IU Global closely monitors federal visa and immigration policy changes and their impact on international students, scholars, employees, and dependents across all IU campuses. This page will be updated regularly with verified information, and direct communications will be sent when immediate updates are necessary. While some policies take time to change, others can be implemented quickly, so we work with legal experts to provide timely, accurate guidance. If you are traveling, review the recommended documents and stay informed. To avoid misinformation, we will only share confirmed updates and refrain from addressing speculation or unverified reports.
When you travel, you should carry some specific documents with you. Do not put them in your checked baggage! Here are the documents you should carry with you:
Your I-94 form
Passport (including an attached envelope of immigration documents)
SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019
Evidence of financial resources
In addition, SEVP recommends that you also carry the following:
Admission Letter
Evidence of Student/Exchange Visitor status (recent tuition receipts, transcripts), if you are a transfer student
SEVIS Fee Receipt
Name and contact information for Designated School Official at your intended school or program (There are multiple DSOs at IU South Bend; please call the main office line at 574-520-4419 )
Writing instrument (pen)
When you are not traveling, you may prefer not to carry physical copies of your documents (Form I-20, passport, visa). In that case, you should ensure that you have clear digital copies of those documents stored securely on your device.
General information for U.S. permanent residents, naturalized and dual citizens
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have broad discretion and authority to question an individual regardless of country of origin or nationality, including an intensive review of social media activity and your personal devices. It is our understanding that naturalized citizens and legal permanent residents should not be directly affected by this order. Unnecessary travel is not recommended at this time, as airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials may be experiencing delays or confusion in the early days of this change.
Please remember that policies may change at any time. International students planning to travel this semester should consult with the Office of International Services (IUB and regional campuses) or the Office of International Affairs (IU Indianapolis) before traveling.
Ensure that you will be able to travel back to the U.S. in time for any in-person class requirements
Check that your visa and other paperwork required to return to the U.S. are in order (appointment backlogs at U.S. embassies and consulates continue to be an issue)
Any oral or written request you receive should be referred to the Office of the Vice President & General Counsel and Office of the Registrar. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of information contained in student education records. Information from those records may be shared outside of the university only with the written consent of the student or if an exception to FERPA’s consent requirement applies (e.g., directory information, health and safety emergency). The Registrar’s Office is available to help guide you through issues regarding student records privacy and to respond to requests for student records. Faculty and staff should not, and have no responsibility to, provide information to a federal or state official requesting immediate information on a phone call or during an in-person visit.
On June 4, 2025, a U.S. Presidential Proclamation was issued that will result in travel restrictions for individuals from certain countries. Review the impact these restrictions may have on you.
On December 16, 2025, a subsequent Presidential Proclamation updated and expanded these restrictions. Additional details are available below in the Selected Executive Orders and Travel Restrictions section.
1. Full Restriction
There is a full restriction for the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
**Please see second section for countries with partial restrictions (Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela for people with B-1, B-2, F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 status)
Entry to the U.S. for nationals of these countries as immigrants and nonimmigrants is fully suspended as of June 9, 2025. The Fact Sheet provided by the Administration states that there are exceptions for lawful permanent residents, non-immigrants with valid visa stamps, and individuals whose entry services U.S. national interests. These provisions are applicable only to nationals from these countries who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa as of June 9, 2025. Individuals who are inside the United States on June 9, 2025, or who are outside the United States on that date but have a visa that is valid as of June 9, 2025, would likely not be subject to this restriction, though additional details are still emerging. The U.S. Department of State issued a statement on June 7, 2025, suspending new visa issuance to those impacted by the Proclamation.
If you are from one of these countries, and in the U.S., you can remain in the U.S. provided you maintain your current immigration status. We advise against travel outside of the U.S. at this time. You should continue to maintain your current immigration status and speak with your international student or scholar advisor with questions you have.
Information for all current students and scholars
If you are not presently in the U.S. and are from one of these countries, ensure that you have a valid visa stamp for the status you plan to seek when you return. If that visa stamp is valid as of June 9, 2025, the entry restriction may not apply to your situation.
Be sure to have all of your travel documents in good order before you seek entry to the U.S. and check this page for updates before your return.
Information for new students outside the U.S.
If this entry restriction is not lifted before your I-20’s program start date:
Undergraduate students:
Students who wish to defer their enrollment to another term should log into their Atlas account and request deferral no fewer than 10 business days prior to the start of the term.
For students enrolling at IUB, automatic scholarship awards, such as the Global Engagement Scholarship, will remain intact throughout the deferral process.Competitive scholarships are maintained at the discretion of the awarding academic unit. Please be in touch with the Office of Scholarships for additional information.
