International Student and Scholar

Updated Guidance for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

On August 12, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a broadcast message to Designated School Officials (DSOs) reminding them of their liability regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations. SEVP then issued an additional broadcast message on August 24, 2026, with additional guidance regarding CPT authorizations.

Support and Resources for International Community Members Affected by the Nepal-Tibet Floods

The staff of the International Center would like to express our sympathy and concern for U-M international students, scholars, and employees affected by the recent flooding in Nepal and Gyirong County, Tibet, China. Our thoughts are with you, your families, and friends.

State Department Temporarily Pauses Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwide

Immigrant visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad are being cancelled due to a temporary pause imposed by the State Department. The pause applies only to immigrant visa interviews. Non-immigrant visa applicants (F, J, H-1B for example) are not affected.
Green card applicants who are already in the U.S. in a non-immigrant status typically do not apply for an immigrant visa sticker as part of the application process. Instead, they complete the process by applying for an Adjustment of Status with USCIS.

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

On Friday, July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final rule in the Federal Register to end “duration of status” (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants.

District Court Sets Aside USCIS Adjudication Pause

On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that USCIS’s Benefits Hold Policy, the Global Asylum Hold Policy, the Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and the Country-Specific Factors Policy are unlawful, discriminatory, and beyond USCIS’s authority.

USCIS announces it will grant Adjustment of Status only in extraordinary circumstances

On 5/22/2026 USCIS announced a new Policy Memorandum related to the final step of the green card application process.

Now Hiring: International Center Summer Orientation Peer Advisors

The International Center (IC) is currently hiring Summer Orientation Peer Advisors (SOPA) to support new international students who will begin their studies at the University of Michigan (U-M) - Ann Arbor the Fall 2026 semester.

Through this position, you can expect to improve your communication skills, gain leadership experience, and assist new international students as they adjust to life in Ann Arbor. You may even make some new friends along the way!

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