Compliance Management

NAFSA Advisory: Expanded Online Presence Vetting Policy for F, M, J Visa Applicants Executive Summary On June 18, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) instructed consulates worldwide to implement a mandatory expansion of social media vetting for all F, M, and J visa applicants (students and exchange

Proclamation 10948 of June 4, 2025, Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University On June 4, 2025 President Trump issued a proclamation "to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally to participate in a course of study at

Note: Presidential Proclamation of December 16, 2025 modifies Proclamation 10949. See N AFSA's page on Proclamation of December 16, 2025. Summary Presidential Proclamation 10949 of June 4, 2025: Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other

Focus on China and Chinese Students and Scholars The Trump-Vance administration has been focusing on Chinese nationals in academic settings, citing concerns over intellectual property theft and espionage. This NAFSA page tracks these recent efforts as well as prior efforts. Trade-related leverage

SEVIS Release 6.82.2, implemented on May 30, 2025, revised the "Disciplinary Action" page in F-1/M-1 SEVIS RTI. The SEVIS Release 6.82.2 Planning Guide (May 21, 2025) described the changes as follows: Updated the Disciplinary Action page fields: Explanation of Disciplinary Action Taken: Added 1000

Key Takeaway A pair of preliminary injunctions issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on June 20 and June 23, 2025 currently block the Department of Homeland Security's May 22, 2025 revocation of Harvard University's SEVP certification and the June 4, 2025 Presidential

Summary: On April 29, 2025 DOS added a new explanatory section to the Foreign Affairs Manual at 9 FAM 402.5-5(C)(1), titled Intent to Solely Pursue a Full Course of Study. However, the entire new section is unavailable to the public. The Immigration and Nationality Act at INA 101(a)(15)(F) [8 USC

In 2025 the Department of State (DOS) added several new incident reporting requirements to its Incident Reporting Rubric for academic exchange visitor program (J-1) sponsors. View and download the current Incident Reporting Rubric from the link on the BridgeUSA Academic Program Sponsor's page, or

In mid-May, 2025 NAFSA members reported that certain F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) received a letter from SEVP titled “Student and Exchange Visitor Program: Notice of Failure to Report Optional Practical Training Employer and Exceeding Permissible Period of Unemployment,"

USCIS Authority to Request Interviews and Biometrics Some DHS form instructions, processes, or regulations may specifically require the filer or beneficiary to appear for an interview and/or biometric data collection. DHS regulations also allow USCIS to require any “applicant, petitioner, sponsor