ÂÜÀòÉç

Updated 06/19/2025

After halting F, J, and M visa appointments for nearly a month, the US Department of State announced on June 18 that embassies and consulates will resume scheduling visa appointments and processing visas. 

In the announcement, the State Department indicated that visa applicants would be subject to increased scrutiny including review of social media accounts. Visa applicants already must disclose social media accounts on their DS-160, ahead of the visa interview appointment. However, new State Department procedures require applicants to "unlock" all social media accounts for government review. This means that account access must be set to "public." 

In preparation for future visa application appointments, new ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn students are encouraged to review the updated information published at the OIA Visa Interview Guidance page. 

Updated 06/05/2025

The Trump Administration issued a new Presidential Proclamation on June 4, 2025 ordering travel bans affecting 19 countries. This includes a "full" travel ban on 12 countries as well as a "partial" ban on an additional 7 countries. 

Effective Date: The Travel Ban will go into effect on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Countries included in the travel bans: Nineteen countries in total are subject to the travel bans, "suspending entry into the United States" of citizens of those countries "as immigrants or non-immigrants." This includes F-1 international students as well as J-1 students and scholars. The list of the 19 countries included in the travel bans is as follows:

• Afghanistan
• Burma
• Burundi
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Cuba
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela
• Yemen 

Importantly, the proclamation also states that "no immigrant or non-immigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of this proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to this proclamation." It follows that individuals present in the United States prior to the travel ban taking effect on June 9th will remain in lawful immigration status and be eligible to continue their education, employment, research, and other endeavors. Accordingly, the OIA will continue processing CPT and OPT requests for all eligible students. 

The OIA is closely monitoring developments and we are anticipating possible updates in the coming days. 

Updated 06/19/2025

F-1 Student Guidelines for International Travel
The OIA urges caution regarding international travel for international students and scholars. Those who must travel are strongly encouraged to maintain updated knowledge regarding travel requirements and restrictions as these are subject to change with little warning. 

On June 4th, the US Department of State announced official travel bans affecting 19 countries (please see update, above). These bans directly restrict entry to the USA for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars who are citizens of the 19 specified countries. Furthermore, the OIA is aware that, according to reliable and reputable news sources, the government may be planning to expand travel restrictions to include additional countries in the near future. 

With so much uncertainty, it is challenging to speculate with accuracy about what might, or might not, take place in the future. Therefore, the OIA is urging caution and patience regarding international travel. 

International students and scholars are strongly advised to adhere to established requirements and guidance when finalizing travel plans:

• Ensure that your required documentation is in order before the date of your return to the USA
  • A current passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity from the date of your return
  • A current, unexpired visa
  • A current and valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019
• Keep in mind that
  • Travel restrictions may change with little warning. It is good practice to check updates regularly as your date of return to the USA approaches.
  • When purchasing airfare, consider the need for flexibility. It is good to have airfare that enables you to make changes or cancellations, or which is refundable. Unexpected changes to travel restrictions may disrupt even the best-laid travel plans.
• The OIA is committed to communicating directly, and as quickly as possible, with the ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn international community of students and scholars if any changes affecting F-1 and/or J-1 visa holders are formally announced by the US government. 

Government Resources for Consideration 

It is possible that individuals entering the USA will be subject to increased scrutiny at US ports of entry. According to recent developments, we know that visa applicants are being subjected to "social media vetting" and that non-immigrants entering the USA may be subject to increased vetting at ports of entry. This includes the possibility that individuals may be routed through secondary inspection. In secondary inspection, border officers may search travelers' electronic devices (including phones and laptops). Please review the following government sources for additional details:  

• US Department of State page:
• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) page:

Considerations For OPT Students 

• If you plan to apply for OPT, please note that you must be physically present in the USA at the time of your application. OPT applications cannot be submitted from abroad.
• In addition to the passport, visa, and I-20, OPT and STEM OPT students are also advised to travel with their EAD and a verification letter from their employer. The letter should verify that the employer is aware of the student's travel and anticipates their return in order to resume OPT employment. 

