Immigration Updates
Travel Ban
UPDATED: June 6, 2025
On June 4, 2025 a presidential proclamation was issued barring the entry of international students, scholars, and exchange visitors, from 19 countries around the world.
At this time, we do not know how long the proclamation will be in effect. We recommend current students not traveling outside of the United States as your re-entry will be barred. You may continue to maintain your F or J status by enrolling in classes or working if you are currently authorized to be employed.
New international students and scholars are required to arrive at BGSU by Tuesday, August 19, 2025. If you are unable to arrive by this date, due to travel bans, please contact us to explore your options to defer your admission or reapply for a later term.
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Pause on F-1 Visa Interviews
UPDATED: 5/30/25
On May 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that it has temporarily suspended all student visa interviews worldwide for F, M, and J visa categories. This pause is part of a broader policy shift that mandates enhanced social media vetting for all student visa applicants. While the State Department has not specified when interviews will resume, applicants are advised to monitor embassy and consulate websites for updates and consult with the Office of International Programs and Partnerships (IPP) for guidance. Also in May 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced a policy to revoke visas for Chinese students and researchers with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or involvement in sensitive fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
Below are some frequently asked questions that may assist in your decision making regarding these announcements.
While the announcement mentioned the suspension of future interviews, if you already had an interview scheduled, please contact the embassy or consulate for instructions on whether you should still attend the interview. If you are unable to get in contact with anyone who can provide an answer, you should still attend the interview if you do not receive a notice that it is cancelled.
If you are a new student, contact IPP to discuss reapplying for a future semester and to defer your I-20 to the Spring 2026 or another future semester. Please note the required arrival date for new students to Bowling Green, is Tuesday, August 19, unfortunately no exceptions can be made. If you are unable to arrive by this date, please notify IPP as soon as possible to explore deferral options.
While there has not been clarification of any exceptions for continuing students seeking a visa, the visa renewal process is the same as when you received your initial visa. It assumed that you likewise will not be able to schedule a visa appointment until further notice.
Current students are expected to be physically in their classes the first week of the semester. Failure to arrive on time could impact your immigration status. If you are unable to arrive by the first week of the semester, please pay attention to any announcements regarding scheduling your visa appointment and notify IPP as soon as possible to explore deferral options.
Practice good social media hygiene by refraining from posts that may be inflammatory and managing your online presence responsibly, safely, and mindfully. You may also want to be mindful about how your posts could be perceived by future employers, schools, or immigration authorities.
You should always be honest about your social media accounts and list all that are requested by the U.S. government, including the URL, if possible.
If you are currently outside of the United States and your F-1 visa is valid and unexpired, you may seek re-entry. Please also note that being allowed re-entry is always at the discretion of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
If you need to apply for a new visa and you are exempt from the interview process, you may contact the embassy or consulate for further instructions.
If you are currently in the United States, you will not be impacted by the visa interview pause and may continue with your transfer.
If you receive any information concerning your visa being revoked, you should contact IPP immediately for further guidance.
While IPP is not able to definitively answer this question, we will continue to monitor student immigration records for any adverse actions.
At this time, due to current announcements being made by the federal government and the uncertainty of changes that my impact travel, IPP is recommending essential travel only.
Resources
- International Programs & Partnerships Office -
- Please drop in the office during business hours 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday, located in 301 University Hall.
Call us at 419.372.2247
Email us at iss@bgsu.edu
- Please drop in the office during business hours 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday, located in 301 University Hall.
- NAFSA (Association of International Educators) is a national organization of which BGSU is a member. NAFSA is providing helpful information to better understand this order.
What is BGSU doing to assist students, faculty, and staff affected by these proclamations and executive orders?
- International Programs & Partnerships will continue to monitor the situation and staying informed about changes and the implementation of this new order.
- We have and will continue to share information as it becomes available.
- If you are feeling additional stress and anxiety and would like to speak with a trained professional, please consider visiting the BGSU Counseling Center (101 East Hall).
Updated: 06/20/2025 10:34AM