Student Visa Status Changes-Support and Resources

The federal government relies on annual appropriation bills passed by Congress to fund its operations. When Congress fails to enact these bills on time, federal agencies face a funding shortfall, triggering a government shutdown.

During such shutdowns, immigration agencies may significantly scale back their services or suspend them altogether, leaving the public with limited or no access to critical immigration support.

Students should be aware of possible extra delays in processing in the following services, but not limited to:

• New and renewal of visa processing
• Travel within and outside the U.S.
• USCIS benefits adjudication (OPT, STEM OPT, Change of Status...)
• Social Security Number Application

 

Social Security Number Application

Students have been reporting delays in setting up appointments with the Social Security Administration Office and receiving their SSNs.

If approved for employment, students can start working without an SSN. Review the International Student and Social Security Number guidelines created by the Social Security Administration Office and coordinate with your employer's HR department. While waiting for an SSN, employers can use a letter from the Social Security Administration Office stating that the student has applied for a number. Employers can find more information at www.ssa.gov/employer/hiring.htm.

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What is an H1-B Visa?

The H1-B visa was created to support employers in finding international workers with highly specialized skills, abilities, and knowledge for a specialty occupation. Employers must prove that such skills and abilities cannot be found in the U.S. workforce.

 

What is this Presidential Proclamation about?

Starting on 09/21/25, the new "Presidential Proclamation" requires a payment of a supplemental fee of $100K to all new H-1B applications. The sponsor employers are the payers for this fee and not the student. 

This fee does not apply to those who already have an H1-B visa application pending, and those, in the future, who are selected in the H1B lottery and apply for a change of status without leaving the U.S.

Does the Presidential Proclamation affect SDSU International Students?

In general, SDSU does not sponsor H1-B visa applications for any job position.

While the ISC does not advise on H1-B visa matters, international students who are currently under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT Extension period, in the process of applying or are planning to apply for an H1B visa, and are outside the U.S., could be affected. 

We recommend that students seek legal counsel for further guidance.

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In summary, the proposed DHS rule would replace the current “Duration of Status” with a Fixed Admission Period not exceeding 4 years, plus a period of 30 days following a student's program end date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019. This proposal also aims to reduce the 60-day grace period to leave the USA upon graduation and/or the end of (OPT & STEM OPT) employment to a 30-day grace period for F-1 visa holders. Per the proposal, graduate students would also not be allowed to change educational objectives (move up to the next higher degree level) or transfer to another university without an explanation to USCIS of why that is necessary.

This proposal has a large scope of changes beyond the ones listed above. For a full assessment of this proposal, check the NAFSA “DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status” Webpage.

 

What is Duration of Status (D/S) 

When an international student arrives at a U.S. port of entry, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will assess the student’s eligibility for admission and determine the authorized length of stay. In accordance with standard regulations, students holding F-1 or J-1 visas are typically admitted under the designation “Duration of Status” (D/S). This status permits them to remain in the United States for the full length of their approved academic program, as specified in their Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students), both of which are issued by their academic institution.

 

How does it affect international students?

If students are admitted for a fixed period, they would not be permitted to extend their current program, unless they submit a formal I-539 application through USCIS and pay the associated fee before the expiration date listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019. Other implications may include:

Application submissions through USCIS can take months for approvals, and fees are expensive.
It will increase students’ confusion about the regulation, leading to possible higher legal student liability.
It will limit the students’ educational choices.
Students in PHD programs will not be able to complete their program within the approved fixed dates.
Students will not be able to apply for Post-Completion Practical Training or Post-Completion Academic Training.
Students will not be able to move to a higher level of study.

NAFSA created an in-depth assessment of the Duration of Status proposal, read here.

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Some students applying for new visas or visa renewals will face delays in visa processing due to “further administrative processing”. After a visa interview, when necessary, visa applications will undergo additional security scrutiny and clearance outside of the normal visa processing times. This process might take days. weeks, and in some cases months, since several U.S. Government agencies might review the application before a visa decision is rendered.

Some students might be noted for a “soft denial” - visa refusal note “221(g)”. However, this is just a temporary hold while consulars investigate the student’s history further. A visa application could be approved after the administrative processing.

 

Who is subject to “administrative processing”?

Anyone applying for a visa. The selection process will take into consideration the following factors, but not limited to:

• Country of citizenship;
• Field or study, or scope of research.
• Previous immigration status in the USA
• Previous visa denials
• Criminal activities
• Previous overstay
• Very common first and last names combination
• Drug abuse record
• Social Media Vetting

 

What should the student do if they are subject to administrative processing?

