Page 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.

At this time, while we believe the scope of impact from this proclamation will be relatively low at IU, there are still many unknowns regarding how this policy will be implemented. Until we are advised otherwise by the U.S. government, we will continue to process immigration documents for all F-1 and J-1 students and visiting scholars from China.

Who is NOT impacted

• All new and continuing undergraduate students
• All legal permanent residents
• A spouse of a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
• F-1 or J-1 graduate students or visiting scholars "in a field involving information that would not contribute to the PRC’s military‑civil fusion strategy"
  • This section of the proclamation is vague, and will be defined in the future by the U.S. Secretaries of State and Homeland Security. We do not know when they will provide further clarification.

Who is impacted

• New graduate F-1 or J-1 students and visiting scholars who:
  • Currently receive funding, are employed by, study at, or conduct research at or on behalf of "an entity in the PRC [People's Republic of China] that implements or supports the PRC’s 'military-civil fusion strategy'"
  • Have previously been employed at, studied at, or conducted research at or on behalf of "an entity in the PRC [People's Republic of China] that implements or supports the PRC’s 'military-civil fusion strategy'"
• The U.S. Secretary of State shall determine if current F-1 or J-1 graduate students and visiting scholars who are in the United States and have a valid visa meet the criteria regarding involvement in "military-fusion strategy" and determine whether their visa should be revoked.

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."