S. lawful permanent residents
Spouses of US Citizens and permanent residents

NOTE: This proclamation is not an entry ban on all nationals of the People's Republic of China. It is meant to be applied only to those with direct ties to the People's Republic of China's "military-civil fusion strategy." There is not a current proclamation that revokes F or J visas for thsoe already in the U.S. At this time, while we believe the scope of impact from this proclamation will be relatively low at UNT, there are still many unknowns regarding how this policy will be implemented. Until we are advised otherwise by the U.S. government, we will continue to process immigration documents for all F-1 and J-1 students.

Updated January 20, 2021

President Biden signed an executive order removing previous travel restrictions put in place in 2018 and 2020 for citizens of the following countries:

Eritrea
Kyrgyzstan
Nigeria
Myanmar
Sudan
Tanzania
Iran
Libya
North Korea
Syria
Venezuela
Yemen
Somalia

Read the proclamation in its entirety. Additional background information is available at NAFSA.