US Government Updates

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We here in International Students and Scholars know that the changes in U.S. government administrations can cause a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety. Rest assured that the ISS Office remains committed to supporting the international student population here at Oklahoma State University. We are proud to welcome students from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

In the coming months, we will prepare to report and decipher presidential and government proclamations and policies, and implement any support services that might be needed for international students.

If you have any questions or concerns about the news items on this page, please contact our office at iss@okstate.edu.

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• Changes to U.S. Visa Reciprocity Schedules and What It Means for OSU International Students

  What it is:
  The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has recently revised the visa reciprocity schedules for over 50 countries. These changes significantly reduce the validity period and number of entries allowed for various non-immigrant visas, including student (F), exchange visitor (J), business/tourism (B), temporary worker (H), and extraordinary ability (O) visas.
  
  

  Who it affects:
  This change affects international students, scholars, faculty, staff, and departments at Oklahoma State University, as well as foreign nationals from around 50 countries. Affected countries include China, Nigeria, Iran, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Angola, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Cuba, Syria, Libya, Somalia, and several others across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
  
  

  When:
  The revised visa policies are effective immediately.
  
  

  What has changed:

  • Many non-immigrant visas are now issued with a validity period of only 3 months.

  • Most visas under this policy are limited to a single entry, requiring travelers to apply for a new visa each time they seek to re-enter the U.S.

  • Previously, many of these visas allowed multiple entries with validity periods of up to 12 months or more.

  Note:
  Visas previously issued retain their original validity and are not affected by these changes.

  
  Full details here

• Travel Information

  The ISS office has compiled the following information so students can be informed while planning international travel. It is important that you assess your individual situation and evaluate possible risks when making travel plans in the middle of your academic activities. If you do plan to travel internationally, please remain aware of any updates to the International Travel Advisory web page here.
  
  

  Please contact our office at iss@okstate.edu for any questions or to schedule an advising appointment with your DSO.
  
  

  You can find the list of required and recommended travel documents below for your convenience:
  
  Full details here

• Information regarding F1 Visas and SEVIS
  Visa revocation and SEVIS termination :
  
  

  • What does it mean: 

    Visa revocation: This means that your visa (that has been stamped in your passport) is no longer valid for re-entry into the US.
    
    

  • How would the student be notified?: 

    Typically, after a student’s visa has been revoked, they receive an email from the US consulate who issued the student’s visa to the email address that they provided during the visa interview (not necessarily their OSU email).
    
    

  • Why does it happen :

    Unfortunately, we cannot know for sure. The reason for termination varies vastly. The common reasons for termination include:
    
    

  Full details here

• Alien Registration Requirement | USCIS
  • What it is: New USCIS guidance requires young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to "re-register" with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday.
  • Who it affects: F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14. 
  • When: With 30 days of reaching their 14th birthday

   

  Full details here

• Vacatur of 2025 Temporary Protected Status Decision for Venezuela 
  • What it is:  Vacatur of the Jan. 17, 2025, notice that extended a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela. 
  • Who it affects:  Citizens of Venezuela who are current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status and are in the U.S.
  • When: The vacatur is effective immediately.

   

  Full details here

• Sudan citizen TPS extention
  • What it is: Extension of status designation of Temporary Protected Status for citizens of Sudan for 18 months
  • Who it affects: Citizens of Sudan who are current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status and are in the U.S.
  • When: April 20, 2025 through October 19, 2026

  Full details here

• Ukranian citizens TPS extention
  • What it is: Extension of status designation of Temporary Protected Status for citizens of Ukraine for 18 months
  • Who it affects: Citizens of Ukraine who are current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status and are in the U.S.
  • When: April 20, 2025 through October 19, 2026

  Full details here

• Vacatur of 2024 Temporary Protected Status Decision for Haiti
  • What it is: Vacatur of the June 4, 2024, notice that extended a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti.
  • Who it affects:  Citizens of Haiti who are current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status and are in the U.S.
  • When:  The vacatur is effective immediately.

  Full details here

• Department of State Visa Interview Waiver Update
  • What it is: The Department of State has updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview.
  • Who it affects: Applicants for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa who previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application
  • When: February 18, 2025

  Full details here

• Visa Bond Pilot Program
  • What it is: A pilot program requiring citizens of specific countries to secure a bond before they can be issued a visitor B1/B2 visa.
  • Who it affects: Citizens of Malawi or Zambia who wish to enter the U.S. on a B1/B2.
  • When: The bond pilot goes into effect on August 20th, 2025.

  Full details here

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Legal Advising

The ISS can provide general immigration information, but we are not able to provide specific legal advice. Our obligation to OSU’s F-1 and J-1 students and scholars is to interpret the regulations as best as we can when presented with a specific set of facts. Students are welcome to contact an immigration attorney for specific legal advice.

 

Finding an Attorney

 

The OSU Student Government Association provides free legal services to faculty, staff, and students during the fall and spring semesters. Should you need to contact the attorney, please email sga@okstate.edu with 'Attorney' in the subject line

For assistance finding an Immigration Attorney in your area who may speak your native language please visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) website.