Rice welcomes all its international students and scholars and is committed to supporting them.
This page includes immigration updates and resources that may have an impact on our Rice faculty, students, and staff.
Current Hot Topics
- April 1, 2022 – USCIS to Expand Premium Processing to New Categories, Launch Other Backlog Reduction Initiatives (Foster)
- March 30, 2022 – USCIS Announces Completion of FY-2023 H-1B Cap Lottery Process – All Notifications Have Been Sent to Employers (Foster)
- December 29, 2021 – U.S. Department of State Announces Interview Waivers for Some Nonimmigrant Visa Categories (Foster)
- November 12, 2021 – USCIS Policy Alert: Employment Authorization for Certain H-4, E, and L Nonimmigrant Dependent Spouses (USCIS)
Actions Related to COVID-19
- June 10, 2022 – CDC Rescinds Order Requiring Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Prior to Flight to the US (CDC)
- January 27, 2022 – Updated travel requirements for entering the United States (CDC)
- Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Travel (travel.state.gov)
- Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Releases Additional Detail for Implementing a Safer, More Stringent International Air Travel System (whitehouse.gov)
Executive Actions from the Current Administration
- Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States (whitehouse.gov)
- Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (whitehouse.gov)
- Presidential Actions (whitehouse.gov)
- Executive Orders and Other Presidential Documents (Office of the Federal Register)