Updates from Harvard International Office

March 7, 2017

In follow up to last week’s message, we wanted to reach out to ensure you are aware of the latest developments on the travel-related executive order. The White House rescinded the original executive order yesterday and issued a new version that restricts entry to the U.S. for nationals of six countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for a 90-day period (Iraq has been removed from the list). The new travel ban will be in effect for 90 days beginning March 16 at 12:01 AM eastern standard time.  The ban could be extended and additional countries could be subject to restrictions. 

The new travel ban does not include foreign nationals who are U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders), holders of a valid U.S. visa, or dual nationals traveling on a valid passport from a non-restricted country, as well as those holding certain types of diplomatic visas and those who have been granted asylum or refugees already admitted to the U.S.

According to the order, new visas will not be issued for nationals of the six restricted countries during the 90-day period beginning March 16.  The State Department indicates that it will continue to process visa applications from nationals of these countries until March 16.  However, applicants should be prepared for lengthy security screening and the possibility that they may not be issued a visa before the entry ban takes effect.

A Question & Answer session in response to the new executive order will be held on Wednesday, March 8th, from 11:00AM to 12:00PM at Sever Hall 214.

The new version of the travel order also requires that all applicants for visas undergo an in-person interview.  This may mean delays in getting appointments for visa interviews as well as delays in processing of visas.  Anyone needing to apply for a new visa stamp should plan accordingly.

If you travel abroad, we strongly advise you to enter your itinerary and contact information in the Harvard Travel Registry, which is managed by Harvard Global Support Services. Doing so expedites access to Harvard Travel Assist, their 24/7 global emergency response program. If you do travel abroad and are not permitted to return to the U.S., you should contact Harvard Travel Assist at +1-617-998-0000 or travelassist@harvard.edu to immediately notify the University. 

The HIO is working with offices and key stakeholders throughout the University to offer resources and support and to advocate for the international students and scholars across the University who are important members of our community and who play a critical role in Harvard’s academic mission.
As we learn more, we will keep you informed and offer our guidance. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
http://www.hio.harvard.edu/contact-us

 

 

Update from February 10, 2017

Travel Advisory

The temporary restraining order, which halted the enforcement of certain provisions of President Trump's executive order banning foreign nationals from seven countries from entering the U.S., remains in effect after a decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Despite this ruling, the HIO continues to advise foreign nationals from the seven restricted countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) to exercise caution and discuss any travel plans with their HIO Advisor when considering travel outside the United States. Though travel to the United States is possible at the present time, future court rulings could reinstate the ban.  If the ban is reinstated, foreign nationals from those countries most likely will not be admitted or readmitted into the United States if they travel abroad.
If you travel abroad, we strongly advise you to enter your itinerary and contact information in the Harvard Travel Registry, which is managed by Harvard Global Support Services. Doing so expedites access to Harvard Travel Assist, the 24/7 global emergency response service. If you do travel abroad and are not permitted to return to the U.S., you should contact Harvard Travel Assist at +1-617-998-0000 or travelassist@harvard.edu to immediately notify the University.
The HIO is monitoring the situation, and as we learn more, we will keep you informed and offer our guidance.
If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact your HIO Advisor.

 

Update from February 7, 2017:

The University will be hosting a second Town Hall-style meeting on Monday, February 13 from 6:30pm-8pm at the Harvard-Yenching Auditorium located at 2 Divinity Avenue.

The University  hosted an information session on Wednesday, February 1st to discuss recent executive orders restricting travel to the United States.  The information session was hosted by the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs and included a representative from the Harvard International Office and the Harvard Law School’s Immigration and Refugee Clinic.  The panel presented information regarding the executive orders and answered questions from members of the Harvard community who are affected by the orders as well as other interested members of the Harvard community.                                                          

Information Session PowerPoint Presentation

 

Update from February 3, 2017:

On Friday, January 27, the new administration issued an executive order that restricts entry, including reentry, into the U.S. and revokes valid visas for citizens and nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on non-immigrant visas. Foreign nationals from those countries should know that until further notice, whatever their visa status, they most likely will not be admitted or readmitted into the United States if they travel abroad.

The Department of State recently confirmed that there is no addendum, annex, or amendment now being worked on to expand visa revocations or the travel ban to countries other than those currently implicated in the Executive Order. However, all foreign nationals should carefully assess whether it is worth the risk to travel outside the country.

If you travel abroad, we strongly advise you to enter your itinerary and contact information in the Harvard Travel Registry, which is managed by Harvard Global Support Services. Doing so expedites access to Harvard Travel Assist, their 24/7 global emergency response program. If you do travel abroad and are not permitted to return to the U.S., you should contact Harvard Travel Assist at +1-617-998-0000 or travelassist@harvard.edu to immediately notify the University. 

The HIO is working with offices and key stakeholders throughout the University to offer resources and support and to advocate for the international students and scholars across the University who are important members of our community and who play a critical role in Harvard’s academic mission. As we learn more, we will keep you informed and offer our guidance.

 If you have any questions at all don’t hesitate to contact your HIO Advisor.

 

Update from February 2, 2017:

The University  hosted an information session on Wednesday, February 1st to discuss recent executive orders restricting travel to the United States.  The information session was hosted by the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs and included a representative from the Harvard International Office and the Harvard Law School’s Immigration and Refugee Clinic.  The panel presented information regarding the executive orders and answered questions from members of the Harvard community who are affected by the orders as well as other interested members of the Harvard community.                                                          

Information Session PowerPoint Presentation

 

Update from January 28, 2017:

To the international students and scholars from all parts of the world who have long demonstrated their dedication to educational advancement and the pursuit of knowledge, we share your concerns about the recently signed executive action regarding immigration. Offices across the University are closely monitoring the evolving situation.

On Friday the new administration issued an executive order that restricts entry, including reentry, into the U.S. for citizens and nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on both immigrant (permanent residence or green card) and non-immigrant visas. Foreign nationals from those countries should know that until further notice, whatever their visa or green card status, they most likely will not be readmitted into the United States if they travel abroad.

The executive order also contemplates that additional countries could be added to the banned list. Accordingly, until more information becomes available, and given the possibility of a change in government policy that could go into effect immediately, all foreign nationals should carefully assess whether it is worth the risk to travel outside the country.

If you travel abroad, we strongly advise you to enter your itinerary and contact information in the Harvard Travel Registry, which is managed by Harvard Global Support Services. Doing so expedites access to Harvard Travel Assist, their 24/7 global emergency response program. If you do travel abroad and are not permitted to return to the U.S., you should contact Harvard Travel Assist at +1-617-998-0000 or travelassist@harvard.edu to immediately notify the University.

The HIO is working with offices and key stakeholders throughout the University to offer resources and support and to advocate for the international students and scholars across the University who are important members of our community and who play a critical role in Harvard’s academic mission.
As we learn more, we will keep you informed and offer our guidance. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

http://www.hio.harvard.edu/contact-us