Most recent update: April 7, 2025
Effective March 25, 2025, a Department of State cable instructs Consular Officers to refer new or returning F and J visa applicants to the Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) for a mandatory social media check if they meet certain criteria:
- An applicant who the officer has reason to believe has openly advocated for a designated foreign terrorist organization;
- An applicant who was previously in the United States in F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa status between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024;
- An applicant whose previous SEVIS record was terminated between October 7, 2023, and the present.
We anticipate that this will significantly delay the visa issuance for anyone whose application is referred for a social media check.
In-Person Interview Waiver. On February 18, 2025, the Department of State issued an Interview Waiver Update. Consular Officers have the discretion to waive the in-person interview for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. Discretion means that even if you meet the criteria outlined below, you may still be required to make an interview appointment. In-person interviews may be waived for applicants who:
- previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application;
- apply in their country of nationality or residence;
- have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and
- have no apparent or potential ineligibility.
International students and scholars are still required to be outside the United States in order to apply for a U.S. visa.
Visa Issuance Delays. An in-person interview waiver does not necessarily mean that the visa issuance will be faster than a visa issued with an in-person interview.
While inside the United States, international students and scholars should carry a document that demonstrates your evidence of registration, such as a hard copy I-94 or EAD. See Identification Documents for more details.
See Tracking Immigration Changes for a summary of recent Executive Orders, Presidential Proclamations, Rules, and memoranda.
International Travel in 2025
Over the past few weeks, the International Offices have hosted listening sessions for the Caltech and JPL international student and scholar community, and we have been in conversations with our networks regarding international travel and visa issuance during the new administration. We are aware that some U.S. universities have urged international students and scholars to be inside the United States prior to the U.S. inauguration day of January 20, 2025. Caltech Winter Term starts on January 6, 2025, we expect that all students attending classes will have returned to the United States by the start of term. Although we cannot be certain of the impacts on international travel or visa issuance, we offer the following considerations:
- Previous travel bans, put in place during the first Trump Administration, included restrictions for certain citizens of Eritrea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, and Yemen. Based on this, experts have advised that citizens of these countries return from any international travel to the United States before January 20, 2025.
- Individuals with dual citizenships and all or certain nonimmigrant statuses, such as F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, were granted exemptions from previous travel bans.
- Citizens of other countries who have a valid U.S. visa, are not expected to have difficulties reentering the United States.
- Visa processing timelines are expected to increase in 2025, regardless of citizenship. This may include increased referrals for Administrative Processing. It is possible that the visa interview waiver process will end.
- Typically, travel to a particular country does not impact one's eligibility to reenter the United States. The Visa Waiver Program is an exception.
We know that uncertainty can be frustrating and even stressful, but we hope that the points above will help guide you in your decision regarding international travel in 2025. We will continue to communicate and share updates, as needed.
Ilana Smith
Director, International Offices
December 9, 2024
On December 21, 2023, the Department of State announced a pilot program to renew H-1B visas in the United States for certain individuals. The pilot program ran from January 29, 2024 to April 1, 2024 and was limited in scope. Among other restrictions, the program was open to H-1B applicants who received their initial H-1B visa in Canada between January 1, 2020 and April 1, 2023, or in India between February 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021; were not subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance (reciprocity) fee; were eligible for an in-person interview waiver; and whose prior visa doesn't include a "clearance received" annotation.
Canadians with a NEXUS card (which allows the use of Global Entry) should ensure that their account is set up properly. The automated entry machines will default to B-1 status unless you specify you are in a different status (F-1/J-1/H-1B/etc.) in the global entry app.
Download the Global Entry app, enter your pass ID on the back of the NEXUS card, answer "No" to being a US citizen or permanent resident, answer "Yes" to set a preferred class of admission (COA), and specify your immigration status (F-1/J-1/H-1B/etc.) as your preferred COA. If Canadians use the automated machines they should check their I-94 status right away and talk to an agent if it was incorrectly assigned as B-1. If you find out after you leave the airport, let your ISP/ISS/JPLIO advisor know immediately so we can guide you on how to correct the error.
Nonimmigrant visa fees. The current schedule for nonimmigrant visa fees is listed on the U.S. Department of State website.
Reciprocity fees. In addition to the nonimmigrant visa fee, U.S. Consulates charge visa reciprocity fees for certain visa types issued to citizens of certain countries based on the validity period. The amount and the validity periods of reciprocity fees change periodically. Before you travel and need to apply for a visa, review the Visa Reciprocity Schedule. For example:
- H-1B visa issued to a Chinese citizen has no reciprocity fee and is valid for a maximum period of 12 months
- H-1B visa issued to a French citizen has $480 reciprocity fee and is valid for a maximum period 36 months
- H-1B visa issued to an Australian citizen has a $1,695 reciprocity fee and is valid for a maximum period of 48 months
- F-1 visa issued to a Greek citizen has no reciprocity fee for a 12 month validity
- F-1 visa issued to a Greek citizen has an $80 reciprocity for a 60 month validity
Visa Processing. On January 2, 2024, the Department of State issued an Update on Worldwide Visa Operations, reflecting an improvement on visa appointment wait times and visa issuance.
Where to Apply. In the January 2, 2024 Update, the Department of State, "encourage[s] any visa applicant who can travel to another embassy or consulate with shorter wait times to consider doing so." Additionally, the Update confirms that applying outside your home country will not place your visa application at a disadvantage.
Tips to Schedule an Interview. A scholar who successfully obtained an H-1B visa in India shared the following tips on how to move an interview date forward, without requesting a formal expedite:
- Check the appointment availability slots daily. Do not do it more than three times in one day, otherwise your account will be blocked for 72 hours.
- Join a Facebook group or other social media to connect with other people who are also looking for visa appointments and posting updates.
- Follow the U.S. Embassy and Consulates because in some countries, they regularly post about appointment openings.
Air, Land, and Ferry Travel. Effective May 11, 2023, the White House has ended the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international air travelers. Similarly, effective May 11, 2023, the Dept. of Homeland Security no longer requires non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to have COVID-19 vaccinations.
Suspension of Entry. The Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People's Republic of China (PRC). Proclamation 10043 of May 29, 2020. This suspends the entry to the United States of F and J graduate students and researchers from the PRC whose study or research contributes to the PRC's "military‑civil fusion strategy." "Military-civil fusion strategy" is described in the Proclamation 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." This Proclamation is based on an individual's country of citizenship (China). It does not apply to undergraduates.
Exemptions. The Proclamation contains exemptions, for example:
- foreign nationals who have a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident spouse
- foreign nationals who are studying or conducting research in a field that would not contribute to the PRC's military‑civil fusion strategy
- foreign nationals whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees
If you believe that you would qualify for an exemption, we suggest that you consult with an immigration attorney since visa applications and admission into the United States are personal applications and are beyond the scope of the International Offices.
Employment While Abroad. Out-of-country remote work is rarely possible. If you are a current Caltech postdoc or staff member, contact Employee and Organizational Development (EOD) prior to making any plans for departure. EOD will evaluate your situation and provide guidance. If you are a current JPL postdoc or staff member, contact your organization's HR business partner (HRBP) (internal site). Caltech and JPL postdocs and staff members will not be able to start new employment while outside the United States. Professorial faculty members should contact International Scholar Services prior to making any plans to work abroad.