Compliance Management

Facilitating Effective Student Data Transfer

In an era of international education, student mobility, and ever-advancing technology, student data must also travel to meet the needs of learners and educational institutions alike. International organizations, led by the work of the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN), promote digital student data

SEVP Guidance: Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students

On November 6, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students, a fact sheet and FAQ that interprets and applies F-1 regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(14) regarding the effect of a DOL-certified strike on students on optional practical

Holistically Vetting New Education Abroad Program Providers

Contributors from the 2023 Education Abroad Knowledge Community (EAKC) Jessica Fetridge, Northwestern University Emily Dougherty, Cornell University Vetting new partners is an important part of adding new programs for affiliation or exchange. Education Abroad offices should have clear processes and

Immigration-Related Initiatives in Artificial Intelligence Executive Order

On October 30, 2023 President Biden signed Executive Order 14110, titled Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is abbreviated throughout the executive order as "AI." Read Executive Order 14110 on the White House website Executive Order

USCIS Policy Manual Content on J-1 Exchange Visitors

USCIS has updated its USCIS Policy Manual with some helpful content on how the agency determines whether an applicant for change of status or adjustment of status has met the INA 212(e) foreign residence requirement. The updates confirm standard USCIS practices and review J-1 basics. For example

USCIS Proposed Rule on H-1B Modernization and F-1 Cap-Gap Flexibility

On October 23, 2023, USCIS published a proposed rule titled Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers. Read the proposed rule published at 88 FR 72870 (October 23, 2023). Public comments were due by December

Immigration and Study Abroad Resources: Israel-Hamas Conflict

This page lists resources relevant to the Israel-Hamas Conflict for individuals engaged in international higher education. Advocacy See NAFSA's Statement: NAFSA Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel U.S. Government Resources Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced

USCIS: Current Issues

Since USCIS officials were unable to participate in-person in the 2023 NAFSA regional conferences, NAFSA proposed recording a session featuring USCIS officials to serve as a supplement to the agency-focused regional conference sessions. NAFSA’s Current Issues Sessions Working Group gathered your

SEVP Reactivates 180-Day Requested Status Job on OPT and OCE Applications

In SEVP Broadcast Message 2310-01, Reactivating 180-Day Cancellation Function on USCIS Applications in Requested Status (October 2, 2023), SEVP informed PDSOs and DSOs at SEVP-certified schools that: "On November 1, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) intends to reinstate the

Advising for Study Abroad Visas to Spain

As the Spanish consulates in the United States continue updating their processes for student visa servicing, join a discussion led by NAFSA's Consular Affairs volunteers for Spain focused on model practices for navigating these changes. In conversation with the Spain CAL team, learn more about these