Compliance Management

Coronavirus Critical Resources

NAFSA assembled these resource links to help navigate issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This content is being maintained for reference purposes.
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DOS Limits Use of B Visas for Birth Tourism

A Department of State (DOS) final rule prohibits consular officers from issuing B visas if they determine the applicant's principal purpose is what the administration calls "birth tourism." See 85 FR 4219 (January 24, 2020), effective on the date of publication. DOS published this as a direct final
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Fee-Based Service Model Considerations

By NAFSA International Student and Scholar Services Knowledge Community (KC ISSS) 2018 Robin Catmur-Smith, Barbara Kappler, Nate Lynch, Tina Rousselot de Saint Céran Overview Regulatory compliance obligations for institutions sponsoring international students and scholars have grown significantly in
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Practice Advisory on F-1 Cap-Gap Benefits

Overview This NAFSA practice advisory explores how the H-B cap registration and filing system interacts with F-1 cap-gap rules. It has been updated to reflect the cap-gap changes made by the final rule published at 89 FR 103054 (December 18, 2024), effective January 17, 2025. The final rule makes
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Implementation of ESTA for VWP Entry at Land Ports of Entry

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interim final rule published at 87 FR 18967 (April 1, 2022) expanded the ESTA pre-registration requirement to Visa Waiver Program (VWP) visitors planning to enter the United States through land ports of entry. Before the October 1, 2022 implementation date
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Developing Policy

IEM Spotlight, Vol. 19, Winter Issue | Table of Contents By Dana Brolley, University of Idaho Policies guide much of the daily work in IEM. They provide critical roadmaps for equitable decisionmaking and developing consistent and efficient processes for admissions and enrollment. Well-written
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From Paper to Parchment: Verification in the Digital Age

IEM Spotlight, Vol. 19, Winter Issue | Table of Contents By Matthew Cwiklinski, Scholaro, Inc. The future of educational credentials is digital. While this shift to digital certificates, diplomas, and transcripts makes some parts of academic credentialing much easier, there are also new risks that
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Basic 212(e) Waiver Guidance

This ISS-RP Resource provides a basic overview of the INA 212(e) waiver process. In this guide, you will find: Definitions of key terms related to INA 212(e) and the waiver process Overview of the process for requesting a waiver and the government agencies involved Questions to consider when
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