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Limited stateside H-1B visa renewal program relaunching

Jan. 16, 2024

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) is relaunching the H-1B Domestic Renewal Pilot Program on January 29, 2024. DOS has released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the program on their website and an online tool to assist with determining eligibility to participate in the program. A visa stamp in your...

New, Improved USCIS Online Change of Address Tool

Oct. 16, 2023

U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new online self-service Change of Address Tool that allows applicants with pending applications and petitions to update their address with USCIS more easily. According to a recent USCIS announcement , the Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) tool “will significantly improve the...

Potential U.S. Government Shutdown

Sept. 26, 2023

When the U.S. government has shut down temporarily in the past, the impact on the services provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been minimal. This is because the USCIS charges fees directly for their services. ISSS expects that the USCIS will continue to process immigration applications...

End of the COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Federal Employees, Federal Contractors, and International Air Travelers

May 4, 2023

The Biden-Harris Administration announced the end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers effective at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. Read More from the White House Read More from the CDC...

Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Abortion

June 28, 2022

On Friday, June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court made an important decision regarding abortion. While there is not a federal law prohibiting abortion, the university and ISSS understand the profound effects that this decision has on our campus community, including international students and scholars. We encourage you to read...

Biden Administration Halts Covid-19 Test Requirement for Air Travelers to U.S.

June 10, 2022

On June 10, 2022 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced the recension of the Biden administration order requiring a negative COVID-19 test for air travelers coming into the United States. This requirement had been in place since early 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky...

RESCINDED: Temporary Restriction on Entering the U.S. after Travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, & Zimbabwe

Dec. 28, 2021

On December 28, 2021, President Biden released a presidential proclamation which eliminated temporary COVID-19 restrictions on e ntering the U.S. after t ravel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, & Zimbabwe . The COVID-19 v accination e ntry r equirements and t esting restrictions , effective November...

November 29, 2021: Temporary Restriction on Entering the U.S. after Travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, & Zimbabwe

Nov. 29, 2021

Updated Jan 3, 2022: This restriction has now been rescinded. See Updated Article On November 26, the federal Health and Human Services classified a new COVID-19 variant Omicron as a Variant of Concern . Under a presidential proclamation issued November 26, the following restriction took effect at 12:01 a.m. (EST)...

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SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20

Nov. 2, 2021

On Nov.1, 2021, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20 . This guidance formalizes flexibility granted during the COVID-19 pandemic and permits designated school officials (DSOs) permission to continue to electronically sign and transmit the Form...

COVID-19 Vaccination Entry Requirements & Testing

Nov. 1, 2021

On October 25, 2021, President Biden released a presidential proclamation which eliminated COVID-19 entry restrictions for air travel based upon the departure country and replaces them with a worldwide COVID-19 vaccination requirement with limited exceptions. The Temporary Restriction on Entering the U.S. after Travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,...

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