Adviser's Manual 360

The NAFSA Adviser's Manual 360 is the comprehensive source on U.S. immigration policy and procedures impacting educational institutions in the United States, providing information critical to every international student and scholar services office.

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The Adviser's Manual 360 is an online, searchable knowledge base of current U.S. laws, policies, and procedures related to international student and scholar immigration and visa issues. When you purchase a one-year Adviser's Manual 360 principal license, you can access the Manual any time you need it, on your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The Manual is continually updated, to help you effectively manage compliance obligations for your institution and your students and scholars.

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NAFSA Adviser's Manual Updates and Announcements

COVID-19 Critical Resources

December 31, 2020

COVID-19 news and updates are maintained on NAFSA's Coronavirus Critical Updates page. Visit that page frequently for the latest information.

Spring 2020 Regulatory Agenda Published

July 1, 2020

On June 30, 2020, the Administration published the Spring 2020 regulatory agenda. Visit NAFSA's page to see the immigration-related highlights.

SCOTUS Rescinds DACA Rescission

June 19, 2020

On June 18, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) held that DHS’s decision to rescind DACA was arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.

USCIS Rescinds Prior Memos on Third-Party Placements, Contracts and Itineraries

June 18, 2020

In a June 17, 2020 policy memorandum, USCIS rescinded prior policy memoranda on third-party placements, contracts, and itineraries, and issued updated policy guidance in their place.

OFLC Announces Migration of Website to New Domain

June 17, 2020

On June 3, 2020, the Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification announced that in July it will move the OFLC website to a new domain.

Status of Form I-765

June 4, 2020

The current (12/26/19) edition of Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, had OMB authorization only until 05/31/20. USCIS says, "We will publish a new edition of this form soon. In the meantime, you may file using the 12/26/19 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions."

Proposal to Replace Duration of Status Moves Forward

June 4, 2020

On June 3, 2020, DHS submitted for OMB review a proposed rule that would eliminate "duration of status" for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, replacing it with a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure. This item is at the proposed rule stage, which means that future rule making will proceed through normal APA public notice and comment procedures before any final rule is published.

House Republican Letter to DHS and DOS in Support of International Students and OPT

June 3, 2020

On June 2, 2020, 21 House Republicans sent a letter to the Departments of Homeland Security and State in support of international students and Optional Practical Training (OPT). The letter, strongly supported by NAFSA, cites the many contributions of international students and scholars and encourages the Trump administration to maintain OPT.

USCIS Fee Rule Under Review at OMB

June 1, 2020

On May 29, 2020, USCIS submitted a final rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. USCIS had published a proposed rule on November 14, 2019. In the final rule, USCIS may have revised the proposed fees in response to public comment, OMB review, and other factors such as funding pressures due to COVID-19. No changes will go into effect until the final rule is published in the Federal Register with a future effective date.

Phased Resumption of Premium Processing

June 1, 2020

On May 29, 2020, USCIS announced it will resume premium processing for Forms I-129 and I-140, in phases during the month of June.

Proposal to Replace Duration of Status

June 4, 2020

This page tracks a DHS proposed rule that would eliminate "duration of status" for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, replacing it with a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure.

Practical Training Reform

May 25, 2020

Coronavirus COVID-19 Critical Resources

May 11, 2020

NAFSA has assembled these resource links to help you navigate issues arising from COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus).

Proposed USCIS Fee Changes

May 10, 2020

USCIS Unlawful Presence Policy

February 7, 2020

Travel Ban 4.0

February 7, 2020

Public Charge Rules and Forms

February 7, 2020

Current Regulatory Agenda Items

November 20, 2019

STEM OPT Employer Site Visits

August 21, 2019

WashTech OPT Litigation

August 7, 2019

The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) filed suit against both the standard 12-month OPT rule and the 24-month STEM OPT rule, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, raising many of the same substantive issues WashTech had brought up in the suit they filed against the 2008 17-month STEM OPT rule. This page summarizes the progress of this litigation.

Adviser's Manual 360

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