The Harvard International Office has advised international students to be back in the United States by September 15, ahead of a new visa rule.

The recommendation appears in guidance the office issued to Harvard's international student population. It sets a concrete deadline: students should be physically present in the country by September 15, before the new visa rule takes effect.

The Harvard Crimson first reported the advisory.

Who is affected

The guidance applies to international students enrolled at Harvard who hold U.S. student visas. Any such student currently outside the United States faces a practical deadline of September 15 to re-enter the country under the existing rules.

Students who remain abroad past that date may encounter the new visa requirements once the rule takes effect, according to the advisory.

What students should do now

The Harvard International Office's advice is straightforward: plan travel so that re-entry to the United States occurs no later than September 15. Students already in the country do not need to act on the travel advisory.

The office routinely issues such guidance to help students maintain valid visa status. Students with questions about their individual circumstances should contact the Harvard International Office directly and consult official U.S. government sources on visa policy.

This article summarizes the advisory as reported and does not constitute legal advice for individual cases.