On June 5, 2023, USCIS changed the service center filing location for filing Form I-129 TN free trade petitions (for noncitizens from Canada and Mexico), from the Vermont Service Center (VSC) to the Texas Service Center (TSC). USCIS will continue to accept TN Forms I-129 filed at the VSC during a 60-day grace period, but will reject TN I-129 petitions filed at the VSC after the grace period. Despite the grace period, Form I-129 TN filers should begin now filing their petitions at the TSC address listed on the USCIS Form I-129 Direct Filing Addresses page.

An E-Verify website news item notifies E-Verify users of the planned disposal of E-Verify records that were last updated on or before December 31, 2012: "E-Verify Records Disposal - On June 24, 2023, USCIS will dispose of E‑Verify records that are more than 10 years old, which are those last updated on or before Dec. 31, 2012. E‑Verify employers have until June 23, 2023, to download case information from the Historic Records Report if they want to retain information about these E-Verify cases. Employers who have not already done so must record the E‑Verify case verification number on the corresponding Form I‑9, Employment Eligibility Verification, or attach a copy of the case details page to the Form I‑9. Employers should retain the Historic Records Report with the Forms I‑9. For more information and guidance on downloading the Historic Records Report, see the fact sheet (PDF) and instructions for downloading (PDF)."

NAFSA members have access to the slides from the agency-focused "Current issues" sessions presented at the 2023 NAFSA Annual Conference.

A Federal Register notice to be published on May 26, 2023 will delay the effective date of new DOS visa fee hikes until June 17, 2023, to provide time for Congressional review under the Congressional Review Act. The new fees were originally set to go into effect on May 30, 2023.

On May 12, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) communicated that it has terminated its COVID-19 guidance to coincide with the May 11, 2023 end of the COVID-19 National and Public Health Emergencies. An updated FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions from SEVP stakeholders about the impact of the termination of COVID-19 flexibilities.

As of May 12, 2023, nonimmigrant travelers to the United States are no longer subject to the requirement that they be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccination before boarding an aircraft destined to the United States or before entering the United States through a land or ferry port of entry.

Beginning June 1, 2023 Form ETA 9089 applications for permanent labor certification must be filed through the new PERM functionality in the Department of Labor's FLAG system. Filers may begin creating and staging applications in FLAG on April 24, 2023, but must wait until June 1, 2023 to file the application. The original deadline to start using the new PERM functionality in FLAG was May 16, 2023, but on May 11, 2023 DOL delayed the deadline until June 1, 2023.

On May 8, 2023, DHS submitted a STEM Designated Degree Program List item to OMB for review, which indicates they are planning a revision to the January 21, 2022 list. No further details are available at this time. Stay tuned to NAFSA's DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List page for updates.

A Department of State (DOS) interim final rule effective April 27, 2023 will allow digital signing and electronic transmission of exchange visitor Form DS-2019. The rule will also eliminate the requirement that paper DS-2019s be signed only in blue ink.As an interim final rule, DOS will also accept public comments until May 30, 2023, even though the rule will automatically go into effect on April 27. Instructions for commenting can be found in the Federal Register notice.

A Federal Register notice to be published on April 5, 2023 confirms the details of Special Student Relief benefits for Ukrainian J-1 college and university students until October 23, 2023.