College Hall

Visas and Immigration Applications

F-1 and J-1 Students and Scholars

It is imperative that F-1 and J-1 students and scholars closely follow the travel guidance the University has compiled:

If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and have any questions about this guidance, please contact your Office of International Engagement advisor for assistance. Do not travel without the required documentation in hand.

International Employees

The University Counsel at Montclair State University provides expert immigration advising, immigration application processing, and cultural adjustment services for employees starting or continuing work in a variety of immigration categories, including but not limited to: H-1B, O-1, F-1, J-1, E-3, TN, and Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).

If you are an employee or a dependent of an employee whose immigration petition was sponsored by the University, it is imperative that you closely follow the travel guidance the university has compiled for you:

If you have questions about this information or need guidance for an immigration category not listed above, please contact Elizabeth Gill, Director of International Employment and Immigration, in the Office of University Counsel. Do not travel without the required documentation in hand.

For more information regarding employment-based immigration categories, visit the University’s International Employment pages.

Travel Advisories

Travel Advisories Related to Executive Orders/Proclamations

Travel Bans 4.0 and 3.0 Revoked by President Biden on January 20, 2021

“Rescission of Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983
Last Updated: March 10, 2021
On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation titled “Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States.” This proclamation ends the travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983 that had suspended entry into the United States of certain nationals, based on visa type, from Burma, Eritrea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Following the Department’s review, immigrant visa (IV) applicants who were previously refused due to either P.P. 9645 or 9983 and were determined not to qualify for a waiver before January 20, 2020, may reapply for a visa by submitting a new visa application (DS-260) and paying a new visa application processing fee. In the alternative, IV applicants refused due to either P.P. 9645 or 9983 who were determined not to qualify for a waiver on or after January 20, 2020, may request their local embassy or consulate to reconsider their case within one year of the date of their waiver refusal without submitting a new application or paying a new visa application processing fee, consistent with Department regulations. IV applicants who were refused due to either P.P. 9645 or 9983 and whose eligibility for a waiver was still being evaluated as of January 20, 2021, will continue to have their applications processed. Embassies and consulates are prioritizing the adjudication of applications for those individuals who, as of January 20, 2021, were awaiting an outcome from the P.P. 9645/9983 waiver process.
Nonimmigrant visa applicants who were previously refused due to either P.P. 9645 or 9983 and did not qualify for a waiver will need to submit a new visa application (DS-160) and pay a new visa application processing fee if they wish to reapply for a visa.
Pursuant to President Biden’s proclamation, the Department can immediately process visa applications for individuals from the affected countries. Please note that the rescission of P.P.s 9645 and 9983 does not necessarily mean that your local U.S. embassy or consulate is able to immediately schedule all affected applicants for visa interviews. The resumption of routine visa services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, prioritized after services to U.S. citizens, will occur on a post-by-post basis, consistent with the Department’s guidance for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities. U.S. Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to do so as they are able. Applicants, including those previously denied due to P.P. 9645 or 9983, should consult the website of their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to determine if their case qualifies for expedited processing. As post-specific conditions improve, our missions will begin providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services. Please see here for more information on the phased resumption of visa services.”

Travel Related to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

If you are an undocumented person (regardless of whether you currently have permission to travel abroad through advance parole), please speak to a licensed, experienced immigration attorney before making any travel plans. Among many options, CUNY CLEAR is an excellent resource for free legal services and guidance.

Travel Guidelines for International Montclair State Community Members

If you are a student, scholar, or employee sponsored by Montclair State University, please also review the travel guidance specific to your immigration category: