Immigration Updates

If you are traveling outside of the U.S. soon or for the summer, please review the documents you will need to enter back into the U.S.

• Passport valid at least six months into the future upon entry
• Valid I-20 (F visa holders) or DS-2019 (J visa holders)
• Make sure the I-20 or DS-2019 is signed for travel and that it is also signed by you on the front page
• Valid (unexpired) visa in your passport is needed upon re-entry to the U.S.
• Students, print out your course schedule to show you are enrolled for the upcoming fall term
• Visiting scholars should take a letter from your OU faculty member that indicates your ongoing program of research

If you are seeking to renew your U.S. visa while outside the U.S., please check the U.S. Department of State visa wait time website. These wait times are not exact. They are an estimate. 

On 18 February 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced a change to the practice of waiving the interview requirement for people applying for visas to enter the United States. To be eligible for an interview waiver, visa applicants must: 

• have previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application.
• apply in their country of nationality or residence
• have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and have no apparent or potential ineligibility. 

This change will mean that wait times for visa appointments and processing may be much longer than expected. If you need to apply for a new visa, plan extra time for visa processing.  Not all U.S. embassies/consulates offer interview waivers. 

Currently, there are no travel restrictions (travel bans), although the current administration has set up a 60-day review process to identify countries that may be subject to a later travel ban. Based on that timeline, this review process ends around March 21. If any changes are announced, Global Engagement will update its information.

If you have any concerns as a student or scholar regarding travel outside of the United States or otherwise, please contact the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) at ISSO@oakland.edu.