News & Announcements

News Article

Update on South Sudanese Visa Issues

ISSS is closely monitoring recent policy changes announced by the new administration to assess the potential impacts on Penn’s international student and scholar community. Last week, the U.S. State Department…

News Article

Policy Brief from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Immigration Enforcement Actions Against International Students

On April 8, 2025, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) published a policy brief on Immigration Enforcement Actions Against International Students. This policy brief explains how student visas differ from…

News Article

Update on SEVIS Terminations and Support for International Students

Recently, we have learned that at least three people on Penn-sponsored student visas have had their SEVIS records terminated. This means their immigration status has been deactivated in the federal…

News Article

SEVIS Termination F.A.Q.

SEVIS Termination Notices – What You Need to Know as an International Student at Penn Read This First Update on SEVIS Terminations and Support for International Students Begin F.A.Q. Q1:…

News Article

USCIS Registration and Fingerprinting Requirement for Non-citizen Children

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a registration and fingerprinting requirement for non-citizens in the United States. This interim final rule applies to individuals who intend to stay in the…

News Article

Update on International Students and Scholars

Dear Penn Community, We are aware of reports that international students at universities across the U.S. have received emails from the State Department notifying them that their visas have been…

News Article

DHS Implements New Requirements for Non-US Citizens Not Previously Registered

Read the full announcement. The original announcement was posted on March 12, 2025 by Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published Interim Final Rule…

News Article

Important Information about Immigration Policies

This announcement was originally shared on March 18, 2025 and was sent on behalf of John L. Jackson, Jr., Provost, and Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, of the…

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Consultation Sessions with Immigration Attorneys

These free sessions are designed to provide legal guidance and address specific concerns for our international students and scholars. ISSS is offering 30-minute consultation sessions with immigration attorneys from our…

News Article

Important Travel Advisory for Students and Scholars

We want to bring to your attention reports indicating that a new travel ban may be announced as early as next week. While the specifics are not yet confirmed, the…

News Article

Spring Break Travel: Important Routine Reminders from ISSS

By: ISSS Staff – 2025/03/04

News Article

DHS Announces H-1B Modernization Final Rule

By: ISSS Staff – 2024/12/19 DHS Announces H-1B Modernization Final Rule on December 18, 2024, Effective on January 17, 2025 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)  announced a H1B Modernization final…

News Article

J-1 program Two-Year Home Residency Requirement update—Skill List

By: ISSS Staff – 2024/12/12 On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State published a new Exchange Visitor Skills List (“Skills List”), removing 35 countries including Brazil, China, India and South…

News Article

Travel Info: H-1B Faculty & Staff

By: ISSS Staff – 2024/11/20 Please remember that when re-entering the U.S. in valid H-1B status, you must present the following documents to the CBP Officer at the U.S. Border:…

News Article

Travel Info: J-1 Students and Scholars

By: ISSS Staff – 2024/11/20 As Thanksgiving and winter break approach, we are writing to provide reminders regarding international travel. When you return to the U.S., you will present the…

News Article

Travel Info: F-1 Students

By: ISSS Staff – 2024/11/20 As Thanksgiving and winter break approaches, we are writing to provide reminders regarding international travel.  When you return to the U.S., you will present the…

News Article

Important Announcement: ISSS Relocation During Winter Break

By: ISSS Staff – 2024/12/18 ISSS is moving! During the winter break, we will be relocating to our new office at 3935 Walnut Street, directly across from Gutmann College House,…

News Article

USCIS Implements Fee Increases – Effective 4/1/2024

By: ISSS Staff January 31, 2024: A USCIS Final Rule was published implementing fee increases for certain immigration and naturalization benefits. The increase in the following filing fees will most…

News Article

UPDATE- Potential Government Shutdown – Will It Impact your immigration status?

By: ISSS Staff PLEASE NOTE: Congress has passed a short-term funding bill postponing a government shutdown. Since there is a possibility of a U.S. federal government shutdown that could have…