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| Dear Colleagues, Please find below the second bulletin update from the Division of Global Engagement’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) on federal rule changes that impact our international and non-US citizen community. Our team continues to monitor a fluid landscape of federal rule changes and proposed new measures (high level overview just below). While barriers continue to rise at the federal level, the University of Oregon remains committed to welcoming international students, faculty, and staff, deepening global partnerships, and opening opportunities for our students around the world. If this is a winter for global engagement, a spring certainly lies ahead, for which we are intensively preparing. As always, please feel free to share this bulletin widely and please be in touch if you have any questions or would like to suggest topics for future newsletters.
Sincerely, Dennis Galvan
Dean and Vice Provost, Division of Global Engagement
Overview of Topics in This Newsletter: New Travel Ban (Effective Jan. 1, 2026):
Restricts US entry for individuals from specified countries who are abroad without a valid US visa. Most current UO international students/scholars already in the US remain unaffected. Department of State Halts Processing of Immigrant Visas: Affecting nationals of 75 countries, this action is not expected to impact many of our UO students and scholar nonimmigrant visas. Proposed Rule Change to F/J Visa Duration:
Would eliminate “Duration of Status (D/S)” and replace with fixed periods requiring USCIS extensions. Could restrict transfers and graduate program changes; not yet final. Hiring International Faculty – Key Tips:
Keep qualifications measurable, retain full recruitment records, and notify ISSS early when extending offers to international candidates due to permanent residency sponsorship requirements. Action Required When Moving:
International students/scholars must update US addresses within 10 days of moving. Know Your Rights Video:
The Office of the Dean of Students hosted a ‘Know Your Rights’ Webinar, video available with UO login. Upcoming Support Events:
Federal Updates Forum – Wed. Feb. 11, 12:00–1:00 p.m. (Knight Browsing Room and Microsoft Teams)
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| | Travel Ban Impacting International Student and Scholars:
An updated travel ban took effect January 1, restricting entry to the US of people who: Are citizens of certain countries or traveling on Palestinian Authority documents, and Are outside the US on or after January 1, 2026, and Do not already have a valid US visa
Most of UO's international students and scholars who are currently in the US and maintaining a valid status can continue their studies or work as usual.
Full Ban Countries (bars entry by anyone with a passport from these countries): Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen as well as individuals traveling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority
Partial Ban Countries (bars entry by anyone with a passport from these countries traveling on a student or visitor visa (B, F or J): Angola, Antigua, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Nationals of Turkmenistan may continue to enter the US on temporary nonimmigrant visas (such as F or J), but they are suspended from permanently immigrating to the US.
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) has contacted affected individuals and will continue to share updates as federal guidance becomes available. |
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| | Department of State Not Processing Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries
Effective January 21, 2026, the State Department stopped processing immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries (listed below).
This action is not expected to impact nonimmigrant visas such as F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, or O-1 for students or scholars coming from countries that are not subject to a current travel ban.
Foreign nationals of the following countries will be affected by this pause:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. |
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| | Proposed Elimination of Duration of Status (D/S)
Currently, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are admitted to the US under ‘duration of status’ which does not have a fixed end date. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), as the visa sponsor, independently monitors and manages students’ and visiting scholars’ legal status and has the authority to shorten or extend their status based on the requirements of their academic program. The proposed rule change would eliminate ‘duration of status’ and replace it with a fixed period of time - only until the program end date on their SEVIS document, and not to exceed four years. If approved, this change would require students and exchange visitors who need more time to complete their program to submit a formal ‘extension of stay’ with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a federal agency already mired in processing backlogs. The proposed rule change would also require ISSS to modify the SEVIS records for current F students and J exchange visitors to a maximum of four years, potentially impacting current PhD students. Furthermore, the proposed rule change would prohibit F students in a graduate-level program from changing educational objectives or transferring from either programs or institutions within the United States. Key impacts:Is this rule-change final?
Not yet. For the moment, this is a proposed rule and not yet in effect but we are expecting a final rule change announcement at any time. |
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| | Helpful Tips for Successful Searches: Hiring International Candidates
As we enter the spring hiring season, keep in mind the following tips to make your search for teaching positions (TTF, Career Instructors) inclusive of international candidates and their future sponsorship for permanent residency: 1. Keep job qualifications simple and measurable. Specify what degree is required. Quantify experience requirements (list number of months or years of experience, avoid requirements that aren’t easily quantified). Limit preferred qualifications.
Reason: International faculty must provide evidence of meeting ALL minimum AND preferred qualifications when applying for permanent residency
2. Keep good records of recruitment a. Use JobElephant to track job postings across platforms b. Use MyTrack for the recruitment process
Reason: When sponsoring international faculty for permanent residency, we must provide evidence of ALL job posting dates and locations; we also must retain all application materials from other candidates in the search for 5 years to comply with US Department of Labor regulations, in case of audit. Using these tools make compliance easier to track and manage.
3. Notify info@uoregon.College as soon as an offer letter is issued to an international candidate
Reason: When sponsoring international faculty for permanent residency, certain actions need to be taken within the first 18 months of when the initial contract is issued, regardless of the employment start date. Notifying ISSS early supports a smooth transition to visa sponsorship and permanent residency. |
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| | US Address Requirement All international students and scholars must update their address within 10 days of moving. |
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| | Know Your Rights Video
The Office of the Dean of Students and Innovation Law Lab hosted a ‘Know Your Rights’ Webinar to better understand your rights when it comes to federal law enforcement activity in our community. UO log-in required to watch video.
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| | | | Winter Forum: Federal Updates Wednesday, February 11 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Knight Browsing Room & Microsoft Teams
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is hosting a forum for UO’s international community to share information about federal updates, answer your questions, and create a space for our international students, employees, and visitors to gather.
Learn more on ISSS’s Federal Updates webpage. |
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Federal UpdatesThe UO will continue to monitor and timely communicate any immigration updates, and their potential impact on our international students, faculty, staff, and visitors. |
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| Research SecurityThe Export Control Office works to strengthen international partnerships and collaborations, support the international community, and advance the international research enterprise. |
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| Travel GuidanceInformation and advising on US travel policies, visa renewals, and re-entry requirements. Help with planning safe travel, prepare required immigration documents, understand current restrictions, and navigate potential delays or complications when entering or leaving the country. Read more about travel and immigration resources. |
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| Legal ServicesInternational students, faculty, and staff can contact ASUO Legal Services for free guidance and referrals to low-cost or pro-bono immigration attorneys, with additional support available through Equity Corps of Oregon, Immigrant Law Group, and UO Counseling Services. Learn more about available legal services. |
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International Student and Scholar Services: Immigration and visa advising for F-1 and J-1 students; H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, J-1, and permanent residency sponsorship for scholars Work authorization, travel guidance, and compliance assistance Orientation and adjustment support for new international students Mentoring, cultural, and community engagement programs Scholarships, financial aid resources, and student support
Invite us to your department/staff meeting!
The Directors of International Student and Scholar Services, Becky Crabtree (Student Services) and Lindsay Pepper (Scholar Services), as well as the Vice Provost for Global Engagement (Dennis Galvan), are available to visit your department or staff meeting and share updates.
Examples of recent presentations/trainings include: |
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Office Location: Division of Global Engagement, Oregon Hall, 3rd floor
(enter through the east entrance)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 541-346-3206 Scholar Email: info@uoregon.College International Student & Scholar Portal: iconnect.uoregon.edu
Connect with ISSS on Social Media!
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
WeChat: add wjamerson
WhatsApp: add +1 541-632-9383 |
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