Post-Inauguration Immigration Panel FAQ

Please refer to this page to read the frequently asked questions and find resources regarding our most recent panel held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 with WR Immigration via Zoom webinar. See the presentation slides from WR Immigration for your reference.

Please note: The answers on the FAQ are current to 01/29/2025 and are subject to change at anytime due to the nature of the subject and the new administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1) What is the policy for international students and scholars when entering the US? Will it be stricter? Is there a travel ban in place?

At this time, we are not able to provide specific guidance on whether or not to travel internationally, as there are no specific executive orders regarding travel restrictions. Regarding your travel plans, we are unable to provide specific advice but strongly recommend that students and scholars make informed decisions about their travel. Please note that all existing travel and re-entry requirements remain in effect. Students and scholars who do decide to travel internationally should follow our published instructions at:

2) Do I need to report my change of address?

F-1 and J-1 status holders are required to update their address through MyBruin International Portal within 10 days of moving.

3) Do I need to carry a document confirming my legal status when going out of campus every day?

As an international student and scholar at UCLA, you are generally not required to carry a document confirming your legal status within the immediate surrounding areas of UCLA. However, you are required to carry a government-issued ID (e.g., state ID or driver’s license) at all times. If you do not have one of these forms of ID, it is recommended that you carry your passport with you. It is also highly advised to keep your immigration documents on hand, especially when traveling outside the immediate UCLA area, in case you are stopped by immigration or law enforcement authorities. Keep in mind that cities like San Diego have additional border patrol checkpoints, and you will need to show your immigration documents if stopped for inspection while traveling to or from a border city.

4) You recommended against travelling abroad in the next 60 days, does this include travel to Mexico & Canada?

5) Do you anticipate significant delays in processing times under the new administration?

Regarding potential additional delays, the university is unable to determine the specific reasons behind these actions, as Federal Government agencies do not share such information with our office. Various factors could contribute to further questioning, such as immigration history, areas of study or research, travel to other countries, academic or research background in the home country, and more.

F-1 Visa Related Questions

1) Can F-1 students still apply for OPT for temporary work?

At this time, there are no changes in regulation to off-campus employment authorizations. F-1 students who are eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT Extension, please visit https://internationalcenter.ucla.edu/f-1-students/currently-enrolled for more specific information.

2) Any traveling suggestions for students on OPT/STEM OPT?

To re-enter the U.S. with F-1 status while on OPT or STEM OPT Extension, these are the required documents (but not limited to):

Valid passport
Valid F-1 visa
Valid OPT or STEM OPT I-20 endorsed for travel (each travel signature is valid for 6 months)
Valid EAD card
Employment offer or verification letter

3) Can F-1 students stay in the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa?

F-1 students can remain with expired F-1 visa as long as they valid I-20 with continuous full-time enrollment including in-person courses.

4) What should I do if my F-1 visa application is being delayed?

Our understanding is that the administrative processing is a multi-layered security and background check by the U.S. State Department through domestic/global intelligence agencies, FBI, Interpol, local/state law enforcement agencies, etc., for the reasons of national security. We understand the anxiety and challenges that students experience; unfortunately, we are unable to expedite this process, and the U.S. State Department does not provide specific timelines to visa applicants or school officials.

*If you will be unable to arrive to the U.S. on time for your academic program, we would suggest contacting your academic department for your future academic plans.

J-1 Visa Related Questions

1) Will UCLA still be able to provide J-1 visa sponsorship for students and scholars?

Yes, there are currently no changes to immigration policy pertaining to the J-1 visa program.

2) Does the proposal for extreme vetting in the recent executive order impact the extension process for DS-2019s?

No, the extension process for DS-2019s remains the same. DS-2019 extensions are processed by the designated UCLA visa office and does not involve review from government units such as the USDOS or DHS.

3) I am no longer subject to the 212(e) 2 year home residency requirement due to the recent skills list update in December 2024. Will the skills list revert back to the previous skills list under the new administration?

No, the updated skills list still applies. The new skills list was implemented under the Biden administration and is still in effect under the current administration.

4) Am I still eligible for Academic Training?

Yes, if you are a J-1 degree seeking or exchange student at UCLA, you are still eligible for Academic Training. There are currently no changes to immigration policy pertaining to Academic Training.

5) I plan to travel abroad and I will need to renew my J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy because it has expired. Will I still be able to apply for a J-1 visa renewal?

Yes, there are currently no changes to immigration policy pertaining to the J-1 visa renewal process.

Employment -Based Related Questions

1) Are we anticipating any changes or delays in the H-1B renewal process?

There have been no official changes to H-1B visa processes with the new administration as of yet. It is possible that there will be more Requests for Evidence that may slow cases down, for both initial cases and renewal cases. For those applying for visas at the embassy/consulate, there is a concern about increased administrative processing, that is, increased background checks. This could lead to major delays (months or longer) in certain cases. Immigration attorneys are warning clients not to take unnecessary trips, if possible.

2) What will be the legal challenges for Trump's administration to change H1B visa rules?

Specifying legal challenges would be speculative at this time. It is unlikely that any change to H-1B rules will happen very quickly. Such changes have to be pushed through Congress and through the agencies, and they would be controversial, so the process would not be fast.

3) Is the Trump administration in support of H1B work visas?

This issue is not yet clear. President Trump attempted to restrict the H-1B program in various ways during his first administration. During December 2024, reports indicated that he stated about the H-1B category, I have always been in favor of the visas … I have many H-1B visas on my properties.” "I have many H-1B visas on my properties. "I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times." "It’s a great program."

4) How do you anticipate the sponsorships policy for H1-B to change?

No change in sponsorship policy is anticipated at UCLA.

5) Will there be an impact on green card applications if we get hired for a tenure track position in the UC system?

There have been no official changes to employment based permanent resident processes with the new administration as of yet. Any statement about impact would be speculative.