DARE: Desert Academic Retreat Open for Applications

• January 7th, 2026
• in International Main

Applications are open for Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s DARE: Desert Academic Retreat. This is an opportunity for senior faculty to immerse themselves in the desert while advancing their research and participating in cultural exchange and collaborative opportunities with BGU’s renowned faculty.

Deadline for application: Feb 15, 2026.

For eligibility, program information and dates, visit https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/u/vps/international/dare/.

DARE_digital flyer

Home Away From Home: Community at International Coffee Hour

• January 6th, 2026
• in Capstone International Services International Main

Home Away From Home: Community at International Coffee Hour

The University of Alabama Student Center is always busy at lunchtime, but if you walk by at midday on a Friday, you’ll see room 2100 is nearly packed. What is it — free football tickets? An unannounced appearance from Taylor Swift?

None of the above. The big draw is the International Coffee Hour.

“International Coffee Hour is really our premier event that our office puts on,” said Mitchell Wolf, international programs coordinator for the Office of International Student and Scholar Success.

“We really want to facilitate intercultural learning on campus,” Wolf said. “We want to expose University of Alabama students to what the world is like out there through meeting international students, to exposing them to culture, while also supporting our international students that are here far away from home.”

Launched as a small event more than two decades ago, International Coffee Hour now attracts close to 300 students every week – about 100 more than last year’s average.

Each week, the coffee hour salutes a different country. ISSS usually draws from the top ten countries where UA’s international students come from, plus a mix of other nations. A light lunch prepared by Bama Dining reflects the cuisine of that week’s country. This spring the global hopscotch includes Bangladesh, Nigeria, Canada and seven other nations.

Beyond the food, International Coffee Hour is like a town square, a place where people from Alabama, the rest of the U.S. and dozens of countries meet and build friendships. That’s what happened to Lucy Spear, a Fayette native who serves as a peer advisor for international students.

“I think there’s something so powerful about having a conversation with someone who grew up differently from you. It helps you understand people more,” Spear said. “Manogya Khanal, she’s one of my best friends, and she’s from Nepal. Without coffee hour, I wouldn’t have met her.”

Khanal came to UA to study mechanical engineering and serves on the International Peer Advisory Council board. She said she loves what International Coffee Hour brings to the campus.

“I think coffee hour, in its core, stands for the exchange of culture and diverse groups of people coming together, asking questions or sharing their knowledge, where you can just talk about your shared curiosity…I can teach you so many things about my country, and you can teach me so many things about living in the States,” Khanal said.

During the coffee hour, room 2100 is filled with students’ voices. The conversations can be about almost anything: big things, such as global current events, and small things, like weekend plans, classes, memes and jokes.

“I think that’s one thing I like about coffee hour: it could be as deep as you want it to be. You can get as much as you want from it,” Spear said.

Each of the coffee hour events feels like a home away from home, Khanal said, because the conversations and camaraderie give her a chance to bond with students whose homes span the country and the world.

“Very lasting and meaningful relationships that I hope that I can carry on after college as well,” she said.

The International Coffee Hour’s future may include a bigger space and more cultural engagement, such as dance presentations or informal talks, Wolf said. But the bottom line will stay the same: getting people from different places into the same room to learn, discover and form strong, long-lasting bonds.

“We’ve got something good here at The University of Alabama and something that we should be proud of,” he said. “And we want more and more students to be able to experience it.”

The International Coffee Hour’s spring semester launches Friday, Jan. 16. The hour is held most Fridays in the UA Student Center, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information, including a schedule of the countries featured this year, can be found at UA’s Capstone International Center website.

USCIS Pauses Application Processing Submitted by Citizens of 40 Countries on Travel/Visa Bans

• January 6th, 2026
• in Capstone International Services

USCIS Pauses Application Processing Submitted by Citizens of 40 Countries on Travel/Visa Ban (Updated 01/01/2026)

On January 1, 2026, USCIS issued an updated policy memo which expands on their prior 12/2/2025 policy memo.  The new policy memo generally halts all applications submitted to USCIS by citizens of the 40 Countries covered under Presidential Proclamation 10998: Restricting And Limiting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of The United States.

This impacts Asylum and Permanent Residency case filings as well as I-765 Employment Authorization Applications, I-539 Petitions for Change-of-Status or Extension-of-Status, I-129 Petitions for H-1B, and other petitions filed with USCIS for citizens of Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burma, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Please note, cases may still be filed with USCIS despite the processing pause, and ISSS encourages students and scholars from impacted countries to make sure to continue timely filing of petitions.

