Proposed U.S. Immigration Changes to Student and Scholar Visa Categories
Impact and Solutions for Ph.D. Programs in Physics (and Astronomy): 'A New Way of Doing Things'
This white paper is intended to inform the physics community of the proposed changes to F and J visa regulations and concomitant Certificates of Eligibility; the potential impacts on students and graduate education, as well as faculty and departments, if they are enacted; the status of concern and response within physics graduate programs and institutions; recommendations for programs to consider in both the short-term and longer-term; and resources for students, faculty, and physics departments to learn and stay informed. This white paper will be followed by a more complete EP3 Toolkit in March 2026, likely after the full rule change is codified, with more resources and actionable recommendations. The purpose of releasing this now is to inform the community on actions to take immediately and for the upcoming admissions cycle.