Originally published: April 24, 2020
Updated: June 23, 2020

UC Davis Students and Scholars with Current Nonimmigrant Visas are Not Affected

Dear UC Davis international students and scholars,

On April 22, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation, effective April 23, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (ET), restricting entry into the United States for certain immigrants.

The first thing we want you to know is that this proclamation does not affect Legal Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card holders), or those who currently have a nonimmigrant visa such as F-1, J-1, TN, E-3, O-1 or H1-B. It is our understanding that the processing of petitions such as Forms I-140 (the petition for alien workers) and I-485 (adjustment of status to LPR for individuals in the US) are not affected by the proclamation.

This proclamation restricts entry of immigrants who: were outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation (April 23, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. ET); do not have an approved immigrant visa that is valid on the effective date; and do not have an official travel document (such as a passport or advance parole document, etc.) by the time they seek entry or admission.

Our Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) office helps you maintain these visas during the duration of your time with us, and we’re here to answer your questions about this topic and others. While students and scholars with those visas are not banned from U.S. entry, there is more to this order that we want you to understand.

You may know that COVID-19 had already caused the U.S. State Department to suspend the processing of new visas. The new proclamation makes clear that medical personnel (including researchers working on COVID-19-related issues), agricultural workers, and emergency visas are among those that will continue to be processed by U.S. consular offices and embassies, but that those offices will also suspend all other visa processing in accordance with the proclamation.

If you are the spouse or child of an LPR seeking LPR status, you are also not affected. Asylum seekers are also not included in this ban. There are other groups that are also exempt from this proclamation. We encourage you to review the proclamation and to contact your SISS Advisor with questions or concerns.  

This proclamation is valid for 60 days, but there may be additional restrictions recommended that affect non-immigrants. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated on any changes.

At UC Davis, we hold the values of acceptance and cultural diversity in the highest regard. Unequivocally, we support our students and scholars, and we value your contributions to UC Davis, the state of California, the United States, and the world. Our commitment to international students and scholars remains firm.

We are here to support you. If you are an international student or scholar with questions or concerns about this executive order, please contact SISS by getting in touch with your SISS Advisor. You can find your advisor through the staff directory on the SISS website, or students should email siss@ucdavis.edu and scholars should email sissscholar@ucdavis.edu for help.

Sincerely,

Joanna Regulska
Vice Provost and Associate Chancellor
Global Affairs

Wesley Young
Services for International Students and Scholars Director
Global Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions:

Am I affected by the proclamation to limit entry of immigrants into the United States?
Legal Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card holders), or those who currently have a nonimmigrant visa such as F-1, J-1, TN, E-3, O-1 or H1-B are not affected by this proclamation. This proclamation restricts the entry of certain immigrants coming from outside the U.S. UC Davis students and scholars work with our Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) office to help maintain these visas during the duration of your time with us, and SISS remains ready to help answer your questions about this topic and others. Please know that students and scholars with those visas are not banned from U.S. entry. That being said, there is more to this order that we want you to understand.

If I left the country and wish to return to the U.S., can I come back for the summer and fall?
Although there are existing travel restrictions associated with COVID-19, this presidential proclamation does not impact current visa holders from returning to the country. If you are a student who returned home for Spring Quarter or a scholar who left the country and wish to return, this proclamation does not restrict you in any additional way. Please be aware that you may be subject to a 14-day quarantine or other requirements, but rest assured you are not impacted by this proclamation.

I’m a new student or scholar who is planning to come to UC Davis soon. Am I affected by this proclamation?
You may know that COVID-19 had already caused the U.S. State Department to suspend the routine visa processing. The new proclamation makes clear that medical personnel (including researchers working on COVID-19-related issues), agricultural workers, and emergency visas are among those that will continue to be processed by U.S. consular offices and embassies, but that those offices will also suspend all other visa processing in accordance with the proclamation.  Students and scholars who still have not obtained a nonimmigrant visa (such as F-1, J-1, TN, E-3, O-1 or H1-B), should be monitoring local U.S. consulate websites and be prepared to submit a visa application as soon as consulates begin taking visa appointments again.

How long will these restrictions last?
This proclamation is valid for 60 days, but there may be additional restrictions recommended that affect nonimmigrants. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated on any changes. Please see the updated information in our announcement, dated June 23, 2020.

Will there be additional restrictions as part of this proclamation?
At this time, we aren’t sure, but it’s possible that there may be additional restrictions recommended that affect nonimmigrants. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated on any changes.

Can I still be sponsored for a Green Card?
Yes. This proclamation does not impact your ability to pursue a Green Card if you are already in the U.S.