See: Immigration Updates Page for latest news

Travel Bans Expanded

• December 16th, 2025
• in Capstone International Services

Travel Bans Expanded 

The Presidential Proclamation of December 16, 2025: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of The United States expands the number of countries impacted by travel bans.  This proclomation adds 7 countries plus Palestinian Authority-issued travel document holders to the “full” travel ban list and 15 countries to the “partial” travel ban list.  These additional bans go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Previously, Presidential Proclamation 10949 of June 4, 2025: Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats established a “full” travel ban on 12 countries and a “partial” travel ban on 7 countries, that went into effect on June 9, 2025.

Read:

• The December 16 Proclamation on whitehouse.gov
• White House Fact Sheet on the December 16, 2025 Proclamation
• The June 4 Proclamation (10949) on whitehouse.gov
• White House Fact Sheet on the June 4, 2025 Proclamation

Resource: NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Effective dates – 

• Original travel bans went into effect June 9, 2025.
• Expanded travel bans go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Full ban countries – A total of nineteen (19) countries plus holders of Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents are subject to a full ban that suspends “entry into the United States” of nationals of those countries as “immigrants and nonimmigrants.”

• The original 12 “full ban” countries which went into effect on June 9, 2025 are: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
• The expanded list of 7 countries plus holders of Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents who are subject to the “full ban” which goes into effect on January 1, 2026 are: Burkina Faso, Laos*, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone*, South Sudan, Syria and those holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents.
  • *Note: Laos and Sierra Leone were previously on the “partial ban” list and have been added to the “full ban” list effective January 1, 2026.

Partial ban countries – A total of twenty (20) countries are subject to a partial ban that suspends “entry into the United States” as immigrants and of nonimmigrants “B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.”

• The original 7 “partial ban” countries which went into effect on June 9, 2025 are:  Burundi, Cuba, Laos*, Sierra Leone*, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela
  • *Note: Laos and Sierra Leone have been made subject to the “full ban” list effective January 1, 2026.
• The expanded list of 15 countries subject to the “partial ban” which goes into effect on January 1, 2026 are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Exceptions – The ban provisions are applicable only to nationals of the subject country who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa as of the effective date of the travel ban (i.e. June 9, 2025 for original travel ban countries and January 1, 2026 for expanded travel ban countries).

Individuals who are inside the United States on the effective date, or who are outside the United States on that date but have a visa that is valid as of the effective date, would not be covered by the ban.

Please note, the proclamation does not revoke visas issued before the proclamation effective dates. Both the June 4 and December 16 Proclamations state that “No immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of this proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to this proclamation.”

There are also a number of categorical exceptions, such as for lawful permanent residents, dual nationals who travel on passports issued by a non-ban country, asylees, refugees, diplomatic and international organization visas, and some other categories.

Case-by-case exceptions – Both the June 4 and December 16 Proclamations provide for case-by-case exceptions by the Attorney General and Secretary of State.

Advising – International Students, Scholars, Faculty, and Staff from the above 39 impacted countries and those holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents are strongly advised to consult with International Student & Scholar Services prior to any travel.  ISSS advising staff are available during drop-in advising 11 am – 3 pm, Monday through Thursday or by appointment.

The following chart may help understand the two Proclamations and their impact:

Three ELI Students and Their Reasons for Studying English

• November 6th, 2025
• in English Language Institute International Main

“UA is cool. It’s quite different from German universities because the campus is like a small town, and everyone is proud of it,” assessed ELI student, Dominik Souard, who is employed in an IT consulting firm near Frankfurt. Although he uses English documents every day in his job, he wanted to develop his fluency. Dominik searched for a large, traditional, and dynamic campus with college sports and finally chose the ELI because it gave him the opportunity to live on campus during his four-week program. “Americans are open people and easy to get in touch with,” he concluded. 
 
 

On the other hand, Jieun Choi came to UA from Korea with her husband, who is working in the English Department. She currently has conditional admission for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and is studying to satisfy the English proficiency requirement. In addition to developing her English, Jieun plays violin in the Tuscaloosa Symphony and teaches Korean in the Critical Languages Program. She appreciates Tuscaloosa because it is a “safe and clean city with a good environment for study.” 
 
