Immigration News & Announcements

Page Updated August 11, 2026

Please know that Suffolk University is actively exploring every possible way to support and accommodate impacted students. At the same time, we must carefully review and follow all federal immigration regulations as they are implemented. While some decisions may be beyond the university’s control, our goal is to provide you with the most accurate information and resources to help you navigate this evolving situation.

We are here for you, and we encourage you to stay in close contact with our office for updates, guidance, and personal support. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Viviana Leyva directly via email or the International Student Services Office.

DHS Final Rule Affecting F-1 Students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a Final Rule that changes how F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and certain other nonimmigrants are admitted and maintain status in the United States. The rule is scheduled to become effective on September 15, 2026.

The International Student Services Office is closely monitoring these changes and will continue to update this FAQ as additional guidance becomes available.

The biggest change is that F-1 students will no longer be admitted for Duration of Status (D/S).

Instead, students will receive a fixed period of admission with a specific expiration date on their Form I-94.

Students who need additional time to remain in the U.S. beyond that date may need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The Final Rule is scheduled to become effective on September 15, 2026.

Until then, current immigration regulations remain in effect.

The rule affects:

  • F-1 students
  • F-2 dependents
  • J-1 exchange visitors
  • J-2 dependents
  • Certain I visa holders

No. There is no immediate action required at this time.

Continue following all current F-1 regulations until the new rule becomes effective.

Under current regulations, most F-1 students are admitted for Duration of Status, meaning they may remain in the U.S. as long as they:

  • Maintain full-time enrollment
  • Follow F-1 regulations
  • Complete their academic program
  • Participate in authorized practical training when eligible

Instead of being admitted for D/S, students will receive an admission period with a specific expiration date.

If you need to remain in the United States beyond that date, you may need to request an Extension of Stay from USCIS before your authorized stay expires.

No. The Form I-20 will continue to be issued by your school.

However, under the new rule, the I-20 alone may no longer determine how long you are authorized to remain in the United States. Your Form I-94 admission record will become increasingly important.

Yes.

All current F-1 requirements continue to apply, including:

  • Full-time enrollment
  • Maintaining a valid passport
  • Reporting address changes
  • Following employment regulations
  • Maintaining a valid I-20

If your authorized admission period expires before you complete your program, you may need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS. There is no guarantee that an EOS will be granted.

We recommend constant contact with your program/academic advisor to verify that you are graduating in time.

The International Student Services Office will advise students if, and when, this becomes necessary.

No. The Final Rule does not eliminate OPT or STEM OPT.

Students who qualify may continue applying under current eligibility requirements unless DHS announces future changes.

Possibly.

The Final Rule includes special transition provisions for students applying for:

  • Post-Completion OPT
  • STEM OPT Extension

The International Student Services Office will provide detailed guidance for students applying for employment authorization.

Yes. The Final Rule reduces the grace period after program or OPT completion from 60 days to 30 days.

Travel rules may become more important because admission will be tied to a fixed admission period.

Before making international travel plans, students should always consult the International Student Services Office.

Yes. The Final Rule includes additional restrictions for graduate students regarding:

  • Transfers
  • Changes of educational objective
  • Certain program changes

Graduate students should consult the International Student Services Office before making academic changes.

Yes. The Final Rule generally limits English language training programs to 24 months of study.

Possibly. The Final Rule authorizes USCIS to collect biometric information for certain immigration applications, including some Extension of Stay requests.

No. The rule changes how long you are admitted to remain in the United States, not the validity of your visa stamp.

Your visa is still used to request entry into the United States.

We recommend paying careful attention to your graduation time and your I-20. Connect with your program/academic advisor to verify that you are graduating in time. If you will need extra time to complete your program, please connect as early as possible with The International Office to review your case.

The International Student Services Office will review DHS implementation guidance and provide instructions if an Extension of Stay becomes necessary for your situation.

Students should not submit applications unless advised to do so.

The International Student Services Office will continue providing updates through:

  • Email announcements
  • Our website
  • Workshops and information sessions
  • Individual advising appointments

Important Note

  • No action is required right now
  • The rule is expected to become effective on September 15, 2026
  • Students should continue following current F-1 regulations until then
  • The International Student Services Office will provide additional guidance before implementation
  • Students should monitor their university email regularly for updates



Additional Guidance

  • Maintaining Status: Students must continue to maintain full-time enrollment, keep immigration documents current, update address changes within required timelines, work only with proper employment authorization, maintain required health insurance, and carry proper travel documents when returning to the U.S.
  • Program Extensions: Students who cannot complete their program by the I-20/DS-2019 end date should request a program extension before the current end date through their school's international office.
  • Transfers: Students transferring to another U.S. institution should complete a SEVIS transfer before beginning the new program.
  • Travel: Students should travel with a valid passport, visa (if required), current I-20/DS-2019 with a travel signature, and EAD if on OPT/STEM OPT.
  • Purpose: These items remain important compliance requirements regardless of the new DHS fixed-period admission rule and complement the FAQ.

