In recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken actions resulting in visa revocations and SEVIS terminations for certain international students. Reports suggest these actions may be connected to political activity related to the Israel/Gaza conflict, past legal issues (such as arrests or convictions involving alcohol, drugs, or domestic violence), and/or previous visa infractions.
On February 01, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the 2023 designation for Venezuela, where benefits associated with the 2023 desingation will end on April 07, 2025. For additional information on this termination, please refer to the Federal Register Notice.
On November 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a Federal Register Notice, announcing a suspension on certain F-1 student regulations for F-1 students from Lebanon who are experiencing severe economic hardship. Specifically, "employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while maintaining their F-1 nonimmigrant student status," (Federal Register, 2024).
As Spring 2025 registration approaches, the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) team would like to remind international students at the University of Utah about full-time enrollment requirements and share important updates to the Reduced Course Load (RCL) policy.
With the Post-Optional Practical Training (OPT) application window now open for most Spring 2024 graduates, we wanted to bring to your attention recent news from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new fee increases that will go into effect April 1, 2024. Any applications submitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2024, will need to include the new fee amounts or they will not be accepted by USCIS.