Read the letter attentively, since students might be requested to complete other requirements. If no further information is given, students should call the U.S. Embassy or the Consulate directly.  Students can also check their visa status at the Department of State website.  

Visa applications submitted to “administrative processing” are almost impossible to request expedited pro

To avoid further delays, read this helpful article created by NAFSA: “10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa”. 

 

Visa Application interview in the student's home country only.

 

Students seeking new F, J, or M visas, or renewing existing ones, should schedule their visa interviews at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality. While applying in a third country was previously allowed, it was never a recommended option.

Effective immediately, the Department of State has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling interviews at their country of Nationality or residence. 

Nationals of countries where the U.S. does not conduct non-immigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate.

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During the Visa Application

On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced enhanced visa screening and vetting procedures for students applying for visas and seeking entry into the United States. The new guidance requires a comprehensive review of the online presence of all individuals applying for F, J, and M non-immigrant visa categories.

Students have been asked to list all social media presence in the DS-160 application and to change their social media privacy settings to public prior to visa interviews.  All F, J, & M non-immigrant visa applicants will be placed in temporary administrative processing hold, viewed as a “soft refusal” under section 221 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) while additional screening is conducted. This may lead to days or weeks of delays in visa approvals.

 

At the Port-of-Entry

On some rare occasions, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may search students’ cell phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and other electronic devices during the inspection process. 

 

What is the immigration officer looking for when checking students’ electronic devices?

• Derogatory behaviors
• Picture of people involved in possible illegal activities (or questionable behavior)
• Anti-American sentiment
• Anti-Semitism comments and behaviors
• Anti-american policies
• Anti-semitic activity

 

Advising Tips:

• Applicants must list all social media accounts on the DS-160 and set their accounts to public before their interview. 

• Students should consider completing a new DS-160 form if they did not list all social media accounts in their previous submission.

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No action is required with regard to the Alien Registration Requirement for International Students. Per USCIS guidance, aliens who have already registered include:

Students admitted to the United States as non-immigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired

All students present in the United States who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival.

 For comprehensive information, you may visit the USCIS website linked here.

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Due to enhanced immigration enforcement led by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, current students under the F-1 non-immigrant visa status had their SEVIS and Visa records reviewed. There were reports of Visas being revoked, and in most instances, the students were informed of the revocation by the Department of State or by the students’ local American Embassy and Consulates. However, in rare instances, students only discovered the revocation when attempting to re-enter the United States.

Visa revocation means that the previously issued visa is no longer valid for entry or reentry in the USA. Students would have to apply for a new visa. The visa itself does not determine the student’s status in the US, but in some circumstances, it could lead to SEVIS termination.

Generally, students who are currently in the USA and have had their visa revoked do not need to leave the country, as long as they are able to maintain their F-1 legal status with their I-20.

SEVIS termination indicates that a student’s legal status in the United States has ended, requiring them to make immediate plans to depart the country. This action may result from a violation of F-1 status, such as failure to maintain full-time enrollment, failure to report employment in a timely manner, or potential involvement in criminal activity. Students currently approved for OPT or STEM OPT Extension will lose their work authorization and must cease employment immediately.

Please note, the ISC does not have access to students’ visa status, nor are we informed of visa revocations. However, we can determine a student’s eligibility to stay in the USA by checking their SEVIS status. The ISC checks all students’ SEVIS records daily and is alerted to any SEVIS record terminations. If a SEVIS record is terminated, we will inform the respective student immediately. 

Students who have been notified of a visa revocation should do the following: 

• Forward the email or mail notification to the Director of the ISC, Ricky Paniagua: [email protected]. We will review the notification and guide you through the process and best practices.

• Seek Legal Counsel experienced in immigration matters to understand the implications of the status change and explore potential remedies. A list of immigration attorneys can be found here. Please note that you will be responsible for any legal fees accrued.
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Based on the Presidential Proclamation on “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other National Security and Public Safety Threats”, effective on June 9th, 2025, the Department of State has fully suspended the issuance of new visas for the following nationals:

• Afghanistan
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

And a partial suspension of visa issuance for non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas for nationals of the following countries:

• Burundi
• Cuba
• Laos
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela 

For exceptions and details about the suspension of Visa Issuance, please click here.

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