ISSS sent the following email on May 31, 2025 to incoming international students.

Hello from the University of Oregon,

You may have seen news reports that the US Department of State issued a pause on scheduling new visa appointments for F and J visas. Our office, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) has seen the same reports and would like to provide information and considerations for our new international students planning to enroll this fall. Please know the University of Oregon is committed to providing you with as much support as possible through this process.

According to news reports, the US Department of State sent a message to embassies and consulates that said, “[e]ffective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued … which we anticipate in the coming days.”

Recent comments from the Dept of State seem to assure that the pause will be brief and end in days rather than "weeks or months." They are encouraging applicants to continue submitting applications and to check regularly for the resumption of appointment availability.

If you already scheduled a visa appointment and it has now been canceled, please report this to our office at intl@uoregon.edu with the following information:

• Your name and UOID
• Date of visa appointment
• Date you were notified your visa appointment was canceled

Some other recommendations:

• If you have a scheduled visa appointment that has not been canceled, please keep your appointment and notify us about your visa decision.
• If a previously scheduled visa appointment has been canceled, please reschedule your visa appointment as soon as you can.
• If you can only get a visa appointment date after the start of fall term (September 29), go ahead and confirm the appointment. Once you are within 60 days of the start of fall term, you can request an emergency visa appointment for an earlier date.
• Continue with the I-20 process if it is not complete yet and be prepared with all documentation to book a visa appointment.
• Continue with your pre-arrival requirements.
• Should your arrival for fall term be delayed due to the visa delays, reach out to your graduate program for deferral or late start options.

The UO has been and will continue to be supportive of international students during this time. We have been offering access to various resources to our current students, including timely communication, legal referrals, and community support. We remain a welcoming place for all students, and we will work to make your experience here successful and safe. We are committed to your arrival this fall and will provide updates as we receive them. Please stay connected with ISSS whenever you need additional information and support.

Sincerely,

Becky Crabtree

DirectorInternational Student Services

Division of Global Engagement