On August 12, 2026 the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published a Broadcast Message that significantly narrows F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) eligibility standards, saying at one point that CPT may be granted only if the CPT training "is indeed a core and essential part of the student’s studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree." The Broadcast Message also outlines possible consequences and DSO and school liabilities regarding CPT practices if it determines that "school officials are abusing CPT to create work opportunities rather than academic studies."

On August 10, 2026, BridgeUSA, the Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), produced Guidance Directive 2026-01: Final Rule Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission for Exchange Visitors (J Nonimmigrants), to provide "information on how sponsors shall fill out Form DS-2019 and maintain accurate SEVIS records" under the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) final rule eliminating duration of status (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants effective September 15, 2026.

On July 15, 2026 the Department of State (DOS) announced that effective August 1, 2026 it is "realigning visa operations" at 25 posts in Africa into "regional hubs" that will process visa applications instead of the individual posts.

On July 22, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) announced a temporary pilot program allowing certain B visa applicants at U.S. embassies and consulates in Mexico to pay an additional fee for an earlier visa interview appointment, subject to availability. The pilot, which runs through December 31, 2026, affects only interview scheduling and does not alter visa adjudication standards or guarantee visa issuance.

On July 30, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) Exchange Visitor Program published a proposed rule titled Termination of Program Participation, Extension of Program and Reinstatement to Valid Program Status. Public comments on the proposal must be received by September 28, 2026. DOS states in the proposed rule summary that their proposal seeks to: 1) "clarify the conditions under which a sponsor must terminate an exchange visitor’s program and authorizes the Department, in its discretion, to terminate an exchange visitor’s program in limited circumstances;" 2) "modifies Extension of Program and Reinstatement to valid program status in their entirety by eliminating outdated requirements and introducing updated procedures that make use of current SEVIS functionality;" 3) "amends Definitions to include definitions for 'Unauthorized Employment' and 'Valid Program Status;" 4) "and rescinds the separate extension of program provision for au pairs."

As we continue developing resources and planning events on the final D/S rule, NAFSA needs to hear from you about program-specific and institution type-specific issues. These might include, for example, community college-specific issues, health care institution-specific issues, STEM focused institution-specific issues, intensive English program-specific issues, allied health program-specific issues, and pathway programs-specific issues, among others. In short, we are looking for issues that you think may have been or may be overlooked in the discussion of how the final rule applies broadly to most institutions and programs. We want to ensure that no interest within the NAFSA community is overlooked. Please submit these issues to IssueNet "Report an ISS Issue" so we can gather, organize, and try to respond to them. And please help us by describing precisely the issues of concern.

Today DHS/ICE made available a public inspection version of its final rule to end "duration of status" (D/S) for F, J, and I nonimmigrants in favor of a fixed admission period. The rule will be officially published in the Federal Register tomorrow, July 17, 2026, and will become effective on September 15, 2026, 60 days after the date of official publication. Until then, the current regulations will continue to fully govern all aspects of F and J practice. Consult NAFSA's page for links and analysis of the final rule, which we will update as insight and understanding progress.

The 2026 regulatory agenda was posted on Reginfo.gov in July, 2026. Among other items, F-1 practical training is still on the agenda, as well as several employment-based packages relating to prevailing wages, PERM, and H-1B reform.

On June 30, 2026 the U.S. Supreme Court held that "Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are 'subject to the jurisdiction' of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause." The ruling affirms a district court's judgment that blocks President Trump's January 2025 Executive Order that sought to limit birthright citizenship.

NAFSA is collecting information on how student/exchange visitor visa appointment unavailability and visa issuance challenges at U.S. consulates abroad are affecting international enrollment, planning, and operations for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. Go to NAFSA IssueNet to access the survey.