OUTBOUND IMMIGRATION
NEWSLETTER

Dear Colleagues,

Greetings from OGS as we commence a new academic year! It has been a busy year marked by changes in immigration policy and processing across several countries. OGS wishes to highlight some of these changes and their possible impact on students and study away programming.

Global Spotlight

UK

This summer, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) officially transitioned to the eVisa system, phasing out physical vignettes for Student visa applicants staying in the UK for more than 6 months. Students will still be required to complete the online application and to take biometrics but are no longer required to mail in their passports for processing. Once students are notified of their approval, they will be required to create an online account with UKVI.

There have also been changes with regards to the visa processing. VFS Global is now the sole service provider of biometric enrolment services for UK Visas in the USA. As such, applicants will no longer have the option of enrolling their biometrics at a USCIS center; instead, they must complete the enrollment process through one of VFS’ 9 Premium Application Centers (free to use) or through 28 temporary application centers for which additional fees apply. OGS anticipates additional costs for travel and logistical challenges for students who do not reside in close proximity to these centers.

HPI information session October 30

OGS, in collaboration with representatives from UK Visas and Immigration, will host an information session on the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa scheme on Thursday, October 30 on the conference level of the Student Link Center. Students from any of NYU’s three degree-granting campuses are eligible to apply for this unique visa pathway which permits graduates to live and work in the UK for up to two years without requiring an employer/sponsor at time of application.

Italy

The Italian Government implemented a new requirement for all National Type D visa applicants to be fingerprinted at the time of their visa application, effective January 11, 2025. Student visas fall under this category and the rule presented many logistical challenges for our Fall 2025 Florence cohort. Luckily, through many joint advocacy efforts from universities, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Association of American College and University Programs in Italy (ACCUPI), and the Italian consulates, an exemption to this requirement for G7/NATO member country nationals was added to the law and made effective in June. This allowed visa application operations to return to normal for most of our students, however, the biometric requirement remains in place for nationals of countries that are not G7/NATO members and those applicants will be required to appear in person at the Italian consulate for fingerprint collection.

Spain

On May 20, 2025 several changes to the Spanish national visa application requirements came into effect. Students' passports must now be valid for at least one year from the start of the program (we highly recommend you consult the website of the Spanish Consulate/BLS Centre where you are applying for clarification as this regulation is subject to consulate interpretation) and student visa applications must be submitted at least 2 months prior to the program start date.

The Spanish government now requires a letter confirming registration fees have been paid to the relevant educational institution. A medical certificate is now required for all student visa applications, a requirement that previously only applied to academic year students.

Health insurance coverage now must cover one month prior to the program start date and 15 days after the end date. Going forward, we anticipate longer processing times at consulates and additional challenges for students who choose to forgo the group process in favor of applying individually.

Argentina

As a reminder, all students visiting the NYU Buenos Aires academic site— whether for short-term, semester, or academic year programs —are required to apply for a student visa. Nationalities that previously did not require a visa to enter Argentina (eg. USA, Canada, UK) may apply for their visa electronically via the online TIE 24H process. The TIE 24H process is complicated and often presents challenges to applicants. These travelers should allow for extra application submission/processing times.

France

France-Visas has switched to a new service provider, TLS Contact, which offers 10 application centers throughout the U.S. OGS has noted an increase in fees and limitations on re-scheduling appointments. However, visa processing times have improved, with a faster decision and passport return to applicants.

Implementation of EES slated for Fall 2025

There will soon be major changes to travel within the Schengen region. The Entry/Exit system (EES) will officially launch on October 12, 2025. This system will require non-EU nationals to submit biometric data every time they cross the external borders of the Schengen region. EES will operate in conjunction with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is scheduled to go into effect in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS is an electronic approval that will be required by all visa-exempt nationals traveling to 30 European countries for short-term stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). The fee for ETIAS will be twenty (20) Euros. More information can be found on the ETIAS website.

Passports and Global Entry

Passport Drive

The OGS US Passport Drive returns! OGS will host the New York Passport Agency on Friday, September 26th at the Washington Square Campus Student Link center from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Passport Drive is open to all members of the NYU community and the public at large.

For more information please review the Passport Drive Flyer and book an appointment as soon as possible. Please share with your respective departments!

US Passport processing times remain steady, yet always subject to change.

Standard processing currently = 4 to 6 weeks from the date the application is received.
Expedited processing currently = 2 to 3 weeks from the date the application is received.

The cost of a passport is $130 with an additional $60 for expedited processing. The Office of Global Services recommends choosing the expedited processing option for those who need their passport in a timely manner as passport processing times change without notice.

The New York Passport Agency still has online passport appointments.
Passport Agencies are providing appointment booking services for Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Online Passport Renewal The US State Department has the Online Passport Renewal option for US passport holders.

Resources

International students with single entry visas for the USA

F‑1 and J‑1 visas from some countries issued after July 2025 may now be valid for only 3 months and/or for a single entry to the United States.

OGS is currently assessing the impact this may have on international students who wish to participate in study away and short term programs outside of the US.

Supporting Our Global Community

In anticipation of continuing changes in international mobility policy OGS wishes to highlight the Supporting Our Global Community webpage as a helpful resource for both administrators and students. The page is continually updated and contains information regarding US Government announcements on immigration such as the social media vetting policy and changes to TPS status. There is also information on immigration policy changes by foreign governments that may impact the NYU community.

Fun Fact

The Schengen Area Agreement, which today allows the free movement of over 450 million people, was signed on June 14, 1985 in a village of the same name in which of the following countries?

(a) Austria
(b) Germany
(c) Netherlands
(d) Luxembourg
(e) Switzerland

Hint*- It is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the world. Answer

OUTBOUND IMMIGRATION NEWSLETTER