For students enrolling at IUI, automatic scholarship awards, such as the Jaguar Excellence Scholarship, will remain intact throughout the deferral process. Competitive scholarships are maintained at the discretion of the awarding academic unit. Please be in touch with the Office of International Affairs for additional information.
Students at other IU (IUE, IUK, IUS, IUN, IUSB, IUC, IUFW) campuses should be in touch with their respective Admissions Office for information regarding scholarship deferral.
Graduate students:
Connect with your graduate department regarding your options to defer your program of study, or to discuss the possibility of starting online from outside the U.S. Depending on where you live, there may be restrictions on your ability do this.
Information for newscholars outside the U.S.
If you are not presently in the U.S. and are from one of these countries, look to see if you have a valid visa stamp for the status you plan to seek when you enter the U.S. to begin your IU program. If that visa stamp is valid as of June 9, 2025, you may not be subject to this entry restriction.
If you are unable to enter the US to begin your IU program, contact your international services office (see below) and your host academic department for additionalguidance.
There are partial restrictions for 7 countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela for people with B-1, B-2, F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 status
Entry to the U.S. for nationals of these countries as immigrants and nonimmigrants (B-1, B-2, F-1, F-2, J-1 and J-2 status only) is suspended.
Information for all current F-1, F-2, J-1 and J-2 students and J-1 and J-2 scholars (including F-1 students on OPT)
If you are not presently in the U.S. and are from one of these countries, ensure that you have a valid visa stamp for the status you plan to seek when you return. If that visa stamp is valid as of June 9, 2025, you may not be subject to this entry restriction.
Be sure to have all of your travel documents in good order before you seek entry to the U.S., and check this page for updates before your return.
Information for new students outside the U.S.
If this entry restriction is not lifted before your I-20’s program start date:
Undergraduate students:
Students who wish to defer their enrollment to another term should log into their Atlas account and request deferral no fewer than 10 business days prior to the start of the term.
For students enrolling at IUB, automatic scholarship awards, such as the Global Engagement Scholarship, will remain intact throughout the deferral process. Competitive scholarships are maintained at the discretion of the awarding academic unit. Please be in touch with the Office of Scholarships for additional information.
For students enrolling at IUI, automatic scholarship awards, such as the Jaguar Excellence Scholarship, will remain intact throughout the deferral process. Competitive scholarships are maintained at the discretion of the awarding academic unit. Please be in touch with the Office of International Affairs for additional information.
Students at other IU campuses should be in touch with their respective Admissions Office for information regarding scholarship deferral.
Graduate students:
Connect with your graduate department regarding your options to defer your program of study, or to discuss the possibility of starting online from outside the U.S. Depending on where you live, there may be restrictions on your ability do this.
Information for new J-1 and J-2 scholars (and F-1 students on OPT)
If you are not presently in the U.S. and are from one of these countries, look to see if you have a valid visa stamp for the status you plan to seek when you enter the U.S. If that visa stamp is valid as of June 9, 2025, you may not be subject to this entry restriction.
If you are unable to enter the US to begin your IU program, contact your international services office (see below) and your host academic department for additional guidance.
If you are from one of these countries and in the U.S., we advise against travel outside of the U.S. at this time. You should continue to maintain your current immigration status, and speak with your international student or scholar advisor with questions as they arise.
***General information for U.S. permanent residents, naturalized and dual citizens
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have broad discretion and authority to question an individual regardless of country of origin or nationality, including an intensive review of social media activity and your personal devices. It is our understanding that naturalized citizens and legal permanent residents should not be directly affected by this order. Unnecessary travel is not recommended at this time, as airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials may be experiencing delays or confusion in the early days of this change.
Selected Executive Orders and Travel Restrictions
Proclamation 10949: “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” (From June 2025, updated December 2025)
The December 16, 2025 presidential proclamation expanded the travel restrictions that were first introduced in June 2025. It added seven new countries to the full travel ban list and expanded the partial ban list to include 15 additional countries. This expanded ban on visa issuance took effect January 1, 2026.
The full text of the fact sheet for this proclamation is available for review on the White House’s website here, and the updated information about the proclamation here.
Policy Memorandum 602-0192: “Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries”
This process may involve a potential interview (and a subsequent re-interview, if deemed necessary) to evaluate non-U.S. citizens’ eligibility for lawful eligibility to enter and remain in the United States.
The full text of the policy is available for review on the USCIS website under Policy Memorandum 602-0192.
The review and assessment will be individualized and conducted on a case-by-case basis, utilizing all relevant information and facts. USCIS will concurrently conduct a comprehensive review of all relevant policies.
On June 4, 2025, a list of the 19 affected countries was identified by Presidential Proclamation 10949, which can be found in the U.S. Federal Register of the National Archives.
