International Student and Scholar Services

Contributing to Comprehensive Internationalization

Crisis Management

Office Administration

Orientation, Retention, and Student Services Programming

Student and Scholar Advising

USCIS Final Rule on H-1B Modernization and F-1 Cap-Gap Flexibility

On December 18, 2024, USCIS published a final rule titled Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers. The rule became effective 30 days later, on January 17, 2025. Read the final rule published at 89 FR

Immigration and Visa Implications of First Amendment Activity by International Students and Scholars

December 6, 2024

International students and scholars are protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which among other things prohibits Congress from making a law “abridging the freedom of speech… or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” However, activity on and off campus that results in

Archive - Immigration Executive Actions Under the First Trump Administration

Below for reference are listed certain executive and agency actions affecting higher education immigration under the first Trump administration (January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021). Bolter, Jessica, Emma Israel, and Sarah Pierce. Four Years of Profound Change: Immigration Policy during the Trump

2024 Exchange Visitor Skills List

The Department of State's (DOS) 2024 Revised Exchange Visitor Skills List became effective on December 9, 2024, and applies to exchange visitors who acquire J-1 status on or after December 9, 2024, and exchange visitors who had been subject to INA 212(e) on the skills list basis under a prior list

Immigration and Visa Implications of First Amendment Activity by International Students and Scholars

Enhancing ISSS Advising: The Role of AI in Streamlining Processes

In this live discussion, panelists explored the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence on academic immigration offices. As universities and research institutions increasingly rely on global talent, the need for efficient and effective immigration processes has never been greater

USCIS: Current Issues

October 9, 2024

Since USCIS officials were unable to participate in-person in the 2024 NAFSA regional conferences, NAFSA proposed recording a session featuring USCIS officials to serve as a supplement to the agency-focused regional conference sessions. NAFSA’s Current Issues Sessions Working Group gathered your

Cultivating Excellence for Employment-Based Scholar Processing: Model Practices

This panel discussion outlined different approaches to developing an effective set of standard operating procedures and workflow with different types of software, communication with campus partners, scholars, and outside counsel in processing employment-based petitions. The content is relevant to

USCIS Updates EB-11 Extraordinary Ability Guidance in USCIS Policy Manual

On October 2, 2024, USCIS revised the Employment Based First Preference 1 (EB-11) "Extraordinary Ability" guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to: Confirm "that we consider a person’s receipt of team awards under the criterion for lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for

Driving Change in Professionalization within International Education

July/August 2024 By Kira Espiritu In our increasingly interconnected world, internationalization is a key priority for higher education institutions. Collaborative research projects, study abroad programs, and international partnerships are integral to fostering global citizenship and promoting