 

Improving her professional profile is Diana Gil Bora’s purpose in studying English. She is from an Indigenous community in Colombia and hopes to work in The National University on a campus located in the Amazon region. She noted, “I believe in education to resolve issues in my community. I want to guide young people in educational processes such as admission to the university, finding scholarships and studying abroad.”  She is sure that her own experience at the ELI will help her do that.

Proclamation on H-1B Entry & Requirement of $100,000 Fee

• October 21st, 2025
• in Capstone International Services

Proclamation on H-1B Entry & Requirement of $100,000 Fee (Updated 10/20/2025)

Read: Proclamation and White House Fact Sheet

Late on Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a Proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.   The proclamation sets out to restrict the entry to the United States of H-1B specialty occupation workers unless employers pay a $100,000 fee per petition, with limited national-interest exemptions, starting at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025.

CLARIFICATIONS ON INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FOR CURRENT H-1B EMPLOYEES (Updated 09/20/2025)

Late on Saturday, September 20, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a memorandum clarifying that the proclamation only applies to petitions that have not yet been filed.  The memo states:

“The proclamation does not apply to aliens who: are the beneficiaries of petitions that were filed prior to the effective date of the proclamation, are the beneficiaries of currently approved petitions, or are in possession of validly issued H-1B non-immigrant visas.”

Separately, late Saturday, September 20, 2025, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a memorandum to all Ports of Entry that states (bold from original):

“This Proclamation only applies prospectively to petitions that have not yet been filed.  It does not impact aliens who are the beneficiaries of currently approved petitions, any petitions filed prior to 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025, or aliens in possession of validly issued H-1B non-immigrant visas… The Proclamation does not impact the ability of any current visa holder to travel to or from the United States.  CBP will continue to process current H-1B visa holders in accordance with all existing policies and procedures.”

And on Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Department of State posted guidance, consistent with the guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance, stating:

This Proclamation does not:

• Apply to any previously issued H-1B visas, or any petitions submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025.
• Does not change any payments or fees required to be submitted in connection with any H-1B renewals. The fee is a one-time fee on submission of a new H-1B petition.
• Does not prevent any holder of a current H-1B visa from traveling in and out of the United States.

USCIS FAQ (Updated 09/21/2025)

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, USCIS published an H-1B FAQ on the Presidential Proclamation.

According to the FAQ, the $100,000 payment must accompany any new H-1B visa petitions submitted September 21 and later.

The FAQ states that the proclamation does not apply to any previously issued H-1B visas or petitions submitted prior to 12:01 am eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025.

It further states that this does not change payments or fees required for H-1B renewals.

USCIS UPDATES ON PAYMENTS OF $100K FEE AND EXCEPTIONS (Updated on 10/20/2025)

On Monday, October 20, 2025, USCIS posted an update that outlines how petitioners may pay the $100,000 fee and clarifies that proof of payment or evidence of an exception from the fee must be included with the I-129 petition submitted to USCIS.

On the USCIS H-1B Page, USCIS has updated their section on the payment under “Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” clarifying which cases the fee applies to and which cases are exempt.

USCIS clarifies that the fee applies to:

1. H-1Bs for Consular Processing, Port of Entry Notification, and Pre-Flight Inspection
2. H-1Bs for those who USCIS determines are ineligible for Change-of-Status, Amendment, or Extension of Stay

USCIS clarifies that the fee DOES NOT apply to:

1. Those with previously issued and currently valid H-1B visas and approval notices,
2. Petitions submitted prior to September 21, 2025,
3. Sponsorship of an employee within the U.S. for an H-1B Change-of-Status, H-1B Amendment, or H-1B Extension, and
4. Those who are beneficiaries of a Change-of-Status, Amendment, or Extension who subsequently depart the U.S. and apply for an H-1B Visa and/or seek to reenter the U.S. on a current H-1B visa.

H-1B sponsors/petitioners must include either proof of payment or proof of exemption at the time of filing.

USCIS has stated that exceptions to the $100k fee for H-1Bs for Consular Processing, Port of Entry and Pre-Flight Inspection cases may be granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security if the case meets a number of criteria.  Employers must submit supporting evidence to DHS to obtain an exception.

The following chart may help to understand the fee structure:

* Fee does not apply to petitions filed prior to September 21, 2025

**Consular Processing includes port-of-entry and pre-flight inspection notification cases.

IMPORTANT NOTE: International travel when H-1B petition is pending will negatively impact change-of-status petitions and may impact extension, amendment, and change of employer cases.  International travel while H-1B petition is highly discouraged.

