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Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States

April 2, 2026 • 11:14 a.m.

In line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” which took effect on January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), the United States fully or partially suspended entry for and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries, and individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. Included in the order is the continuation and augmentation of the suspension on entry of nationals from 19 countries imposed by Presidential Proclamation 10949. Presidential Proclamation 10949 remained in full effect until it was modified by the restrictions of Presidential Proclamation 10998. We are protecting our nation and its citizens by using rigorous, security-focused screening and vetting procedures to ensure that individuals approved for a visa do not endanger national security or public safety.

Effective January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” the Department of State fully suspended visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries – Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – and to individuals traveling on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, for all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories with limited exceptions for:

Certain diplomatic and official visas
Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
Dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)
Participants in certain major sporting events
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

Also effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” the Department of State partially suspended visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries – Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions for:

Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
Dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)
Participants in certain major sporting events
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

As of January 1, 2026, the Department of State partially suspended visa issuance to nationals of Turkmenistan for all immigrant visas with limited exceptions for:

Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
Dual nationals applying with a passport nationality not subject to a suspension
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)
Participants in certain major sporting events
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

Also, with Presidential Proclamation 10998, as of the effective date of January 1, 2026, the following categorical exceptions provided in Presidential Proclamation 10949 for nationals subject to the suspension on entry are no longer available under the PP: immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5); adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4); and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas.

In his discretion, the Secretary of State or his designee, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may find that travel by an individual would serve the U.S. national interest on a case-by-case basis. The Secretary of Homeland Security or her designee, in coordination with the Secretary of State, may also find that travel by an individual would serve the U.S. national interest on a case-by-case basis. The Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security, may find the travel of an individual would advance a critical U.S. national interest involving the Department of Justice.

Children being adopted by Americans can qualify for an exception, including a National Interest Exception pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998, if applicable. These American families should continue the normal adoption process. They should submit visa applications and attend consular interviews. They do not need to take other additional steps to be considered for a case-by-case exception under the National Interest Exception.

Presidential Proclamation 10998 only applies to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date AND do not hold a valid visa on the effective date (January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST).

Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation.

Visa applicants who are subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998 may still submit visa applications and schedule interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.

The full text of the December 16, 2025, Presidential Proclamation 10998 is available here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/

Information about the June 4, 2025, Presidential Proclamation 10949 on “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats.html

Welcome to Enrollment Services!

The Office of Enrollment Services is proud to be your one-stop for the administration of student admissions, financial services, registration, records, and scholarships. We are here to assist you!

U.S. Department of Education

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant to Students

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocates funds to support individuals and businesses/organizations, including colleges and universities, affected by the pandemic and economic downturn. UTMB has received funds under the CARES Act and is working to provide emergency assistance to as many students as possible to help them meet their emergency financial needs during this challenging time.

Report and Disclosure

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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) I
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- 1. Acknowledgement
  
  An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  
  UTMB signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement. UTMB will award $550,876 (not less than 50%) of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- 2. Total Amount Received
  
  The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  
  The total amount UTMB received on April 25,2020, from the U. S. Department of Education for awards to students is $550,876.
- 3. Total Amount Distributed to Students
  
  The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
  
  As of August 20, 2020, the total amount of emergency grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $550,876.
  
  This is the final report that covers all remaining HEERF fund expenditures for Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds.
- 4. Estimated Total Number of Eligible Students
  
  The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  
  The estimated total number of UTMB students eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive emergency grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was 1,747.
- 5. Total Number of Student Recipients
  
  The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  
  The total number of UTMB students enrolled in spring 2020 who received an emergency grant under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 509.
- 6. Method Used to Determine Eligibility
  
  The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  
  UTMB developed an application for the first round of grants that students completed between April 15, 2020 and April 21, 2020. The verified FAFSA was used to confirm that recipients met the eligibility requirements of the CARES Act. A committee consisting of one representative from each of the four schools and four representatives from Enrollment Services will review the applications and amounts requested to determine which students meet the criteria prescribed by the US Department of Education. The maximum that could be awarded per student is $2500.00.
  
