FAQs for F-1 Students - International Affairs

Recent federal actions include:

• Expanded travel restrictions on entering the U.S. affecting nationals of certain countries.
• Increased scrutiny during visa processing.
• Extended USCIS processing times, additional review, or temporary pauses on most immigration benefit applications (including Optional Practical Training [OPT], STEM OPT and change-of-status applications).

These changes may impact the ability to meet intended employment start dates, securing continued work authorization and international travel. Policies are subject to change with little notification. Students should monitor official government sources regularly.

Some countries are under full restrictions, and others under partial restrictions affecting certain visa categories, including F‑1.

Examples of affected countries:

• Full restrictions: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
• Partial restrictions: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Resources to review full details:

• White House Presidential Proclamation
• U.S. Department of State Visa News
• National Association of Foreign Student Advisors Regulatory Information

Depending on your country of nationality and U.S. visa status, restrictions may impact:

• Visa issuance or renewal abroad.
• Entry or reentry to the U.S.
• OPT and Stem OPT application processing and start dates. 

Important: Consult our office before traveling internationally if you are from an affected country or have a pending OPT application.

Yes. USCIS processing times for OPT, STEM OPT and change-of-status applications are currently longer than usual. Some applications may undergo additional review or temporary pauses.

Employment cannot begin until:

• OPT is approved. Note that there is authorization to work for an additional 180 days if a STEM-OPT application is timely filed.
• You receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
• The authorized start date listed on your EAD has arrived.

To check current processing times, visit https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.

Within our advising role, we may provide:

• F‑1 status verification letters.
• Enrollment verification letters.
• Forms I-20 recommending Curricular Practical Training (CPT))/OPT.
• General information letters explaining federal processing timelines.

These letters can help employers understand delays or adjust employment start dates.

No. Our office cannot provide legal advice.

Students who may be affected are strongly encouraged to consult an experienced immigration attorney through:

• The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• Referrals from your embassy or community organizations

If you are:

• From a country listed in a travel restriction,
• Waiting for OPT approval, or
• Planning to use CPT or have other pending immigration applications.

Do not travel internationally without consulting our office first. Travel may result in denied entry or other complications while federal policies and processing procedures are changing.

• Check your university email regularly.
• Monitor official government websites for updates.
• Attend CPT/OPT information sessions hosted by our office.
• Schedule an advising appointment if you have questions or concerns.