JANUARY 8, 2026
PENDING IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGES
- No final federal regulation has yet been issued on the proposed time limited F-1 or J-1 visa status limiting students to a maximum of four years depending on degree program. Proposed rule provides for an extension process through USCIS, and students can continue to study and work on campus while extensions are pending.
- In late January/early February, the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) is expected to discuss and vote on a new policy setting out conditions for when/if H-1B sponsorships may be undertaken by any public university in Florida. Updates and information related to the new policy will be provided as soon as they are available.
VISA AND TRAVEL BANS
The updated visa restriction/ban pursuant to the December 16, 2025 Presidential Proclamation 10998, and effective January 1, 2026, has increased the number of countries whose citizens are ineligible for a new visa stamp from a U.S. consulate at this time. The 39 countries affected are listed below. Prospective students and employees currently outside the US and without a valid a valid US consulate issued visa stamp (F-1, J-1, H1-B, O-1, P-1) are not eligible to apply for any new visa at this time.
If students or employees from these countries are already in the US in a non-immigrant (e.g. F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, H-1B, O-1, or P-1) or immigrant (permanent resident) status, they will not be impacted by the ban if they remain in the U.S. and otherwise maintain their current legal immigration status. Transferring a student immigration record from another institution or changing immigration status inside the U.S. is still permitted. Those without a U.S. consulate issued valid visa stamp that reflects their current U.S. immigration status cannot return to the U.S. from international travel at this time. Those who do have a U.S. consulate issued valid visa stamp that reflects their current U.S. immigration status should seriously consider the risks of traveling internationally. If the passport containing the correct and valid visa stamp is lost or stolen while outside the U.S., there is no available method for replacing it and returning to the U.S. Although the presidential proclamation clarifies in Section 6 that the bans are not applicable to those whose have valid visas that were issued prior to January 1, 2026, Customs and Border Protection always has broad discretion to determine whether a traveler is eligible for entry to the U.S. for their stated purpose.
Countries Currently Subject to U.S. Visa Issuance Bans:
Afghanistan
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burma
- Burundi
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Cote d ‘Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Palestinian Authority Document Holders
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
ONE ENTRY VISA
The U.S. State Department maintains visa reciprocity tables at U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country that indicate the maximum visa validity and number of entries for each visa status for each country. These tables may change at any time. As of January 7, 2025, citizens of the following countries will receive a three-month validity, one entry F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, H-1B, or H-4 visa, meaning that after entering the U.S. initially, subsequent international travel for any purpose will require the student or employee to re-apply for a new visa stamp from a U.S. consulate outside the U.S. This will impact student or employee ability to attend international conferences or to travel home for a brief visit.
- Bhutan
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Comoros (J-1, J-2, H-1B, and H-4; F-1 is one year, multiple entry)
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ethiopia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Madagascar
- Micronesia (J-1, J-2, H-1B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
- Palau (J-1, J-2, H-1B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
- Pitcairn (J-1, J-2, H-1B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Timor-Leste (J-1, J-2, H-1B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
The reciprocity tables can change at any time without notice.
CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING
Curricular practical training (CPT) authorization may only be granted by a Department of Homeland Security Designated School Official at the FSU Center for Global Engagement if the training is fulfilling a required component of the degree per federal regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)-(12) and further ICE guidance at Curricular Practical Training. Some examples are:
- required Formative Experience for undergraduates documented through enrollment in the Experience Recognition Program (only one semester);
- required core courses that have an experiential learning component;
- for-credit elective courses counted toward degree completion that have an experiential learning component;
- Honors in the Major thesis, Masters thesis, or dissertation that requires training to gain specialized skills or access to data or tools;
- fulfillment of doctoral student scholarly activity requirement (as defined by the academic department for all students) that has an experiential learning component; and/or
- fulfillment of work experience hours required of all students in the particular degree program as outlined in the bulletin.
Proposed regulation 90 FR 42602 will require that the school certification to sponsor F-1 students (form I-17) contains specific information regarding the degree components CPT will fulfill for each degree program.
For questions about above immigration regulations please contact Tanya Schaad at Tschaad@fsu.edu.
FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN
Pursuant to section 288.860, Florida Statutes, and Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 9.012, an exception approved by the BOG is required to employ any individual deemed a foreign principal (domiciled in a foreign country of concern or a member of a political party or government official of a foreign country of concern). State laws and regulations impose strict requirements for screening foreign researchers and entering into agreements with foreign principals.
However, a preliminary injunction issued in federal court currently provides that F-1 students currently do NOT require BOG approval for employment in assistantships or other on-campus roles. Individuals employed under all other visa types still require an exception from the BOG, including all visitors.
It is important to note that the outcome of the federal litigation may impact eligibility for assistantships before the onboarding date. Specifically, if the injunction is lifted before the candidate's first day of paid work, FSU will not be permitted to hire the candidate as a graduate assistant. In that case, the candidate will be responsible for covering their tuition and living expenses using personal funds. For F-1 students being offered assistantships, please ensure candidates are informed of this stipulation. For more information, please refer to the following guidance.
For questions about FCOC contact Edna Gasque at foreigninfluencecompliance@fsu.edu
RESEARCH AMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT PORTAL (RAMP)
All international hires for academic and research positions must be entered into the Export Control section of RAMP to undergo screening to determine eligibility for hire. Ensure students with assistantship offers are entered into RAMP as soon as students accept offers. Make sure to use the correct job code for each student. Screening for a research assistantship will take much longer than screening for a teaching assistantship.
Check RAMP frequently to ensure students are moving through the screening process and not delayed due to request for more information or other issues. For questions about RAMP contact Jordan Huston at RAMP-ExportControl@fsu.edu.
HIRING INTL FACULTY
For specific questions regarding hiring of international faculty and staff who require visa sponsorship, please contact: Leslie Crosdale, Associate General Counsel, LCrosdale@fsu.edu.