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International Student Services Office – Expanding U.S. Entry Restrictions

On December 16, 2025, the White House announced an update to the Presidential Proclamation titled, 鈥溾�� which further expands the list of countries whose nationals will be restricted on entering the U.S. The travel restrictions should not affect students already in the U.S. or those students with a valid F-1 or J-1 visa prior to the effective date of the updated proclamation.听The proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 1, 2026.

Full Suspension of Entry

The Proclamation continues full restrictions of nationals from the 12 countries announced in the original听听from June 4, but includes听7 additional countries听to the full suspension from entering the U.S. list.听This restriction applies to F-1 and J-1 student visa categories:

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso*
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos*
• Libya
• Mali*
• Niger*
• Palestinian Authority* (individuals who seek to travel on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority)
• Sierra Leone*
• Somalia
• South Sudan*
• Sudan
• Syria*
• Yemen

Countries marked with an * above are the newly added countries. Laos and Sierra Leone have been changed from the previous听partial restrictions听list to the听full restrictions听list.

Partial Suspension of Entry

The updated Proclamation continues the partial restrictions of nationals from 4 countries but adds听15 more countries听that now have听partial restrictions or limitations,听affecting entry on immigrant and some nonimmigrant visas.听This restriction applies to F-1 and J-1 student visa categories:

• Angola*
• Antigua and Barbuda*
• Benin*
• Burundi
• C么te d鈥橧voire*
• Cuba
• Dominica*
• Gabon*
• The Gambia*
• Malawi*
• Mauritania*
• Nigeria*
• Senegal*
• Tanzania*
• Togo
• Tonga*
• Venezuela
• Zambia*
• Zimbabwe*

Who does this Affect?

As outlined in the Presidential Proclamation, the suspension of entry to the U.S. is applicable only to nationals of the listed countries who:

• are outside the U.S. on January 01, 2026 12:01 am eastern standard time,听and
• do not have a valid visa on January 01, 2026 12:01 am eastern standard time

Current Students and Alumni

Current F and J international students from the affected countries with valid visas and who are physically present in the U.S. should not be subject to the updated travel restrictions. However if you have plans to travel outside the U.S., International Student Services strongly advises you to consult our office or an immigration attorney.听If you decide to travel, visa renewal and re-entry in the U.S. is not guaranteed.

Incoming Students

Incoming F and J international students who are outside the U.S. and have been issued a visa before January 01, 2026 should not be affected by these entry bans. However, incoming international students who have not been issued a visa by January 01, 2026 will likely not be eligible to obtain a visa or travel to the U.S. according to the updated restrictions by this Presidential Proclamation. We recommend reaching out to听听for incoming Master鈥檚 or PhD students or听Undergraduate International Admissions听for incoming Bachelor鈥檚 degree students to discuss your options.

International Scholars Office – Updated Guidance on听New H-1B Visa Fee

On September 20th, 听and 听issued guidance clarifying that the 听only affects H-1B petitions that have not been filed yet, and the beneficiaries thereof.

This means that any 91爆料 employee who has already had an H-1B petition for them filed and/or approved should not be subject to the new fee requirement. H-1B employees currently outside the U.S. should be able to reenter subject to the usual requirements and guidance listed on our 听page.

This is a significant change from what was originally announced yesterday evening. We in ISO extend our sincerest apologies and support to any employee whose travel plans were disrupted by the announcement yesterday. We will continue to reach out with updated guidance as we can.

As always, please send your questions to us at acadvisa@uw.edu.

International Scholars Office –

On September 19, 2025, an 听was issued that bans entry in H-1B status by anyone whose employer has not paid a $100,000 fee on their behalf. The executive order goes into effect at 12:01AM EST on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

This requirement only applies to persons entering the U.S. in H-1B status; scholars already in the U.S. in H-1B status should not be affected unless they engage in international travel. Changes of status to or extensions of H-1B status inside the U.S. should also be unaffected.

• If you are in the U.S. in H-1B status, ISO recommends against international travel at this time. 听
• If you are outside the U.S. and have an H-1B visa stamp or are visa-exempt, ISO strongly recommends that you return to the U.S. before 12:01AM EST on Sunday, September 21, 2025.听

We cannot predict whether or how the fee will change at this time. ISO will continue to provide updates as this situation evolves. Please contact us听with any questions.

International Student Services –

• International Student Services –
• International Student Services –
• International Scholars Operations:

91爆料 teams are reaching out to affected students and scholars directly with more information.

The Trump administration has signed a that is slated to go into effect at 12:01 am eastern daylight time on June 9, 2025 (9:01 pm Seattle time on June 8, 2025). The countries included in the travel ban are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Heightened restrictions (not a full ban) will also be imposed on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Individuals from the partially banned countries will not be able to come to the United States permanently or get new tourist, student, or exchange visitor visas. It is possible that other countries will be added to the ban at a later date.

The ban provisions only apply to nationals of the countries included in the travel ban who are outside of the U.S. and who do not already have a valid visa as of June 9, 2025. Individuals who are inside the United States on June 9, 2025, or who are outside the United States on that date but have a visa that is valid as of June 9, 2025, would not be covered by the ban. There are also exceptions for some visa categories.

We encourage current visa holders from affected countries to plan ahead carefully if traveling outside the U.S., as U.S. Customs and Border Protection may hold you for additional screening and/or deny re-entry upon your return. It is essential that you bring appropriate documentation, and you should adjust your plans to allow extra transit time.

This will impact the 91爆料 community as we engage in study, research and other University activities abroad. However, we remain dedicated to our mission as a global university and to all members of our community, no matter where they call home. The 91爆料 is committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment that protects the privacy and human rights of our community.

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