Purdue University is expanding assistance for its international students as visa uncertainties continue to ripple across campuses nationwide. Federal screening and enforcement changes since late 2023 are still reshaping who can enter or remain in the United States. As of August 31, 2025, the university is running direct outreach and adding services to help students, faculty, and staff deal with visa status changes, document needs, and the emotional strain tied to this shifting landscape.
University officials say Purdue has not recorded confirmed visa revocations tied to on‑campus cases. But the wider picture is hard to ignore. National coverage and government actions have highlighted cancellations and new checks affecting students at more than 100 institutions. According to multiple federal briefings reported widely, the U.S. Department of State has canceled at least 600 student visas as part of tighter screening measures, including social media reviews and more scrutiny for travelers from countries linked to national security concerns. While those steps began during the Trump administration and have continued under current policy, the human impact is immediate for international students who face delays, denials, or last‑minute disruptions.
Main university contacts and services
- International Student Services (ISS) is the main point of contact for F‑1 and J‑1 visa questions.
- Director: Chris Collins — [email protected]
- Phone counseling: 765‑494‑5770 during posted hours
- Additional access: WebEx drop‑in sessions and the MyISS portal for written questions
- International Scholar Services supports faculty, staff, and postdocs.
- Director: Amanda Thompson — [email protected]
The university has also contacted people flagged in government databases for recent changes to visa status, urging them to connect with their home country embassies and consider outside legal support.
Expanded counseling and practical help
Purdue has broadened both mental‑health and practical supports:
- Mental health: Counseling through CAPS and peer groups; continuing demand has led staff to point students to international student clubs and campus well‑being resources.
- Listening session: Action Council on Student Housing and Well‑Being held a special listening session on April 21, 2025 to gather campus feedback.
- Research support: Purdue launched research bridge funding support in April to help labs and researchers manage short‑term gaps if a visa or funding issue interrupts work.
The goal is to steady academic and research progress while policy changes play out in Washington and in the courts.
Admissions and enrollment trends
Despite visa uncertainties, admissions trends remain stable. Purdue reports that the share of admitted international students who accepted offers by spring 2025 is in line with recent years at both undergraduate and graduate levels. This resilience reflects continued student interest in Purdue’s strengths—engineering, science, computing, and business—even as many worry about travel timing, consular interviews, or new checks before flights.
Step‑by‑step process for incoming graduate & professional students
ISS has published guidance that outlines a three‑stage process to receive visa documents:
- Evaluation by the academic department
- Formal admission by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
- Final processing by ISS to issue the required document:
Form I-20(for F‑1 students) orDS-2019(for J‑1 exchange visitors)
Required documents to receive these forms:
– Valid passport
– Official financial support documents that meet program costs
– SEVIS fee payment receipt for the I‑901 fee
– Other information requested by ISS to complete records and timelines
ISS emphasizes that the Form I-20 and the DS-2019 are essential for the visa interview and U.S. entry. Students can review official resources:
– ICE: Form I‑20 — https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i20
– State Department: About DS‑2019 — https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/about-ds-2019/
– ICE: I‑901 SEVIS Fee — https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901
– State Department: Student Visa overview — https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
How ISS can help (examples of common questions)
ISS services aim to resolve questions such as:
– How long a program can pause while waiting for a visa
– Options if a student must start online from abroad
– Steps to take if a visa is refused and a new interview is needed
Advisors stress that early planning, well‑organized documents, and proof of funding remain key to keeping cases on track.
Why screening has increased — and the debate
The heightened screening environment stems from federal actions begun during the Trump administration and refined under President Biden. The policy path has included:
– Closer social media checks
– Wider use of security databases
– More coordination between agencies
Supporters say these steps protect national security. Critics worry about false hits, inconsistent consular decisions, and the chilling effect on global research teams. Purdue aims to comply with federal rules while keeping academic doors open to international students who contribute to the campus and research enterprise.
Real‑world impacts and recommended preparations
Visa outcomes have been inconsistent nationally. VisaVerge.com reports that students in the same field—or even from the same country—have had widely differing experiences: one cleared quickly, another stuck in “administrative processing” for weeks. This inconsistency complicates semester planning and lab schedules.
Purdue advisors recommend students:
- Keep copies of all prior I‑20s or DS‑2019s
- Offer clear explanations of long‑term plans during interviews
- Prepare for extra questions about research topics, lab access, or funding
- Have a housing plan, arrival timeline, and backup travel dates
Specific suggestions for newly admitted students overseas:
– Pay the I‑901 fee early
– Schedule the visa interview as soon as the embassy allows
– Double‑check that the SEVIS ID on the I‑20/DS‑2019 matches the fee receipt
– Review local embassy guidance—requirements can differ by country
– Plan for possible security checks that may add weeks to processing
– If a visa is refused, contact ISS immediately with the refusal letter or notes to discuss next steps (new interview, term deferral, or program adjustments)
For continuing students in the U.S.:
– Keep passports valid for at least six months beyond intended stay
– Request a travel signature on the I‑20 or DS‑2019 well before departure
– Contact ISS if any program changes are expected
– If a visa was canceled abroad, ISS can review options: new visa processing, online enrollment from overseas, or leave of absence
Faculty, staff, and postdoc concerns
- International Scholar Services is coordinating with departments to map staffing plans and avoid lab coverage gaps.
- The bridge funding tool offers short‑term help when delays risk pausing experiments or field work.
- J‑1 exchange visitors and those on employment‑based statuses may face distinct processing issues that departments should plan for.
Personal impacts and university response
The effects are deeply personal and practical:
– A graduate student expected in May may arrive in October.
– Delays to a spouse’s visa can affect child care and housing.
– Labs may postpone trials if a key team member faces extended checks.
Purdue’s response focuses on steady communication and case‑by‑case advising to keep academic goals within reach. The university plans to continue tracking policy changes and adjust services accordingly, including:
– Ongoing outreach to students named in government data sweeps
– Regular updates to FAQs
– Tighter coordination between ISS advisors and departmental staff who set lab and course schedules
Important: Timely action and organized documentation can make the difference between arriving on time and losing a term.
Quick contacts and next steps
If affected, contact the appropriate office quickly:
- International Student Services (ISS): [email protected]; phone 765‑494‑5770 during posted hours; WebEx drop‑ins; MyISS for written questions
- International Scholar Services: [email protected] for faculty, staff, and postdocs
Officials also remind students to keep checking embassy websites for appointment openings and to save all receipts and confirmations tied to their case.
Purdue’s message to its international community is simple: you’re not alone in this process, and help is close by.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Purdue University expanded services to support international students amid continuing federal visa screening changes. As of August 31, 2025, the university increased outreach, counseling, and practical assistance through International Student Services and International Scholar Services. Federal actions have led the U.S. Department of State to cancel at least 600 student visas, fueling delays and last-minute disruptions nationwide. Purdue offers phone counseling, WebEx drop-ins, MyISS written support, mental-health resources, a listening session held April 21, 2025, and research bridge funding to protect academic continuity. ISS details a three-stage process for issuing Form I-20 or DS-2019 and lists required documents including passport, financial evidence, and the SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. Advisors recommend early planning, organized documentation, timely embassy coordination, and contacting ISS immediately if visa issues arise. The university continues monitoring policy changes and providing case-by-case assistance to limit disruptions to students, faculty, and research.
