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Travel Ban Updates

UMass Lowell and the city of Lowell continue to be welcoming and diverse communities, respectful of all cultures.

Latest Information

Impacting Our Community

  • Travel outside of the U.S. for non-U.S. passport holders from the following countries is not advised, (Chad, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria and Venezuela, Yemen). Travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens and permanent residents should be organized by a tour group authorized by the U.S. Treasury. Consult with an immigration attorney before any departure from the U.S. For Legal Resources visit our Know Your Rights webpage.

    View NAFSA Executive Order Resources

    Non-immigrants sponsored on a UMass Lowell F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1 or TN status should review the Travel section of the ISSO website.

Update on June 26, 2018 Travel Ban

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled on the case of Trump v. Hawaii , which sought to contest the most recent iteration of the administration’s travel ban on certain countries. The 5-4 Supreme Court decision ruled in favor of the current policy on the grounds that the President of the United States has the authority to enact such a policy. This Supreme Court ruling does not change or amend the current policy that has been in existence since September, 2017.

  • Chad: No B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visas; no immigrant or diversity lottery visas.
  • Iran: No non-immigrant visas except F and M student visas and J exchange visitor visas; no immigrant or diversity lottery visas.
  • Libya: No B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visas; no immigrant or diversity lottery visas.
  • North Korea: No nonimmigrant, immigrant or diversity lottery visas.
  • Somalia: Nonimmigrant visa applicants subject to heightened scrutiny; no immigrant or diversity visas.
  • Syria: No nonimmigrant, immigrant or diversity lottery visas.
  • Venezuela: No B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visas for officials of designated Venezuelan government agencies. Other visa holders are subject to verification of traveler information. No restrictions on immigrant or diversity lottery visas.
  • Yemen: No B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visas; no immigrant or diversity lottery visas.

Travel remains restricted for Iranian citizens except for current holders, or applicants, of F, M and J visas (see above). Existing F and J visas for Iranian citizens remain valid and travel is not banned for holders of valid F and J visas. Current Iranians students or exchange visitors may apply for F and J visa renewals at US consulate abroad if necessary. But all are encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney before any travel outside of the U.S.

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