International Travel Advisory
03/19/2025. As you may be aware, there are reports that federal restrictions affecting travel for citizens of dozens of countries could be imposed in the near future. In addition, anecdotal and media reports indicate that international students and other nonimmigrant visa holders have been detained at U.S. ports of entry, even if they have valid documentation of their status.
Although no travel restrictions are in place at of this time, in light of developing trends and in anticipation of formal restrictions, the VISA Office strongly cautions all members of our international community to avoid travel outside the United States, unless absolutely required. If you do choose to travel, please be aware that there is a significant risk of delays or detention at ports of entry.
If you have any questions, and especially if you encounter any difficulties in obtaining a visa or entering the U.S., please email visa@case.edu or call 216-368-6964.
Registration Requirement
03.03.2025 On February 25, USCIS announced that it will begin to enforce a registration requirement that has been part of U.S. law since WWII, but seldom enforced. It applies to all foreign nationals in the US aged 14 or older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a US visa and who will remain in the US for 30 or more days. Failure to register is a federal misdemeanor and could subject an individual to criminal penalties and/or imprisonment. However, permanent residents (and those with pending applications), nonimmigrants who entered on an I-94 and/or have received a nonimmigrant visa, and individuals who have received an Employment Authorization Document (EADs), among others, are considered to have registered already.
The law also requires foreign nationals to carry evidence of registration with them. Such evidence can include passports, I-94s, visa stamps, EADs, Permanent Resident cards, I-485 receipts, etc. The VISA Office strongly recommends that members of our international community have appropriate documents with them AT ALL TIMES, not just when traveling.
Foreign nationals are also required to report a change of residential address within 10 days. Current international students must report changes of address in SIS; international scholars, faculty, and staff must report a change of address to the VISA Office so we can update SEVIS records or advise you of procedures to change your address with USCIS, as appropriate.
You can find additional information on these requirements at https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration and https://www.nafsa.org/professional-resources/browse-by-interest/requirements-carry-immigration-registration-document-and-report-change. If you have any questions, please contact the VISA Office at visa@case.edu or make an appointment with the VISA Director.
Change in Visa Interview (Dropbox) Appointments
2.18.2025. The U.S. Department of State has revised the eligibility for dropbox appointments for visa renewals at U.S. consular posts. Effective immediately, dropbox eligibility is limited to applicants renewing a visa in the same nonimmigrant classification that expired within the past 12 months.
This change could have implications for nonimmigrant visa holders who previously relied on the dropbox processing for visa renewals, including increased demand for in-person visa appointments and longer wait times for interview scheduling, particularly in high-volume locations.
The VISA Office recommends that if you are planning to apply for a renewed visa abroad, you should: a) Confirm your eligibility before your scheduled appointment, as consulates are reportedly denying applications for those whose prior visa expired more than 12 months before, or whose visa was in a different category; and b) Plan for potential delays in visa issuance.