I’m writing to share an important update regarding the federal Visa Integrity Fee included in the FY25 Homeland Security appropriations bill, which passed the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on July 25, 2025. While implementation details are still forthcoming, the proposed changes carry significant implications for Penn’s international students, scholars, and employees. What We Know So Far: Implications for…
Anvi’s Red and Blueprint | You probably skipped the most important orientation at Penn “It’s 10 a.m. Welcome to Penn. Please fill out these 17 forms.” My mother has already found someone to trade WhatsApp numbers with. I, jet-lagged, am wondering if it’s socially acceptable to nap under the registration table. “My child is ready…
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has recently revised the visa reciprocity schedules for over 50 countries, significantly reducing the validity period and number of entries allowed for many non-immigrant visas. These changes affect a broad range of visa categories and have important implications for international students, scholars, faculty, staff, and departments at the University…
Dear International Students and Scholars, We want to share an important update from the U.S. Department of State (DoS) that may affect visa applications for F and J nonimmigrant classifications. On June 18, 2025, the DoS announced enhanced screening protocols, which include reviewing visa applicants’ online presence and social media activity. Applicants may be asked…
Weekly Bulletin – June 9, 2025 Essential Updates For the week of June 2-June 8, Penn Global issued two updates: Other Updates & Reminders It is important to stay informed about your immigration status and maintaining your lawful immigration status. To do so, students and scholars can: If you have questions or concerns about your status…
Dear International Members of the Penn Community, We know that recent statements about international students and immigration policy changes have been deeply destabilizing as you navigate visa applications, summer travel, and planning for the fall semester. The critiques cast a pall over one of America’s traditional strengths—its openness to global talent—and are causing undeserved disruption…
Dear Students and Scholars, We are writing to you as passport holders from countries named under a newly announced travel ban that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday June 9th. This ban restricts entry to the United States for nationals of the following twelve countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo,…
Weekly Bulletin – June 2, 2025 Essential Updates For the week of May 27-June 1, Penn Global issued two updates: Past Events Navigating Visa, Port of Entry, and Travel Challenges in 2025Thursday May 15th, 2025 In light of recent developments involving heightened visa scrutiny, unexpected entry denials, and shifting enforcement priorities, this timely webinar will bring together…
Dear Students from China and Hong Kong, We understand the uncertainty and concern raised by changes in U.S. visa policy and in particular the State Department’s May 28 announcement that it will implement a more rigorous review of Chinese and Hong Kong students in the U.S. We want to assure you that we are aware…