Questions?

If you have questions about how this rule may affect your individual situation, please contact the International Student Services Office via email or schedule an advising appointment.


On December 16th, an updated immigration proclamation was issued by the U.S. government that limits visa issuance and travel to the United States. We encourage you to read the White House's Proclamation of December 16, 2025 to understand the basis, scope, and exceptions of these bans, as well as their potential impact on your immigration status.

These restrictions apply only to individuals outside the U.S. without a valid visa on the effective date of this proclamation. If you are a citizen of one of the affected countries but have a valid visa issued on or before January 1, 2026, you should be permitted to travel.

  • Full Ban (all immigrants and nonimmigrants):
    Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria
  • Partial Ban (all immigrants and B, F, M, J nonimmigrants):
    Burundi, Cuba, Togo, Venezuela, Turkmenistan (only immigrants), Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Specific details may change over the coming days, weeks, and months, and U.S. consular and immigration officers have a good deal of individual discretion. However, we've provided a general overview of certain aspects based on the wording of the Executive Order and currently-available information.

  • Consult with the International Student Office
    If you are from one of the affected countries or have concerns about your travel plans, please contact our office immediately via email. You may also choose to consult with an immigration attorney
  • Stay Informed
    Monitor official government sources for updates on the implementation of these restrictions
  • Review Your Travel Documents
    Ensure that all your travel documents are up to date and valid

Visa Appointment Services for International Students

What You Need to Know

We are excited to share that U.S. visa appointment services for international students have officially resumed. If you are planning to begin or continue your studies in the United States, this is the time to schedule your visa interview.

Visa appointment slots are expected to fill up quickly due to high demand. We encourage all students to check the website of their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updated appointment availability and application procedures.

We strongly recommend that you book the earliest appointment possible, even if it is after the start of the semester. Once you have an appointment, you can contact the embassy to ask for an expedited appointment. You may contact ISSO if you have questions about how to request an expedited appointment.

If you have not done so, please complete and submit the DS-160 as soon as possible. Submitting your DS-160 has become crucial, so please fill it out and submit it before scheduling your visa interview.

Make sure you have all necessary documents prepared in advance, including:

  • A valid passport
  • Your I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students)
  • SEVIS fee payment receipt
  • Financial documents
  • Other supporting materials required by your local embassy or consulate

As part of the updated visa application process, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) now requires applicants to disclose social media identifiers from the past five years. This applies to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others.

The policy was introduced under the Presidential Proclamation 9645 and further implemented by the U.S. Department of State to enhance security screening.

What does this mean for you?

  • You will be asked to list your social media usernames during the visa application process (Form DS-160)
  • You are not required to provide passwords—only your publicly used handles or identifiers
  • Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information can lead to delays or denial of your visa application

You can read more about these requirements directly on the U.S. Department of State website.

To help expedite the visa process outlined in the DoS statement, consider adjusting the privacy settings on all your social media profiles to “public.”

You should evaluate your risk regarding your social media presence and digital footprint to determine what, if any, action you should take before applying for a visa.

If you are seriously concerned about your social media or internet presence, and whether there are any risks in making systematic deletions to a social media account, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney. We will continue to share any guidance as we learn more from students who have gone through the social media review.

Students who are outside of the U.S. without a valid visa may experience delays in visa processing times. If you are a current student and need to renew your visa or if you are a new student applying for your first visa, please note that you may be delayed in your arrival to the U.S. It is important to stay in touch with us to keep us updated on your visa process and arrival plans.

If you are a current or incoming student or scholar from one of the nineteen countries that were included in the total or partial travel ban based on the June 4th presidential proclamation, and you do not have a valid visa, then there is a good chance that you will not be able to obtain a visa, despite the resumption of visa interview scheduling.  Please feel free to contact us if you find yourself in this situation. If you are outside of the U.S. but you do have a valid visa, you are allowed to enter the United States.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will update with any new information. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.

We are Here to Support You

We understand that the visa process can feel complicated, especially with new requirements. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates with any new information.

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us: