Immigration Information

While transitioning from the Spring semester, we understand there may be uncertainty around international travel.  This email provides important considerations to keep in mind as you consider and/or plan your international travel and return to OHIO.

As of today, we have not received any official guidance from the U.S. government prohibiting travel for citizens from any specific country or region. If new guidance is published, we will share it with you as soon as possible.  

Remember that you can remain in the U.S. with an expired visa stamp, as long as you continue to  maintain your F-1 status .  Unless international travel is essential, you may wish to consider remaining in the United States. We understand that remaining in the United States may cause some hardships, such as missing your family members at home, or it may be an unexpected expense. However, if you have concerns about traveling, staying within the U.S. may be the best way to relieve those worries.

If your visa stamp in your passport is valid (has not expired, or will not expire while you are outside the U.S.) please be sure that you carry the documents listed on our website: 

F-1 Students:  https://www.ohio.edu/international-student-scholar-services/current-students/f1-travel

J-1 Students and Scholars:  https://www.ohio.edu/international-student-scholar-services/current-students/j1-travel

Reminder: If you need a travel signature on your document, please request it through your iCats account at least two weeks prior to departure from the U.S. 

If your visa stamp has expired, or will be expiring before you return to the U.S.

In addition to the recommendations and reminders above, you will need to apply for a new visa from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy outside of the U.S. Visa renewals cannot be done from within the U.S. Please note that visa processing delays are present worldwide. You should carefully consider this when you make your travel plans. If your visa is denied or delayed unexpectedly, it could negatively impact your ability to return and resume your program of study. 

Important travel reminders:

Please note that any entry into the United States is always at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The CBP officers also have the authority to search your belongings,  including mobile devices . This is not a new procedure for the CBP, but it may be a process that travelers encounter more frequently going forward. 

We realize that it is incredibly frustrating to have very few definitive clarifications about travelling. If new information becomes available to us, we will share it with you. Be reminded that there are support services on campus for you as well, such as the  Cats’ Cupboard Food Pantry ,  Counseling , and of course,  our team in ISSS . 

You are deeply valued on our campus and in our community, and we look forward to supporting you the best we can. 

Sincerely,  ISSS 

Good afternoon,

We are writing to you because you have been identified as someone who has one or more children listed as a dependent in your immigration record.  

Effective April 11, 2025, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services released guidance regarding the new Alien Registration Requirement.

Individuals in non-immigrant categories such as F-1 and J-1, and their dependents who entered the U.S. at age 14 or older are automatically registered upon arrival. No additional steps are required, and the I-94 arrival record serves as proof of registration. This document should be printed and retained as evidence of compliance.

However, non-immigrant dependent children (F-2 and J-2) who turn 14 while residing in the U.S. are now required to register or re-register within 30 days of their 14th birthday under this new DHS policy. Please take time to review the updated registration process, which is available via  Form G-325R . We encourage you to retain all receipts and approvals you are issued during the process, and copies should be kept with your other immigration paperwork.  

This is a newly released process, but our office will do the best we can to answer any questions you may have.  

Sincerely,

ISSS 

Know Your Rights

In recent days, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and University leadership have been monitoring numerous developments at the federal level, including recent actions by government authorities to either revoke or terminate the visa statuses of a number of international students at universities across the nation.

These actions have understandably prompted a number of questions across our University community, and we want our international students, faculty and staff to know that we remain committed to providing resources and outlets for support as this situation continues to progress. The ISSS office has already provided a similar update to students and scholars on F or J visas.

Understanding the potential impacts of a visa revocation or a termination of status

First and foremost, it is important to understand the difference between a visa stamp being revoked and a visa status being terminated. Our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team has provided some guidance below, which pertains to F and J visa holders only.

Visa Stamp:A visa stamp in the passport allows F or J visa holders to request entry into the U.S. If it’s revoked while they are in the country, no immediate action is needed unless advised by ISSS, an immigration attorney, or a U.S. government official. F and J visa holders are admitted under Duration of Status (D/S), meaning they can stay in the U.S. as long as they maintain their status, even if the visa stamp expires or is revoked.

Visa Status:Visa status refers to the purpose of a person’s stay in the U.S. and the regulations tied to their visa type, like F or J. After entering the U.S., individuals are responsible for following all regulations for their visa. ISSS provides guidance before arrival and semesterly reminders; however, maintaining this status is the visa holder’s responsibility.

Navigating potential impacts across our OHIO community

Although we are unable to share details regarding individual student experiences due to privacy concerns, we can share that the ISSS office has been in communication with any students who have been impacted by any changes to their visa status to provide appropriate information and support. Additionally, ISSS is designated to access the SEVIS system, which is the online government database housing F and J visa records, and we will continue to monitor it daily for potential changes.

More broadly, we recognize the reality that the evolving federal and state legal landscape might be creating concern amongst some within our international student community, and we encourage them to connect with our ISSS team and/or the various University resources that stand ready to help answer their questions, offer individual support and provide details regarding various opportunities for assistance that are available based on their specific needs. While OHIO faculty and staff are encouraged to continue to serve as a vital connecting point for academic support; we highly encourage all employees to refer students in need of immigration guidance directly to ISSS. ISSS advisers are trained and in the best position to provide accurate and timely advice.

The ISSS team and University leadership will continue to monitor further developments in the days and weeks ahead, and we will continue to provide important immigration information while helping the University community navigate evolving discussions at the state and federal levels. More importantly, we will continue to remain focused on our collective mission and values while further fostering a welcoming campus where all students can thrive.

Link to OHIO News Post: https://www.ohio.edu/news/2025/04/ohio-provides-immigration-update-remi…

As a reminder, Ohio University’s Spring Semester begins January 13, 2025. Students are expected by the U.S. government to return prior to that date to fulfill in-person course requirements. If you are unable to return prior to the start of classes, we recommend that you return to the U.S. prior to January 20, 2025, as we are uncertain of potential changes to U.S. immigration policies.

Carry Essential Documents: Upon entering the United States (U.S.), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) may ask for evidence of your reason for returning to the U.S. To be prepared, make sure you carry all your documents:

• Valid passport (validity 6 months into the future, especially when requesting entry into the U.S.)
• Valid visa stamp (Canadians exempted)
• I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature
  • Validity for student and scholars is 12 months from the date of signature from ISSS
  • Exception: validity for F-1 students on OPT is 6 months from the date of signature from ISSS
• Students: Proof of enrollment ( https://www.ohio.edu/registrar/enrollment-degree-verification )
• Students: Proof of funding for one academic year
• Scholars: Letter from host department confirming continued employment/fellowship

At the border of the United States, USCBP makes the final determination to admit any individual into the country.

Need to apply for a new visa stamp? Before leaving the U.S., make sure you have a confirmed visa appointment.

Note: This information does not include immigration advice for any individual. If you have specific questions, please contact ISSS using the below information.

We appreciate your patience as we will answer questions as they arrive.

International Student and Scholar Services    
Email: isss@ohio.edu
Phone: 740-593-4330  

For Ohio University international faculty and staff , please contact the Office of Legal Affairs at patterson@ohio.edu or (740) 597-1774. You may also visit the Office of Legal Affairs website regarding essential travel information for H-1B and H-4 dependent visa holders. 

• One original form of photo ID (issued from the state or from Ohio University).
• Color photocopy of your passport ID page.
• Printed copy of your immigration paperwork
  • F-1/F-2: I-20
  • J-1/J-2: DS 2019
• Printed I-94 record (You can download your latest I-94 from the I-94 lookup webpage -- https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home )

• One original form of photo ID (issued from the state or from Ohio University).
• Color photocopy of your passport ID page.
• Original, valid Form I-797 Notice of Approval of H-1B employment

If you are an H1B visa holder sponsored by Ohio Unviersity and have further questions, please contact Erin Patterson ( patterson@ohio.edu ) in Legal Affairs. 

• Color copy of Passport Bio Page
• Copy of Current I-94

• Color copy of Passport Bio Page
• Copy of Current I-94
• Blanket L-1 status holders should also have a copy of their endorsed Form I-129S

• Color copy of Passport Bio Page
• Copy of relevant status documents

• Valid US permanent resident card

• One original form of photo ID (e.g., foreign ID or color photocopy of your passport ID page)
• I-797C receipt notice