Risk Assessment and Crisis Management

Crisis Response: Best Practices for International Offices That Don't Have Dedicated Emergency Staff

May 7, 2020

Did you read the article in IE Magazine about emergency response plans, but your institutions doesn’t have dedicated staff to fulfill responsibilities outlined in the piece? Several of the sources interviewed for the article have recommendations for colleges and universities who want to bolster

Continuity of Operations for the International Office

Adapted from a March 10, 2020 post on the NAFSA International Scholar Advising Network by Tina Rousselot de Saint Céran (Georgia Tech), chair of the NAFSA Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KCISSS). There are multiple considerations for the transition from in-person

The USCIS Special Situations Page

November 12, 2025

USCIS's Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances page (formerly called the "Special Situations" page) describes long-standing, preexisting options that might be of use in an emergency situation. The page states: "USCIS has discretion to take the following measures on a case-by

Responding to a Worldwide Health Crisis and Travel Restrictions

Recent concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus has myriad implications for the international education community in the United States and abroad. This Town Hall for NAFSA members provided context for the current challenges for international educators and shared updates on the travel

Health and Safety Management for Secondary School Programs Abroad

While planning rich educational experiences abroad, don’t forget to plan for health and safety—especially when those students are minors. Requiring careful planning and critical training of your stakeholders, you will learn actions to take pre-departure and while students are abroad. Develop a

Student Health and Safety Abroad

Optimize student health and safety protocols abroad through inclusive preventative measures, comprehensive mental health support strategies, and empowering frameworks that enhance the well-being for diverse international student populations. See full details!

Risk Assessment and Crisis Management in Education Abroad Programming

Deploy effective education abroad crisis protocols through comprehensive risk assessment strategies, prevention planning, and advanced response frameworks designed to expedite emergency decisions and safeguard international programs. Explore now!

NAFSA Resources for Operational Resilience

NASFA offers these resources and guidance on crisis management for COVID-19 and other crises for the international education community. NAFSA hopes this information helps you, your programs, and your students during this challenging time.

Town Hall: Public Health and International Education – What's Now and What's Next

International educators have had to quickly adjust and shift to a different environment to support their students and scholars and manage expectations due to the impact of COVID-19. This Town Hall features a public health expert and an IIE researcher alongside seasoned international educators. The

SEVP COVID-19 Guidance Sources

May 12, 2023

SEVP Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities On May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) terminated its Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance to coincide with the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency. An updated FAQ provides answers to frequently asked