Registration, Documentation, and Changes of Address
4.15.2025. Late last week, the Department of Homeland Security implemented its Registration requirement and reminded foreign nationals in the United States that they must register with DHS within 30 days of 4/11/2025 or within thirty days of entry thereafter if they entered without evidence of registration, or within 30 days after a child's 14th birthday, even if they were previously registered. Remember that if you entered the US with a valid visa or I-94, you are considered to be registered, unless you are a child turning 14 while in the US.
Please also note that US immigration law requires any foreign national 18 or older who is required to register must carry evidence of registration with them AT ALL TIMES. This can include a Permanent Resident Card, EAD, or copies of I-94, I-20, or DS-2019. See the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration for additional information.
Failure to register or carry evidence of registration is considered a misdemeanor and can result in fines of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 30 days.
Finally, US immigration law also requires foreign nationals in the US--including U.S. permanent residents--to report any changes of address with ten days of the move. In addition to being a misdemeanor with the possible penalties noted above, failure to report a change of address is also an offense which can result in removal (deportation) from the US. See https://www.nafsa.org/professional-resources/browse-by-interest/requirements-carry-immigration-registration-document-and-report-change
NOTE: Active F-1 and J-1 students should report both their US physical address and mailing address in SIS within 10 days of any change, and that change will be made in SEVIS. J-1 scholars must report any changes of address to the VISA Office to be updated in SEVIS. All other foreign nationals must report any change of address to USCIS online at https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange.
News Reports of SEVIS Termination & Visa Revocation
4.4.2025. It has been reported that the U.S. State Department is using AI to screen social media of international students and others for protest-related content and criticism of the federal government, and using such information as grounds for visa revocation.
In addition, there are reports that ICE is conducting background checks on international students and terminating the SEVIS records of international students. The VISA Office is monitoring SEVIS daily for any unexpected changes in status.
Please contact the VISA Office at visa@case.edu if you have questions.
H-1B Lottery
3.31.2025. Although CWRU is exempt from the H-1B cap, some of our international students who are graduating this year and planning to work for H-1B cap-subject employers should be aware USCIS announced today that they have received enough electronic registrations for unique beneficiaries during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year 2026 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). If you are the beneficiary of an H-1B cap registration filed by a potential employer, please contact them to learn if your registration was selected. For additional information, visit https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations/h-1b-cap-season.
Travel Advisory Update
The following email was distributed to the campus community on 3.25.2025:
To the Case Western Reserve University community,
As you may be aware, there are reports that federal restrictions affecting travel for citizens of dozens of countries could be implemented 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 as of this time, in light of developing trends and in anticipation of formal restrictions, Case Western Reserve University’s 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.
In addition, in line with CWRU’s 2021 policy, all faculty must pre-register any university-related international travel with the Office of International Affairs. Doing so helps the university assist in the event of an emergency during travel and provide guidance on complying with applicable laws, and allows faculty to register for the university’s medical emergency insurance policy, among other benefits.
We will continue to update the university community as information becomes available; for now, we encourage all international students, faculty, staff and postdocs to stay up to date on travel policies and procedures by visiting the VISA Office website and subscribing to VISA News for any information. Do not rely on rumors or social media for your travel information.
If you have any questions, and especially if you encounter any difficulties in obtaining a visa or entering the U.S., please reach out to the VISA Office at visa@case.edu or call 216.368.6964.
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.