Federal Immigration and State of Florida Updates

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 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.

Please read the information below on the impacts to students, scholars, and employees.

Countries Currently Subject to U.S. Visa Issuance Bans:

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

Current FSU Students or Employees

Current FSU Students or Employees

Students or employees from these countries who 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 will not be impacted by the visa ban if they remain in the U.S. and otherwise maintain their current legal immigration status. 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.

Prospective Students or Scholars Inside the U.S.

Prospective Students or Scholars Inside the U.S.

Prospective students from these countries in valid F-1or J-1 student immigration status inside the U.S. at another institution or on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training can be admitted, funded, and transfer their F-1 or J-1 immigration status to FSU without submitting an application to USCIS or obtaining a new visa. After formal admission, they will receive instructions on how to submit their funding documentation and request their FSU transfer I-20 or DS-2019. Prospective students inside the U.S. in other visa statuses (J-2, E-2, L-2, H-4, asylee, refugee, permanent resident) may also have the option to study without applying for a new visa stamp or submitting an application to USCIS depending upon their visa type. The Center for Global Engagement can provide more information regarding visa statuses that permit study. J-1 Research Scholar, Professor, Short-term Scholar, Specialist, or Student Intern visa status from these countries who are already in the U.S. may be able to transfer their immigration status to FSU if they have available time within the maximum duration of that status. The J-1 status cannot be used for tenure-track positions.

Prospective Students Outside U.S.

Prospective Students Outside U.S

Prospective students who are located outside the US and need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa allowing them to enter and study in the US, will not be issued visas at this time but they can be admitted. The visa ban will be re-evaluated in mid-June when the bans will either continue or be lifted. Admitted students from a country with the visa ban lifted can get an I-20, apply for their visa, pay the associated non-refundable government fees (approximately $535), and schedule a visa appointment for late summer. The timing may not allow for social media vetting and visa issuance in time for the start of the fall semester. Consider having them apply for spring semester or the following fall.

 

HOLD ON USCIS BENEFITS

Effective January 1, 2026, for an unspecified period of time, USCIS is not issuing final approval notices for applications submitted by or on behalf of citizens of the above countries affected by visa bans. See PM-602-0194-PendingApplicationsAdditionalHighRiskCountries-20260101.pdf. Applications and petitions can be submitted to USCIS, but the hold may delay employment authorization for potential hires and full-time enrollment for students in certain visa classifications.

 

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.

 Current list of countries allowing one entry visa :

  • 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,H1_B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
  • Palau (J-1,J-2,H1_B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
  • Pitcairn (J-1,J-2,H1_B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Timor-Leste (J-1,J-2,H1_B, and H-4; F-1 is 3 month, 2 entries)
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vanuatu

 

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.

Examples of Curricular Practical Training

  • 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 ADMINISTRATIVE 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.