Please find below updated guidance pertaining to the Executive Proclamation “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” (re: $100,000 H-1B visa fee) following clarifications by the federal governmental as of Monday, October 20, 2025.
H-1B (International Employee)
Employer is required to pay USCIS application fees: $460 application fee, $500 anti-fraud fee. Optional $2805 expedited processing fee.
H-1B Proclamation requiring the $100,000 fee applies in some but not all cases. The fee does not apply to:
Currently approved petitions
Beneficiaries of petitions filed prior to the proclamation, beneficiaries of currently approved petitions, or those in possession of a valid H1B non-immigrant visa
Petitions submitted prior to September 21, 2025
Petitions for amendment, change of status, or extension of stay for beneficiaries inside the US
The Proclamation requiring the $100,000 fee does apply to:
New H-1B applications filed on or after September 21, 2025 for those who are outside the U.S. and not already in possession of a current, valid H-1B
Denied requests for amendment, change of status or extension of stay filed on or after September 21, 2025 (i.e. those determined not to be in possession of valid nonimmigrant status, or have left the US before adjudication of petitions for amendment, change of status, or extension of stay)
Other non-immigrant visa options may be available for employment depending on a range of case-specific factors. IU Global scholar advising services remain available to provide guidance on the regulatory components of the international employee hiring processes.
Summary of Key Points:
International hires remain possible from a regulatory standpoint.
There remain other work visa options dependent on the individual case.
The proclamation does not restrict IU's ability to file H-1B petitions, but it does impact the filing of such petitions.
Please engage with IU Global scholar advising services as soon as possible for guidance regarding applicable non-immigrant work visa options.
Effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling visa interview appointments:
Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.
The US Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule that would end D/S and implement numerous other changes for F and J students and exchange visitors. As additional information is available, updates will be shared with the IU Global community.
The U.S. Department of State has reduced many new non-immigrant visa issuances for citizens of over 50 countries to 1- or 3-months and only a single entry, affecting common categories including student (F), exchange (J), work (H), and others. Non-immigrants from countries such as Nigeria (see example information from US Embassy below), Cameroon, Ethiopia, Cambodia, and others are impacted.
On May 28, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of State announced updated visa criteria for citizens of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong in the United States. This change in visa criteria applies to both new applications and current visa holders.
Pursuant to an executive order, a new alien registration requirement will go into effect on April 11, 2025, for all non-U.S. citizens aged 14 and older who are present in the United States for 30 or more days.
Please note that for most foreign nationals the registration requirement is already met by admission through a U.S. port of entry and the issuance of an admission record (Form I-94). Nevertheless, because failure to comply with this requirement is subject to penalty, it is important that you confirm your registration status, and that of any non-US citizen dependents and complete the new Form G-325R online if necessary. For detailed guidance, please visit the USCIS Alien Registration Requirements page.
On February 20, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem modified the existing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti. This amendment affects the registration period for new applicants, which now extends until August 3, 2025, to maintain protection under this status. Current and potential beneficiaries are advised to consult with a licensed immigration attorney to assess their eligibility and to explore their legal options.
On February 1, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem terminated the 2023 TPS designation for Venezuela. Beneficiaries of the 2021 Venezuela TPS designation will remain valid through September 10, 2025, after which another determination may be made. Current beneficiaries of TPS may wish to seek immigration counsel from a licensed immigration attorney to determine their options.
As the new White House administration transitions into office on January 20, 2025, some of you may have questions or concerns about potential changes to U.S. visa and immigration policies. IU Global closely monitors immigration and visa policies as well as any proposed changes that may impact the international students, scholars, employees, and dependents we serve on all campuses. This includes shifts in policy or regulatory changes proposed by federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, as well as executive actions or presidential proclamations made by the White House.
It is important to note that some policy changes can be implemented quickly, while others may take significant time to move through the regulatory process. IU Global consults with legal and immigration experts to analyze and understand any changes that arise.
Remember that immigration policies 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, you would want to plan your travel accordingly.
To keep the IU community informed, IU Global will update this page with any relevant changes and send direct communications when immediate updates are necessary. Additionally, forums or webinars may be scheduled to clarify specific changes impacting the international community. While we cannot predict future policy changes, we are committed to clarifying the implications of new regulations or policies and how they may affect you. To avoid misinformation, we will refrain from addressing pending legislation, speculative reports, or unverified information circulating in the media or on social platforms.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order requesting that a report be submitted to his administration within 60 days. Depending on the results of this report, travel to the United States for citizens of specific countries could be restricted or delayed.
IU Global will continue to monitor this executive action and communicate with affected populations should any travel restrictions be instated.
