Welcome to 2026! The staff of the International Center is excited to welcome you back to campus for a new term. The International Center is committed to serving U-M international students, scholars, and employees. Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, we’re glad you’re part of the U-M international community.
The International Center will be closed to visitors for the Term Break from 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, until 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Staff will be available remotely until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and during regular business hours on Friday, January 2, 2026.
On December 3, 2025, the Department of State announced that it will start conducting "online presence" reviews for individuals applying for H-1B and H-4 visa stamps, effective December 15, 2025.
International students and scholars: Watch this video for information about the F/J visa application process. It explains what happens during the visa interview so you will know what to expect and are prepared for this process.
In most cases, international students and scholars have been able to enter the U.S. Port of Entry (POE) without delay after a primary (or basic) inspection. However, if the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the POE cannot quickly verify your eligibility for admission to the United States, you may be directed to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.”
For many years, institutions that host J-1 Exchange Visitors have been required to report serious situations involving J-1/J-2 exchange visitors to the Department of State. J-1 Exchange Visitors at U-M include both J-1 students and J-1 scholars.
Media outlets are reporting that the U.S. Department of State has temporarily paused making new visa appointments available for F and J students and scholars until it issues further guidance on an expansion of social media screening and vetting of student and scholar visa applicants. Reports say this pause does not affect those who have already scheduled interviews.
The University of Michigan has not received an official announcement about this from the State Department.
In mid-May, the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program began to send some F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) a letter titled “Student and Exchange Visitor Program: Notice of Failure to Report Optional Practical Training Employer and Exceeding Permissible Period of Unemployment." This letter advises students they’ve “been participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) for more than 90 days but have not reported any employer information.” The notice states: “If your SEVIS record is not updated within 15 days of the date of this notice, SEVP w