J-1 U.S. Entry Restrictions
Source: https://oia.osu.edu/scholars/j-1-visiting-scholars/j-1-us-entry-restrictions Parent: https://oia.osu.edu/
The following information pertains to Ohio State F-1 and J-1 international students, J-1 visiting scholars and H-1B employees.
The presidential proclamation that took effect Monday, June 9, 2025 has been updated and further expands the list of countries that suspends entry into the United States for certain nationals of 38 designated countries. The proclamation is effective on January 1, 2026.\ \ Ohio State is reviewing this federal action and remains committed to supporting our international students and scholars. Visa decisions are made solely by the U.S. government, and Ohio State does not have any role in that process.
Who is affected?
- Full Ban (19 countries): Nationals of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso*, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos*, Libya, Mali*, Niger*, Sierra Leone*, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan*, Syria* and Yemen are subject to a full ban suspending entry into the United States under both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories. (Countries marked with an * are the newly added countries. Laos and Sierra Leone have been changed from the previous partial restrictions list to the full restrictions list. Additionally, individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents also face full restrictions.)
- Partial Ban (19 countries): Nationals of Angola*, Antigua and Barbuda*, Benin*, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire*, Cuba, Dominica*, Gabon*, The Gambia*, Malawi*, Mauritania*, Nigeria*, Senegal*, Tanzania*, Togo, Tonga*, Venezuela, Zambia* and Zimbabwe* are subject to a partial ban suspending entry into the United States under specific visa types, including student and exchange visas (F, M, and J categories) and B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2 visas (business/tourist categories). (Countries marked with an * are the newly added countries. The only exception to the “partial” suspension list of countries is Turkmenistan, where the Proclamation of December 16, 2025 keeps the suspension on entry by immigrants but lifts the suspension on entry by nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.)
- The proclamation primarily affects individuals from the listed countries who are outside the United States and do not have a valid visa on January 1, 2026.
- Individuals who are already inside the United States, or those outside the United States who hold valid visas issued prior to this date, are generally not subject to the ban.
- Additional exceptions may apply for permanent residents, dual nationals, refugees, asylees, certain diplomatic categories and select participants involved in the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
USCIS “Hold and Review” policy
The U.S. government has directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to temporarily pause final decisions on many immigration benefit applications filed by certain nationals of the 38 designated countries subject to U.S. travel restrictions. This policy is known as a “hold and review” or “adjudicative hold.” It does not mean applications are automatically denied but the most common impact will be longer processing times.
The hold may affect many common USCIS applications, including:
- Green card (adjustment of status) applications
- Employment‑based or family‑based petitions
- Work authorization (EAD) applications
- Travel documents
- Applications for U.S. citizenship (naturalization)
USCIS will also conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved immigration benefit requests that were approved on or after January 20, 2021 for foreign nationals who were born in or are a citizen of one of the 38 countries listed in the January 1 travel ban or who carry a travel document issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
No new travel restrictions
At this time, there are no new travel restrictions for international students and scholars from countriesnot listed in the proclamation, and many may still be able to travel at their own discretion. Changes in federal travel regulations or policies may evolve and have the potential to affect reentry to the United States for some students and scholars. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they meet exit/entry requirements and carry the appropriate documentation.
Questions?
Students and scholars who may be affected or who have questions about their immigration status or travel plans are encouraged to contact the Office of International Affairs immigration specialists at iss@osu.edu for individualized advising.
For additional details on the federal proclamation, please visit the NAFSA website and read the complete proclamation.