LITIGATION AND COURT CHALLENGES (Updated on 10/16/2025)

On October 3, 2025 a coalition of labor unions, health care providers, schools, and religious organizations filed suit against Proclamation 10973. Read the complaint in Global Nurse Force et al v. Trump et al, Case # 3:25-cv-08454, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

On October 16, 2025, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against Proclamation 10973.  Read the U.S. Chamber of Commerce post and the complaint in Chamber of Commerce of The United States of America v. Trump et al, Case # 1:25-cv-03675, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

ISSS will continue to monitor the situation and update the Immigration Updates Page with information as it becomes available.

Register for the Conference on Global Learning 2025 | Online

• October 21st, 2025
• in COIL International Main

November 12-14, 2025 | Online | Visit the conference website for more information and registration!

The AAC&U Conference on Global Learning explores practical and theoretical approaches to global learning at the course, departmental, and institutional levels. This conference includes opportunities to examine tactics and strategies that make global learning experiences more inclusive.

• Click here for complete registration pricing.
• Need more information about the meeting? Meeting Details
• Questions about registration? Contact registration@aacu.org.
• To register three or more individuals from the same campus as a team, please contact the conference registration office at registration@aacu.org.
• Problems with login or creating an account? Contact support@aacu.org.
• If you are from a Low and Middle Income Country, you are eligible for a reduced rate. Please contact registration@aacu.org if you have questions.

By registering, I agree to the following conditions:

• Refunds will be provided for cancellations received in writing or via email to registration@aacu.org by October 15, 2025. A $125 processing fee will be deducted.
• No refunds will be made on any cancellations received after October 15, 2025.
• The Pay Later Option is NOT available after October 15, 2025. Any registrations with the Pay Later option submitted after October 15, 2025 will not be processed.
• Registrations are transferable within an institution at any time.
• My credit card will be charged for the correct (additional) registration rate if I select Team Registration, but am not part of a team of three or more individuals from the same campus.
• My name, title, and institution will be on the online meeting registration list that is available to all registrants. Email addresses or other contact information are not included. If you do not want your information included on this list, please contact our support team via e-mail registration@aacu.org.
• I understand that the AAC&U may record these virtual sessions, and by registering allow AAC&U permission to use these recordings.

Upon checkout, all registrants will receive a receipt for their registration. Please check your spam folder if the confirmation or invoice does not arrive in your inbox.

Beyond Borders: Thriving as an International Student at UA

• September 18th, 2025
• in Capstone International Services International Main

by Chinecherem Ezeihejafor | Higher Education Administration (PhD Student)

Arriving at The University of Alabama is an exciting milestone, but for international students, it can also bring unique challenges. From adjusting to a new academic system to navigating campus life, thriving at UA means more than just keeping up with coursework. It’s about building connections, prioritizing well-being, and creating your own Alabama story.

Finding Belonging

One of the most important steps in thriving as an international student is finding your place in the Crimson Tide community. Your perspective as an international student is a strength, so share it in class discussions, student organizations, and friendships. Belonging doesn’t mean choosing between your cultural identity and your UA home; it’s about embracing both.

Getting involved in multiple communities helps build a strong support network. Join the International Student Association, but also explore clubs, sports, or academic groups that align with your interests. And when opportunities come your way, either a football game, a study group, or even just coffee—say yes. Those small moments often lead to meaningful connections.

Taking Charge of Your Experience

Thriving at UA also means taking ownership of your journey: learn about campus resources before you need them, from the Writing Center to student services. Advocate for yourself by asking questions and seeking support when needed—professors and advisors want to help you succeed. And don’t forget to set healthy boundaries that balance your studies, social life, and personal needs.

Prioritizing Wellness

Adjusting to life at a new university can feel overwhelming at times. Homesickness, cultural differences, and visa stress are common, but you are not alone. UA’s Counseling Center offers support tailored for international students, and reaching out is a sign of strength. You can also connect with other international students to share how they are navigating immigration plans, processes, and policy changes, building both practical knowledge and a supportive community.

Wellness also means staying active and engaged. The Student Recreation Center offers fitness classes, sports, and activities that help students connect with one another. Many student organizations also plan recreational events for their members. Don’t overlook the value of taking time out with peers, whether that’s sharing a cultural meal, joining a group activity, or enjoying an occasional hangout when your schedule allows. These moments of connection can be just as important as academics in creating balance and fostering a sense of community. Alabama’s outdoors, from Lake Tuscaloosa to local parks, provides plenty of opportunities for walking, jogging, or simply enjoying nature. Together, these activities not only support your physical health but also help you feel grounded, connected, and at home during your time at UA.