  UTMB developed a new application for the second round of grants that students completed between July 13,2020 and July 26,2020. This new application was based on the clarification of eligible expenses from the Department of Education. The verified FAFSA was used to confirm that recipients met the eligibility requirements of the CARES Act. A committee consisting of one representative from each of the four schools and four representatives from Enrollment Services will review the applications and amounts requested to determine which students meet the criteria prescribed by the US Department of Education. The maximum that could be awarded per student is $2500.00. Students who were enrolled prior to summer 2020 were given priority consideration. The remaining funds were awarded to the students who entered during summer 2020.
- 7. Information and Application Instructions for Students
  
  Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
  
  All students were sent an email providing them a link to sign in to the scholarship application. They were instructed to complete the application if they were experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and told that the application would be open from May 15, 2020 until midnight, May 21, 2020. A second application period was open from July 13, 2000 to July 26, 2020 and students were given the same instructions as previously. Once the funds were awarded, students receiving the grant were notified via email of the amount they were awarded and told that they would be disbursed via direct deposit (or by check if they weren’t enrolled in direct deposit). They were also told that if they chose to use the funds to pay tuition/fees, they must login to their account to do so once they received their funds. UTMB will not use awarded emergency financial aid grants to pay outstanding or overdue student bills. Additional rounds of funding will be conducted until all CARES monies are distributed to students.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II
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- 1. Acknowledgement
  
  An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  UTMB has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form & the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than the required amount of funds received to provide HEERF II grants to students.
- 2. Total Amount Received
  
  The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  UTMB has received a $550,876 in the Student Aid Portion of HEERF II and $1,142,510 in Institutional Portion. UTMB has decided to reallocate $350,000 of the Institutional Portion to be used for student aid bringing the total amount awarded to students as grants to $900,876.
- 3. Total Amount Distributed to Students
  
  The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
  As of July 30, $900,876 has been distributed to enrolled students.
- 4. Estimated Total Number of Eligible Students
  
  The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  The total number of students at UTMB eligible to participate in HEERF II is 3,130.
- 5. Total Number of Student Recipients
  
  The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  The total number of students at UTMB who received monies under HEERF II to date is 3,130.
- 6. Method Used to Determine Eligibility
  
  The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  Using the eligibility guidelines under HEERF II, all enrolled students were deemed eligible for and received student grants, however, students receiving Federal Title IV or Title VII funds were considered as having exceptional financial need and thus received a larger grant amount than those without exceptional need.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III
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- 1. Acknowledgement
  
  An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  UTMB has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form & the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than the required amount of funds received to provide HEERF III grants to students.
- 2. Total Amount Received
  
  The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  UTMB has received a total of $3,021,747 from HEERF III ($1,525,148 in the Student Aid Portion and $1,496,599 in Institutional Portion).
- 3. Total Amount Distributed to Students
  
  The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
  As of September 30, UTMB disbursed $1,489,319 to students.
- 4. Estimated Total Number of Eligible Students
  
  The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  The total number of students at UTMB eligible to participate in HEERF III is 3,468.
- 5. Total Number of Student Recipients
  
  The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  The total number of students at UTMB who received monies under HEERF III to date is 3,468.
- 6. Method Used to Determine Eligibility
  
  The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  Using the eligibility guidelines under HEERF III, all enrolled students were deemed eligible for and received student grants, however, students receiving Federal Title IV or Title VII funds were considered as having exceptional financial need and thus received a larger grant amount than those without exceptional need.

U.S. Department of Education

CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act establishes and funds the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to support institutions of higher education . UTMB received funds under the CARES Act, Section 18004(a)(1) to cover cost associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus.

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Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting

00495200_HEERF_Q32023_10092023
00495200_HEERF_Q22023_07062023
00495200_HEERF_Q12023_04072023
00495200_HEERF_Q42022_01092023
00495200_HEERF_Q32022_101022
00495200_HEERF_Q22022_071122
00495200_HEERF_Q12022_040722
00495200_HEERF_Q42021_010722
00495200_HEERF_Q32021_101021
Quarter Ending June 30, 2021
Quarter Ending March 31, 2021
Quarter Ending December 31, 2020
Quarter Ending September 30, 2020

Records and Enrollment

All third-party degree and enrollment verifications are now performed through the National Student Clearinghouse. Information may be found at National Student Clearinghouse. The University name is listed as "The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston". Current students wishing to request an enrollment verification letter should request this service through their mySTAR Student Center.

Health Insurance

All enrolled UTMB students are required to have and to maintain health insurance.

Students may enroll in the plan offered to UTMB students through The University of Texas authorized insurance program, AcademicBlue, or furnish proof of existing health insurance coverage equal to the plan approved by The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

Proof of insurance is required each semester you are enrolled. Failure to provide proof of insurance prior to beginning of each semester may result in removal from classes.

Click here for more information about AcademicBlue, the UT system student health insurance plan.