News

Revised Exchange Visitor Skills List - Effective Dec 9, 2024

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) published a revised J-Exchange Visitor Skills List (“Skills List” or “2024 Skills List”) effective December 9, 2024. The revised list removes 37 countries from the Skills list and does not add any additional countries to the list.

International Travel Risks with the New Incoming Government Administration

ISSO urges international travelers to consider arranging their travel back to the U.S. before January 20, 2025.

USCIS Announces Inflation Increase for Premium Processing Fees 

On December 28, 2023, USCIS announced that premium processing (PP) fees will increase from $2,500 to $2,805. The change primarily impacts UCSF's employment-based H-1B population. 

Onsite Requirements for J-1 Visa Holders – DOS Guidance Directive Updated June 8, 2023

Effective July 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) is ending its policy that permitted temporary modifications of EVPs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Updates for F-1 International Students Enrolled in Remote Coursework

Beginning Fall 2023 online instruction is limited to no more than one class (or three units) per term for all F-1 students

Scams Directed at International Students and Scholars

A number of international students and scholars around the Bay Area (including UCSF) have been targeted by a phone “scam” involving someone claiming to be from a government agency.

Presidential Proclamation of Certain Graduate Students and Researchers from the PRC

On May 29, 2020, a Presidential Proclamation was issued which bars visa issuance for certain foreign nationals who are both affiliated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) or other institutions supporting the PLA’s “military-civil fusion...

CARES Act Stimulus Payments

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be issuing stimulus payments to individuals who hold resident alien status for tax purposes.