Building Your Alabama Story

Graduate international students often juggle research, teaching, and coursework, making intentional self-care and community building especially important. Graduate organizations and faculty mentors can provide both support and guidance.

As you settle into life at UA, consider giving back, mentoring new students, volunteering during orientation events, or sharing your culture with the campus community. These contributions not only enrich your own journey but also strengthen the experience for future international students.

Moving Forward

Thriving as an international student at UA is not about leaving your culture behind; it’s about embracing it. It’s about integrating who you are with where you are, building resilience, and creating lasting connections. Every challenge you overcome and every friendship you build adds to the vibrant community that makes The University of Alabama stronger.

Your journey matters. Your well-being matters. And at UA, you have the support you need to succeed, not just academically, but personally.

Proposed Elimination of Duration-of-Status for F & J Visa Holders

• September 3rd, 2025
• in Capstone International Services

PROPOSED ELIMINATION OF DURATION-OF-STATUS FOR F & J VISA HOLDERS

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security published 90 FR 42070 a proposed rule to eliminate “duration of status.” Please note, this rule is not final and has not gone into effect and we do not recommend making decisions based solely on this proposed rule.

For more resources see: https://www.nafsa.org/dsproposal2025.

Below is a brief discussion of the rule making process and a high-level overview of the proposed rule:

Rule Making Process:

1. A proposed rule is published in the Federal Register and the public can comment (this is where we currently are). This period will end on September 29, 2025 for this rule.
2. DHS is required to review public comments and prepare a response to all substantive comments.
3. DHS sends either the same rule or the rule with changes to the OMB for review.
4. The OMB completes their review of the rule.
5. The final rule is published with an effective date.

Brief Overview of Proposed Rule

The new rule proposes to eliminate “duration of status” for individuals in F and J status. Currently, individuals in F and J statuses are admitted for “duration of status” which means they can remain in the United States if they are complying with their F or J regulations. There is not a fixed end date by which individuals in F or J status must depart the United States, rather this is tied to the individual’s Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 end-date.

The proposed rule would eliminate “duration of status” and replace it with a fixed end date of F or J status which is tied to their I-20 or DS-2019 end-date, not to exceed 4 years, plus a 30-day grace period. Individuals in F or J status would then need to file a formal extension of status request with USCIS in order to remain in the United States beyond their fixed end date.

Again, this is in the “Proposed Rule” stage. The public commentary period is open until September 29, 2025. All individuals can submit a comment regardless of immigration status, but please be aware that all submitted comments become public record. The final rule could have substantial changes or never take effect. This information is not law and is subject to change.

For the latest information on Regulatory Actions, please see the following resource: 

1. NAFSA: Association of International Educators – Executive and Regulatory Actions Page

Global Virtual Exchange Summit 2025

• June 6th, 2025
• in COIL

The Global Virtual Exchange Summit 2025 aims to provide a dynamic platform for thought-provoking discussions, innovative research, and collaborative solutions that address the evolving challenges and opportunities of leadership in the 21st century. By examining key themes that shape the future of education, industry, and global engagement, we aim to foster meaningful dialogue and actionable insights that will contribute to the development of future-ready graduates and responsible global citizens. The Summit will be conducted in a hybrid mode (online and offline in Hong Kong) (time zone: HKT) and will not be requiring registration fee.

This year’s Summit features five panels in English:

• Quality Intercultural Education for Future-Ready Graduates
• Digital Competencies for Future Leaders
• Global Citizenship in Interconnected World
• Virtual Exchange for Public Health Engagement and Sustainable Action
• Cross-Cultural Industry Engagement for Next Generation

Following the success of last year’s Summit with 682 participants from 48 countries and 83 speakers from 25 countries, your participation in this year’s Summit in July will be key to continuing our success.

Final Call for Abstract Submission: The deadline of abstract submission has been extended to 10 June, 2025 (HKT) (please click HERE).

Registration is FREE as the Summit is organized with the funding support of the Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) from the Education Bureau of HKSAR.

COIL Collaboration Matching Fair: Please click HERE.

For any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at sce_vec@hkbu.edu.hk or sce_rmo@hkbu.edu.hk.