International Student, Faculty & Staff

Yes, new student visa applications are being accepted and processed.

• A visa revocation cancels a prior issued visa and means that the individual can no longer use that visa to enter the U.S.
  
  
• A SEVIS record termination means that the electronic SEVIS record of an individual in F-1 or J-1 status has been updated to a status of “terminated.” This results in the loss of valid F-1 or J-1 status.
  
  
• For individuals with F-1 or J-1 visas, their visa may be revoked, their SEVIS record may be terminated, or both actions may happen at the same time.

While most visa holders are not currently impacted, if you receive communication that indicates your visa has been revoked and you are sponsored by a UW university, forward the communication to your UW immigration advisor without delay. If you are not sponsored by a UW university, share the correspondence with your immigration attorney.

If your U.S. visa is revoked

If you are inside the U.S. at the time of revocation:

• You may need legal advice. Contact an immigration lawyer. Your UW immigration advisor cannot advise on this matter.
• You may need consular assistance. Contact the nearest consulate or embassy of your country of citizenship.
• If you remain in the U.S. and the federal government determines that the visa revocation resulted from your actions, your legal status in the U.S. may be affected (see “What happens if my SEVIS record is terminated by an entity other than my university?).

If you are outside the U.S. at the time of revocation, do not attempt to re-enter the U.S. using the revoked visa. A revoked visa is immediately invalid for legal entry/re-entry.

F/J/H-1B/TN/O-1/E-3 visa holders: Immediately inform your immigration advisor and share a copy of your revocation letter.

The U.S. Department of State should inform the visa holder in writing to the email address the visa holder used when they applied for the visa if it has been revoked. The university is not notified when a visa is revoked.

If a SEVIS record has been terminated, UW universities have been or will be in contact with the affected individuals to support them as they can While UW universities cannot provide legal advice, immigration advisors are taking appointments with students and can refer individuals to legal resources upon request. 

If you are inside the U.S.

• If you remain in the U.S., you may be arrested, detained, and/or deported.
• Your UW immigration advisor cannot advise on this Seek legal advice from an immigration attorney. The American Immigration Lawyers Association has a search tool to find immigration attorneys.
• You may need consular assistance. Contact the nearest consulate or embassy of your country of citizenship.
• If you require travel assistance in the U.S. and participate in the UW’s Inbound Short-Term International Student, Scholar, Visitors Insurance Program through CISI, call 1 (855) 327-1411, worldwide (01 312) 935-1703 (collect calls accepted), or e-mail medassist-usa@axa-assistance.us to access 24-hour emergency travel assistance services.

If you are outside the U.S. at the time of termination, do not attempt to re-enter the U.S. You may risk arrest at the U.S. border, detention, and/or deportation.

In late April, SEVIS records of some F-1 individuals, which had been terminated by an entity other than the university, were restored to “active” status without the intervention of a court. UW international student services offices are contacting these individuals as they find updated records. Individuals who have had their SEVIS record restored should retain a screenshot of the SEVIS event history with the exact date/time stamp of the change and any reactivation of OPT/STEM authorization dates. UW universities may permit individuals with restored SEVIS records to resume on-campus employment, if relevant.

International students, faculty, and staff planning to travel outside the United States should carefully consider the complexities of U.S. immigration laws. The Universities of Wisconsin urges international visa holders to consider potential future policy changes—such as possible travel bans currently being reported in the media—that could impact their return. You are responsible for your own decisions. These FAQs are designed to help you make an informed decision.

As of April 7, 2025, the U.S. government has not issued any active travel bans.

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14161 directing the U.S. Secretary of State and others to submit a report “identifying countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries” by March 21, 2025. This is developing information.

If you choose to travel internationally, it is important to plan and frequently check U.S. government sources, as rules and conditions for travel to the U.S. may change rapidly. 

• U.S. Department of State or specific consulate websites  
• Visa appointment wait times
• What to expect when entering the U.S.

While there is no travel ban currently in place, in the coming weeks, the U.S. government might issue travel restrictions preventing certain visa holders from reentering the United States. The Universities of Wisconsin do not have the authority to influence government officials to admit international students, faculty, and staff impacted by any possible travel bans.

The Universities of Wisconsin cannot speculate on what future changes in immigration policy may be or require. If you are sponsored by a UW university, you are encouraged to contact the UW office that serves your immigration status for assistance and/or review any information your UW campus provides online.

UW universities follow internal protocol to advise students on academic options. Options vary widely by degree program and depend on the number of requirements a student has yet to fulfill.

While courses offered 100% online are available, for students in jurisdictions outside the U.S. please exercise caution as providing online education may be subject to local regulation. If there is an interruption to instruction close to the end of the semester, please review your policies on completing courses in an emergency. If there is an interruption closer to the beginning of the semester, please review policies on withdrawals and refunds, if appropriate. However, a student’s degree program may or may not offer the specific 100% online courses needed by a particular student. UW university academic advisors can provide resources or advising on a case-by-case basis.

International student services offices follow internal protocol in advising students on the legal requirements for travel followed by re-entry into the U.S. 

Students should discuss risks and mitigation strategies for re-entry into the U.S. with an immigration lawyer prior to deciding to depart the U.S.  Students should also discuss with their academic advisor prior to deciding the impact (if any) that an inability to re-enter the U.S. may have on their ability to complete a degree.