International Affairs Announcements

SEVIS Fee

Effective October 27, 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will raise the I-901 SEVIS fee for applicants for F-1, F-3, J-1, M-1 and M-3 visas who apply for their initial visa on or after October 27, 2008. The new fee for those in F-1/F-3 and M-1/M-3 status will be $200; the new fee for those in J-1 status will be $180. For more information on the SEVIS fee, click here.

New OPT Rule

A new Optional Practical Training rule was published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on April 8, 2008. The rule added a 17-month STEM extension for students with certain majors, an unemployment provision, H-1B cap gap relief, etc. Here are some links to information about the rule:

Apostille/Document Authentication

An apostille is official authentication of a document. We have added a link to the Tennessee State office which handles apostilles for those residing in Tennessee to our Other Links page.

Special Registration

Click here for information on Special Registration with the Immigration Service:

  • IMPORTANT: If you were registered (fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed) by the Immigration Service upon arrival in the U.S. or via Call-In Registration, you MUST depart the U.S. only through special airports. The link above includes the URL for this list and other valuable information.
  • Memphis International Airport is NOT on the list , so you will not be able to fly overseas directly from Memphis.

Travel and Visa Issues

U.S. Consulates in Canada and Mexico will not accept appointments for visa applications from persons subject to the security clearance imposed by the State Department.

These countries have been mentioned as being subject to the security clearance, but this list may not be exhaustive:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

In addition, everyone making an appointment with a consulate in Canada or Mexico are advised to wait at least 5 days after making the appointment before making travel reservations. The appointment system will notify those ineligible to apply for visas in Canada and Mexico within 5 days.

Because it is not possible to predict who will be subject to a security check, it is advisable that you only apply for a new visa in your home country, rather than be stuck in Canada or Mexico for months while waiting for the clearance. Once you apply for a visa there, you may not return to the U.S. from Canada or Mexico until the visa is issued.

For all travel, both within the U.S. and abroad, you must carry your passport, I-94 and immigration document, such as I-20, DS-2019 and Immigration approval notice (for H, O, TN). In addition, e-mail Int'l Affairs to request a letter stating your relationship to UT, which you can also carry with you. Students should also carry a copy of their transcript.

Email List for International Students

Are you getting e-mail from OIA with news and information about activities for international students? If not, please send your e-mail address to Int'l Affairs right away.

Email List for International Staff

We would like to start an e-mail newsletter for our international staff (researchers, faculty, etc.), as well. Please send your e-mail address to Int'l Affairs.

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Contact Us

Office of International Affairs
62 S. Dunlap, Suite 413
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: 901-448-8484
Fax: 901-448-2100

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F