Using U-M Football to Help International Students Feel at Home in Ann Arbor
The September 28th edition of the University Record included an article describing the International Center's American Football 101 program.
International Community
University of Michigan Comment on Proposed H-1B Fee
On August 25, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule, Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions, that would impose an additional $103,265 filing fee on all cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those eligible for the advanced-degr
District Court Postpones Implementation of DHS Final Rule Eliminating Duration of Status for F and J Nonimmigrants
On September 14, 2026, a federal district court in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction postponing the effective date of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that would replace the admission of F and J nonimmigrants for the duration of status with fixed periods of admissions.
State Department Resumes Immigrant Visa Interviews and Processing
9/23/2026
- On 9/10/26, the Department of State issued an official "cable" instructing U.S. embassies and consulates to immediately resume the processing and issuance of immigrant visas.
8/26/2026
Change in USCIS Adjudication Policy
On August 5th, 2026, USCIS announced a new policy intended to reduce frivolous immigration benefits requests. Under this new policy, USCIS adjudicators can now deny a petition or application without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if all required evidence is not included or if a benefit requestor fails to demonstrate eligibility for a benefit.
Duration of Status (D/S) final rule: Overview and FAQs
An overview, an FAQ for F-1 Students, and an FAQ for J-1 students and scholars regarding the new DHS rule eliminating Duration of Status are now available on the International Center website.
U.S. Department of State Realigns Visa Operations In Africa
Effective August 1, 2026, the Department of State will transfer routine visa services from Antananarivo, Abuja, Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou, and Windhoek to regional visa hubs.
Duration of Status (D/S) final rule published on Friday, July 17, 2026
Please note that this rule did not take effect on September 15, 2026, as previously scheduled, due to a preliminary injunction by a federal district judge.
Movement on the Duration of Status (D/S) Final Rule
The Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has completed its review of the proposed rule on Duration of Status. The rule is now designated as “consistent with change”, meaning that some changes were made during the review. We do not know yet what those changes entail nor how they will impact international students and scholars.