The U.S. has implemented some immigration- and travel-related restrictions. Read below to see if any apply to your situation.
Appointment backlogs at U.S. embassies and consulates continue to be an issue for foreign nationals who need visas. You should carefully consider any international travel that will require a visa to return to the U.S.
Effective January 5, 2023, all travelers to the United States who are flying from mainland China, Macau, or Hong Kong will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test done in the last two days or show proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
All nonimmigrants (most students and scholars at IU) must be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO-approved vaccine before entering the U.S. by air travel (including from Canada or Mexico).
One notable vaccine exemption allowed under the new proclamation is for citizens (passport holders) of countries with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) will maintain this list and update it every 3 months. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will use the CDC's list to determine which countries qualify. Vaccination exceptions will not be granted based on a recent country of residence.
IU has also has specific requirements and resources related to COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and masking.
Note: the United States no longer requires a negative COVID-19 test for entry for travelers except those from mainland China, Macau, or Hong Kong.
Effective May 12, 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow reduced consular services. It ceased to process non-immigrant visas (like F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor) for non-diplomatic travel. This means you are not able to apply for a student visa in Russia.
The U.S. Department of State has designated students and scholars seeking F-1 or J-1 visas may apply for a visa at Mission Kazakhstan and U.S. embassies Belgrade and Yerevan. You should check each post's website for the latest information and appointment availability.
Additionally, students and scholars may be able to seek visa appointments as third country nationals in other locations. You would need to determine eligibility and processes for this with an Embassy or Consulate.
Last updated: May 30, 2020
On May 29, the U.S. president signed a proclamation that suspends the entry of certain F-1 and J-1 graduate students and visiting scholars from China effective June 1, 2020. We will continue to process immigration documents for all F-1 and J-1 students and visiting scholars from China.
The proclamation defines “military-civil fusion strategy” as “actions by or at the behest of the PRC to acquire and divert foreign technologies, specifically critical and emerging technologies, to incorporate into and advance the PRC’s military capabilities.”
We will continue to process applications for admission and issue the necessary immigration documents (Forms I-20 or DS-2019 in most cases), regardless of restrictions listed here. We will provide individual counseling to help those affected.
Some invitations to visiting scholars and offers of employment to foreign nationals will likely require additional advising and processing time prior to employment eligibility.
