This guidance is for the Northeastern Community on U.S. Campuses.

 

Please always review OGS' resources on Travel prior to making plans to travel inside or outside of the U.S.
Please continue to review OGS' Frequently Asked Questions on planning travel (requires NU credentials)

December 17, 2025: Updated Travel Ban Restricts Visa Issuance and Travel to the U.S. for Nationals of 19 Additional Countries

The Trump administration released a new presidential proclamation that will further restrict travel into the United States and the issuance of U.S. immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026, the issuance of F and J visas will be suspended for nationals of 38 countries. 

The 38 countries are: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents, regardless of country of nationality.

For more information, please review OGS' post here: Updated Travel Ban Restricts Visa Issuance and Travel to the U.S. for Nationals of 19 Additional Countries

November 13, 2025: Winter Break Travel Recommendations

As you prepare for Winter Break, please review the following important travel guidance to best prepare for the start of the Winter 2026 Quarter and Spring 2026 Semester. 

Travel Planning and Visa Considerations 

  • International Students and Scholars should check the expiration date of their passport and visa stamp as these documents must be valid in order to enter the U.S. If your F or J visa stamp has expired, we strongly recommend reconsidering international travel outside the United States*.  
    • A visa is travel/re-entry document that must be valid when you enter the U.S, it does not determine your eligibility to remain in the U.S. Therefore, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. after your F/J visa expires, as long as you are maintaining your status and have a valid I-20/DS-2019.
    • Traveling for the sole purpose of renewing your F or J visa is not recommended or necessary. 
    • *Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require an F/J visa for travel. 
  • Due to new visa processing guidelines from the U.S. Department of State, visa appointment and adjudication wait times may be significantly longer than usual. Additionally, we expect that consular offices worldwide will be short-staffed during the winter holidays, adding to their service delays.  
  • Current students are expected to be physically present on campus by the start of the academic term. Please plan your travel accordingly to avoid disruptions to your academic program. 
    • If you are unable to return to campus by the first day of the academic term, you may need to take a leave of absence. Late arrivals for continuing/current students are not permitted. All students must comply with university attendance and absenteeism policies. 
  • If you are from a country affected by the June 9, 2025 U.S. travel ban, please reconsider any travel plans outside the U.S. and contact OGS before making travel arrangements. 

If you decide to travel outside of the U.S., be sure to register your travel and carry all required documentation when traveling. 

Be aware of increased scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry. This may include: 

  • Social media screening by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
  • Device searches (phones, laptops, tablets) 

Please note that the Office of Global Services will close at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23, 2025, and will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026. We will offer limited virtual services on Monday, December 29, and Tuesday, December 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

If you need emergency travel assistance while we are closed, please call +1-857-214-5332 for 24/7 travel support. 

September 8, 2025 Update

On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) announced that effective immediately, applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas, including F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 visas, "should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence".

For more information, please review OGS' post here: Visa Interview Appointments Should be Scheduled in Country of Residence or Nationality

June 20, 2025 Update

The U.S. Department of State has officially resumed scheduling visa interviews for F-1 and J-1 student visa applicants. This means that students and scholars can now book their visa appointment at a local U.S. embassy or consulate. This is great news for all incoming international students preparing to join us for the upcoming academic term, and for all returning students who traveled home this summer and have an expired visa. 

In addition, as part of new screening procedures implemented by the Department of State (DOS):

  • Applicants must be prepared for their online presence to be reviewed as part of the visa application process
  • Applicants are required to set their social media profiles to "public"

OGS continues to advise current students to avoid traveling internationally for the sole purposes of renewing their F/J visa.

For more information, please review OGS' Post here: U.S. Department of State Resumes New Visa Issuance

June 5, 2025 Update

The Trump administration has issued a presidential proclamation that will significantly impact international travel and the issuance of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Beginning at 12:01 AM EST on June 9, 2025, visa issuance will be suspended for individuals from specific countries. This includes a full suspension for citizens of 12 countries across all visa types (including F and J), and a suspension of visa issuance for F, J, M, and B visa categories from 7 countries. These 19 countries include:

  • Afghanistan 
  • Burma (Myanmar) 
  • Chad 
  • Republic of Congo 
  • Equatorial Guinea 
  • Eritrea 
  • Haiti 
  • Iran 
  • Libya 
  • Somalia 
  • Sudan 
  • Yemen 
  • Burundi 
  • Cuba 
  • Laos 
  • Sierra Leone 
  • Togo 
  • Turkmenistan 
  • Venezuela 

Please review OGS' post here: Travel Ban Restricts Visa Issuance and Travel to the U.S. for Nationals of Certain Countries

May 27, 2025 Update

The U.S. Department of State temporarily paused the scheduling of new F-1/J-1 visa appointments while it reviews its procedures related to social media screening as part of the visa application process. 

Due to this visa pause, OGS strongly recommends that students and alumni do not travel for the sole purpose of renewing their F/J visa.

