Important Announcements on U.S. Policies Currently Affecting International Students

Future/Admitted international students should be aware of the following recent announcements:

Proclamation Limiting Entry to the United States

On June 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a Proclamation fully restricting the entry of nationals into the United States from these 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

The Proclamation also partially restricts entry of nationals from these 7 countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. This means that no one who is a national of these countries may enter the U.S. as immigrants or in the tourist, student, or scholar visa categories (B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J). The Proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests.

If your admission application to Seattle Colleges been accepted, and you would like to defer your enrollment to a later date as a result of this Proclamation, please contact us at IntlAdmissions@seattlecolleges.edu.

Temporary Pause on Additional Visa Appointments

On May 27, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio announced the following: "Effective 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, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued ... in the coming days."

Here is what we know about this announcement, as well as steps you can take if you are affected by it:

• Appointments that were scheduled before May 27, 2025 should not be affected by the pause and will likely proceed as scheduled.
• The pause may be lifted with or without notice and at different times around the world.
• Visa applicants who have not yet scheduled their appointments are encouraged to check regularly for updates on this topic at their embassy/consulate.
• Incoming transfer students: if you plan to travel outside the United States and renew your student visa during the pause, contact your embassy/consulate about appointment availability before you leave the United States.
• It is not clear how the new screening guidance will affect visa applicants, as the State Department has required applicants to provide social media account information on application forms since 2019.
• The announcement does not currently affect how Seattle Colleges can issue acceptance materials students need in order to apply for their visas. We will continue to process admission applications normally.
• Online studies are a temporary option for some college-level students, depending on program. Contact us at IntlFutureStudent@seattlecolleges.edu to learn about possible options.
• If your admission application to Seattle Colleges has been accepted, and you would like to defer your enrollment to a later date as a result of the pause on additional visa appointments, please contact us at IntlAdmissions@seattlecolleges.edu.

Current Seattle Colleges international students should be aware of the following recent announcements:

Proclamation Limiting Entry to the United States

On June 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a Proclamation fully restricting the entry of nationals into the United States from these 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

The Proclamation also partially restricts entry of nationals from these 7 countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. This means that no one who is a national of these countries may enter the U.S. as immigrants or in the tourist, student, or scholar visa categories (B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J). The Proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests.

Travel Advisory

Current students planning to travel outside of the United States should make sure that their passport, student visa, and I-20 form are valid and up to date. If you have questions about your travel plans, please consult your primary academic advisor.

Temporary Pause on Additional Visa Appointments

On May 27, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio announced the following: "Effective 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, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued ... in the coming days."

Here is what we know about how this announcement will affect current students, as well as steps you can take:

• If you plan to travel outside the United States and renew your student visa during the pause, contact your embassy/consulate about appointment availability before you leave the United States.
• Appointments that were scheduled before May 27, 2025 should not be impacted by the pause and will likely proceed as scheduled.
• The pause may be lifted with or without notice and at different times around the world.
• Visa renewal applicants who have not yet scheduled their appointments are encouraged to check regularly for updates on this topic at their embassy/consulate.
• It is not clear how the new screening guidance will affect visa renewals, as the State Department has required applicants to provide social media account information on application forms since 2019.