ISSS News - June 2026
Announcements
University closure: June 19, 2026
The University of Colorado Boulder, including International Student and Scholar Services, will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.ISSS will resume services on Monday, June 22, 2026.A complete list of university holidays is available on the Human Resources web...
Sponsored student advising: Important updates through July 2, 2026
Sponsored student advising will operate with a modified schedule through July 2, 2026.Sponsored Student advising appointments are for students sponsored by Aramco Services, the Kuwait Cultural Office, Embassy of Oman, SABIC, SACM, SCO, or Fulbright students or scholars. Both in-person and remote s...
Scam alert: USCIS AR-11 phone call and email
ScamsThe USCIS AR-11 scam is an ongoing fraud attempt targeting international students and scholars in the U.S. While the language used by scammers may evolve slightly, the core tactics remain the same. If you receive a threatening call, do not provide any personal information. Scammers use sophisti...
Scam alert: Spoofed calls from ICE and Boulder Police Department
Students have reported fraudulent attempts involving spoofed phone calls that appear to be from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Boulder Police Department (BPD). This is one of many ongoing fraudulent attempts targeting international students and scholars in the U.S. While the langu...
Immigration News
USCIS policy memo: Extraordinary matter of discretion - Approval of adjustment of status for U.S. permanent residency
On May 21, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memo reminding USCIS officers that “…adjustment of status is an extraordinary matter of discretion and administrative grace not designed to supersede the regular consular processing of immigrant visas.” This is a significant change that will affect individuals who had been planning or intending to gain lawful permanent residence (“green card”) status without leaving the U.S.
U.S. entry restrictions: Non-U.S. citizens present in Uganda, DRC, or South Sudan
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) effective yesterday, May 18, 2026, has put in place “entry restrictions on non-US passport holders if they have been in Uganda, DRC, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days” because of the Ebola outbreak in the region. Continue to monitor the...
Carry immigration documents & report changes of address
Nonimmigrants (visa holders) and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are required by law to: Carry their immigration registrationReport residential address changes within 10 days Legal Requirement to Carry Immigration Registration DocumentTo comply with this legal requirement, nonimmigra...
Travel considerations
ISSS encourages students and scholars to carefully consider current travel restrictions and remain aware that immigration policies and entry requirements can change with little notice. Please review the following ISSS articles before making international travel plans: U.S. entry restrictions for cit...
On-campus employment: Work hours during summer break
Work Hours When School is in SessionInternational students in F-1 or J-1 status can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session during the fall and spring semesters.This 20-hour limit applies to the combined total work hours of all on-campus jobs.Students are responsible for tr...
Optional Practical Training (OPT) and unemployment
Exceeding the OPT unemployment limit may lead to the termination of your SEVIS record.F-1 students on post-completion OPT or the STEM OPT extension must closely track their days of unemployment to maintain their F-1 status.Post-Completion OPT: Maximum of 90 days of unemployment allowed (including an...
Summer enrollment requirements for graduating students
If you will complete your degree this summer, full-time enrollment (or an authorized equivalent) that includes a physical presence on campus is required to maintain your F-1 status.Reporting Summer as Your Final SemesterTo report summer as your final semester, you must complete the Confirmation of F...