Please review OGS' Post here: U.S. Department of State Pauses New Visa Issuance

April 3, 2025 Update

Please review OGS' U.S. Immigration Legal Resources page where we have information for F-1 and J-1 students, scholars, and alumni, on F-1 and J-1 visa revocations.

Please also continue to review OGS’ FAQs for more guidance about planning your travel. You will need to be logged into the self-service portal to access the FAQs. If you are unable to access the FAQs, click “login” in the top right corner of the page to log in with your Northeastern credentials. 

March 26, 2025 Update

Upon taking office on January 20th, the Trump administration signed an executive order signaling its intention to restrict entry to the U.S. from “countries of particular concern.” We are writing to share resources and guidance for members of our global community and to urge those who might be affected to exercise caution when traveling or consider delaying international travel. Additionally, anyone who holds an Advanced Parole re-entry document (rather than a valid visa) and has discretionary protection (rather than legal status) may want to reconsider travel abroad. 

While the administration has not announced any travel restrictions or bans, news reports suggest that it is likely to categorize nations in three groups — Red, Orange, and Yellow — with restrictions ranging from barred entry to a more rigorous visa application process. We expect these orders to face legal challenges and will keep you updated if there are additional updates to our travel guidance. 

In addition, there have been increased reports of non-U.S. citizens encountering challenges when entering the U.S. Therefore, all travelers without U.S. citizenship should develop a contingency plan in case they have difficulty returning to the U.S.  

1. If you are an enrolled student, plan any necessary travel during university vacations/recesses - students are strongly advised against traveling during required academic terms. Maintaining your status by making normal progress in your academic program, complying with attendance/absenteeism policies, and attending your on-ground courses in person is critical.  

2. Follow all international travel guidance provided by OGS

3. Register Your Travel with Northeastern. It is highly recommended that all students, faculty, and staff enter their travel itinerary and housing accommodations abroad in “My Travel Plans,” also called the “Travel Registry.” This allows the university to communicate directly with travelers if unexpected events or conditions pose health or safety risks. In addition, it enables on-campus resources and external support providers to better respond to students, faculty, and staff who may need medical or security assistance. 

4. Register your travel with your home country’s embassy

5. Develop a contingency plan so that there are contacts on both sides of the port of entry who know to contact the appropriate Embassy if they don’t hear from you within a certain amount of time.

6. Prepare for the possibility that your electronic devices may be searched.

7. Review OGS’ FAQs for more guidance about planning your travel. You will need to be logged into the self-service portal to access the FAQs. If you are unable to access the FAQs, click “login” in the top right corner of the page to log in with your Northeastern credentials.  

F-1 and J-1 International students and scholars should reach out to the Office of Global Services with any questions. Students with other visa sponsorships or status should contact an experienced immigration attorney for additional guidance. We know that there is a great deal of uncertainty at this time, and we encourage you to stay informed and prepared. 

March 25, 2025 Update

OGS has published a new resource and FAQ to help international students and scholars understand what documents they are required to carry while inside the U.S.

February 11, 2025 update

Some international students, faculty, and staff may be considering travel outside the U.S. for academic programs or vacations. What should they keep in mind?

Members of our international and immigrant community based at a U.S. campus should continue to be proactive about travel plans and prepare for the possibility of sudden change.

Any citizens of a country that was subject to a travel ban in the past may want to be particularly cautious about international travel in the coming months. Anyone who holds an Advanced Parole re-entry document (rather than a valid visa) and has discretionary protection (rather than legal status) may want to re-consider travel abroad.

International students, faculty, and staff who are not citizens of a country subject to a past travel ban, and who have a valid U.S. visa, face fewer risks when traveling internationally. Still, all international travelers should expect additional screening by U.S. immigration when you return from abroad.

OGS has also prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide basic guidance to F-1/J-1 students and recent alumni about planning for the coming months.  

You can access the FAQs here.

NOTE: You will need to be logged into the self-service portal to access the FAQs. If you are unable to access the FAQs, click “login” in the top right corner of the page to log in with your Northeastern credentials. 

November 22, 2024

To the International Community at Northeastern University: 

With results of the U.S. presidential and congressional elections confirmed, we want to share important information for those in our community who hold re-entry visas, including international students, visiting scholars, faculty, researchers, and staff. We are encouraging members of the Northeastern community to be proactive with international travel plans during the upcoming months.   

To minimize potential disruption to your studies, work, or research, we strongly recommend returning to the U.S. no later than January 6, 2025, the start of Northeastern’s Winter/Spring academic term. This will allow you to be present on campus before possible restrictions take effect.  

 If you have questions about returning to the university after international travel, please contact:  

OGS has also prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide basic guidance to F-1/J-1 students and recent alumni about planning for the coming months.  

You can access the FAQs here.

NOTE: You will need to be logged into the self-service portal to access the FAQs. If you are unable to access the FAQs, click “login” in the top right corner of the page to log in with your Northeastern credentials. 

 Please don’t hesitate to reach out with concerns and take care when planning your trip.