State Dept. Pauses Student Visa Appointments. Employers May Be Affected

The U.S. State Department has paused all new appointments for student visa categories, including F-1, M-1, and J-1.

Why this matters for employers:

❖ While F-1 and M-1 are student-specific, J-1 includes work-based roles like Specialists, Research Scholars, Interns, and Trainees.

❖ Despite its employment scope, J-1 appointments are paused across the board.

❖ Companies sponsoring J-1 visa holders may face delays in onboarding international talent.

If your organization currently employs or is planning to sponsor J-1 candidates, we recommend consulting with an immigration attorney to assess timeline risks and contingency options.

There are no changes to other employment-based visa categories at this time.

We’re monitoring developments and will share updates as they arise.