News and Announcements: Updated September 18, 2025

U.S. Department of State Process Update for Visa Applicants

What has changed?

Instructions for the process of where non-immigrant visa applications can be completed were updated to restrict the following:

• Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
• Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere. You can find this list of designated location on the U.S. Department of State webpage for this announcement.

What does this mean for you and what is a non-immigrant visa?

Students who are applying using a Form I-20 for the F-1 visa or a Form DS-2019 for a J-1 visa are non-immigrants. Students coming to the United States to participate in Study & Exchange are under this visa classification. This update will impact your visa process, please review the announcement of this change as certain countries will have designated Embassies or Consulates which will process your visa applications.

When applying for your F-1 or J-1 visa renewal abroad you should consider that this process will also impact on the appointment availability and wait times. Based on this new rule, you will be limited to apply for your visa renewal in the country of your nationality or the country in which you reside outside of the United States.

ISSS Fall 2025 Calendar

The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Team proudly supports and advocates for all international students and scholars at Missouri S&T. It is our goal to be the center for all support that our international students, staff, and faculty need. The ISSS Office not only supports University Goals and Initiatives but also works with the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to ensure visa compliance for all F-1 and J-1 Students and Scholars. 

Our Mission: The Office of International Student and Scholar Services supports international students and scholars educational and professional goals and outcomes throughout their immigration life cycle by ensuring compliance with federal regulations and university policy through advising and advocacy.

Our Vision: To be the leading campus authority on immigration regulations for all international students, faculty, and staff by providing high quality advising services and advocacy.

All Requests, except On-Campus Employment can be made in our ISSS Gateway Portal.

NAFSA Visa Guidance Information

Our office assists with the requirements to maintain F-1 or J-1 visa status monitored by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. Visa Categories can be found on the NAFSA Immigration Classifications and Employment Chart.

ISSS has created a reference NAFSA Visa Chart for your review.