Presidential Proclamation Restricting Entry by H-1B Workers Effective September 21, 2025
Update to Presidential Proclamation Restricting Entry by H-1B Workers
The following update was sent by ISchO on the evening of Saturday, September 20, 2025, to all MIT international scholars in H-1B status or with pending MIT H-1B petitions:
The Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a memorandum late today, Saturday, September 20, clarifying the application of the Presidential Proclamation published yesterday, Friday, September 19, 2025.
Per the Director’s memorandum, the proclamation does not impact the ability of any current visa holder to travel to or from the United States.
The memorandum states the Proclamation does not apply to:
*H-1B employees whose petitions have already been filed (prior to the effective date of the proclamation);
*H-1B employees whose petitions are approved or who already have valid H-1B non-immigrant visas in their passports.
The memorandum states that all officers of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will ensure that their decisions are consistent with this guidance.
Please see the link to the Proclamation below.
Please also see clarification from the U.S. Department of State on its website here.
If you have questions about travel or your particular circumstances, please email ischo@mit.edu or contact your advisor in the International Scholars Office.
MIT International Students on F-1 Post-Completion OPT/ F-1 STEM OPT Extension/J-1 Post-Completion Academic Training, NOT employed by MIT, whose employer has filed or is planning to file an H-1B petition on your behalf, should contact your employer immediately for guidance.
The following message was sent by the International Scholars Office on the morning of Saturday, September 20, 2025, to all MIT international scholars in H-1B status or with pending MIT H-1B petitions:
On Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump published a Proclamation regarding H-1B worker petitions. Effective Sunday, September 21 at 12:01 am US ET, the rule states that entry to the US by H-1B workers will be restricted, unless the employer’s H-1B petition was submitted with a new/additional filing fee.
We are currently analyzing the Proclamation and its impact on our community.
Although we realize this Proclamation was sudden, and you may not have plans to do so, we recommend, if possible, that you try to return to the US before midnight tonight, Saturday, September 20. If you are not able to return before the Proclamation takes effect, please stay where you are and await further instructions from MIT, so we can advise you when we have more information to share and can plan your future return.
If you are currently outside the US, please email ischo@mit.edu if you have not already been in touch with a member of the ISchO staff.
If you are currently in the US, we recommend that you do not leave the US at this time and await further information.
As clarification becomes available, updates will be posted on the MIT Major Immigration Updates webpage.