Please contact the OIA if you have questions about any of these considerations. 

GLACIER Tax Prep Software 

The OIA is thrilled to make the special announcement that GLACIER Tax Preparation Software is now available to ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn international students and scholars, free of charge! 

What is GLACIER Tax Prep?

GLACIER Tax Prep is a web-based tax return preparation system designed primarily for nonresident alien students, scholars, trainees, researchers, and other educational visa holders. GLACIER Tax Prep will ask you questions, then prepare the tax forms that apply to you so that you can print, review, sign and mail the tax return and/or other forms to the IRS.
The OIA has licensed access to GLACIER Tax Prep to assist ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn international students and scholars in preparing required income tax returns. GLACIER Tax Prep is provided to you for your convenience. You are not required to use GLACIER Tax Prep to prepare your U.S. federal income tax return. The OIA does not provide tax advice and therefore disclaims all liability from the misinterpretation or misuse of GLACIER Tax Prep.

GLACIER Access

ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn international students and scholars can . Please note, the page is shared by the ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn OIA and the Ann Arbor International Center. Follow instructions on the page to create your free GLACIER account. 

Additional Tax Resources

Students and scholars can find additional tax resources at the Work as an International Student page. These include:

• Information about upcoming webinars and workshops
• Links to external resources
• The OIA tax info presentation, Tax Time

Updated February, 2025

How Can F-1 International Students Identify and Avoid Scams?

Unfortunately, scammers often target international students. Under false pretenses, scammers often pretend to be a government agent or a prospective employer in order to trick international students into making payments, sharing sensitive documents, or revealing personal information. Students must be vigilant. Therefore, the OIA has prepared the following information to assist students in identifying and avoiding scams. 

Identifying Suspicious Email 

All students need to be vigilant and careful to avoid becoming targets of scams. Students can learn about how to identify scams and suspicious communications on the ÂÜÀòÉç Safe Computing page about . 

Immigration Scams 

International students should always be suspicious of unexpected communications from government officials. If you ever receive a phone call or email from someone claiming to be a government official, demanding money and threatening deportation, do not engage. End the communication and contact the OIA immediately. Here are a few tips and read flags that will help you identify scammers: 

• Government agencies such as ICE or USCIS will never contact international students by phone or email
• Government agencies will never demand payment via phone
• A US government agent from DHS will never threaten your family or friends with deportation or criminal charges
• A real agent will never try to deliberately intimidate or scare you
• Major Red Flags:
  • If the caller demands payment in the form of gift cards
  • If the caller tells you that "you are not allowed to speak with anyone about your case" 

If you receive a worrisome communication, please do not hesitate to contact the OIA. The OIA will be able to evaluate the situation and provide you with advice and assistance. 

Employment Scams 

International students are often targeted by scammers who make false offers of employment. Here are some tips to help students identify fraud before it is too late: 

• Always be suspicious of unsolicited offers of employment
  • You will not be offered jobs for which you have not applied
  • Scammers make random offers of employment hoping that the surprising and seemingly good news will trick students into revealing sensitive information
• Employers will never require payment in order to be able to complete an offer of employment
  • This is a major red flag which should cause you to question the legitimacy of the job offer
• Scammers will sometimes impersonate ÂÜÀòÉç email addresses, making it seem that he communication is coming from a real ÂÜÀòÉç professor or staff
  • If you receive an unusual and unsolicited communication from a ÂÜÀòÉç professor or staff, always follow up directly with that individual to confirm the legitimacy of the communication
  • Contact the individual directly, do not reply to the suspicious email or notify the OIA to contact the individual on your behalf
• Be suspicious of receiving payment via email for work that you have not completed
  • This is very unusual and should raise alarm
  • Scammers will use a false payment to gain access to students' bank account information
  • If receiving unexpected payment via email, always confirm validity before trying to deposit into your bank account 

We hope that this information will help students be vigilant in identifying fraud and scams. If ever in doubt, contact the OIA for help!