As Congress and the White House continue to work towards approving a 2024 federal budget, remember that immigration-related agencies like DHS, DOS, and DOL are affected in different ways by a budget shutdown. Refresh you understanding and link to official agency shutdown plans on NAFSA's page.

On September 18, 2023, SEVP confirmed in new policy guidance that the Form I-983 Training Plan used for STEM OPT benefits may be signed and transmitted electronically.

"On Sept. 25, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will sunset the SEVP External Training Application (SETA) as the program works to redesign and relaunch the training. Prior to Sept. 25, 2023, SETA users should download their SETA transcripts if they wish. Transcripts will not be accessible following Sept. 25, 2023."

On September 8, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Consular Affairs announced that DOS is working on "developing the capability to issue a digital visa authorization (DVA) instead of the traditional visa printed and placed in applicants' passports. The U.S. Embassy in Dublin is conducting a limited DVA proof of concept with a small number of K-1 (fiancé(e)) visas," and stated that "If this initial proof of concept is successful, we envisage extending the DVA to other visa classes and additional posts in the future."

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published Federal Register notices extending Special Student Relief (SSR) benefits for eligible F-1 students from Sudan, South Sudan, and Ukraine. DHS also extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs for the three countries.

On August 18, 2023, the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (DOL OFLC) published a round of FAQs on the wildfires in Hawaii. The FAQs cover deadline flexibilities, communication matters, LCAs and the relocation of H-1B workers, and other details.

On August 24, 2023, the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (DOL OFLC) published a fourth round of FAQs on the H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 programs. Rounds 1-3 were published between 2011-2015. Most of the FAQs are helpful restatements of policy regarding LCA obligations when a worker is moved to a location that was not intended when the LCA was filed.

On August 24, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) rescinded its 4 rounds of COVID-19 FAQs from 2020.

A reminder that F-1 cap-gap employment benefits last only through September 30 each year. If USCIS has not yet approved the H-1B petition and change of status application on which a student's cap-gap benefit is based, the student cannot work beyond September 30, 2023, until USCIS approves the H-1B petition.

NAFSA's Nonimmigrant Visa Toolbox for Advisers page has links to NAFSA's visa refusal survey and to useful visa-related resources.