Regulatory Information

Exchange Visitors and Exchange Visitor Programs

Fees, Forms, Filing Procedures

Institutional Obligations and Compliance

International Faculty, Staff, Researchers

International Students and Schools

U.S. Immigration Systems, Data, Status, and Concepts

Visas, Travel, Entry

Visa Revocation Basics

May 29, 2020

The basic sources and processes of U.S. nonimmigrant visa revocation.

Under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Congress can review and overturn certain regulations promulgated by an executive agency, such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, the Department of State, etc. Congress can use the CRA only to invalidate an agency final rule in

OFLC Stakeholder Engagements

Links to summaries and key takeaways from public stakeholder meetings conducted by the Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), prepared by the NAFSA ISSRP EB subcommittee.

Exchange Visitor Program Guidance Directive 2020-01 - Confucius Institutes

On November 18, 2020, the Department of State's (DOS) Exchange Visitor Program (BridgeUSA) issued Guidance Directive 2020-01, Exchange Visitor Program - Confucius Institutes, which provides guidance on the relationship of college and university J-1 exchange programs to Confucius Institutes and

France Visa Updates – Study Abroad in 2021

November 13, 2020

Get the latest updates from members of NAFSA’s Consular Affairs Liaison subcommittee as you plan for 2021 programs including VFS Global processes, documentation required by the consulate, and of the French government. Please note all persons entering France must present a negative COVID PCR test

Amendments to 8 CFR 214.2(h) Effective December 7, 2020

On October 8, 2020, DHS published an interim final rule at 85 FR 63918 (October 8, 2020) titled Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program. The rule is effective on December 7, 2020. Changes include revised definitions of and standards for a "specialty occupation" and "employer

Recent Employment-Based Changes and Proposals

November 12, 2020

In the final quarter of 2020 we see a number of rule making initiatives by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) that impact the H-1B specialty occupation category and to a certain extent the PERM labor certification process: On October 8, 2020, both DHS and DOL

ICE OPT Enforcement Actions

October 22, 2020

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Wednesday preliminary results from Operation OPTical Illusion, a law enforcement operation targeting nonimmigrant students who fraudulently used the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program to remain in the United States... The operation

DOL Interim Final Rule on OES and Prevailing Wage Determinations

November 12, 2020

On October 8, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) published an interim final rule (IFR) titled Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States. The rule changes how DOL computes Level I through Level IV wage rates when it uses

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Fall 2020

October 5, 2020

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Fall 2020 Highlighting the top issues reported through NAFSA IssueNet. Prepared by Cory Owen, Chair, Student Subcommittee, International Student and Scholar Regulatory Practice (ISS RP) Committee. Top Issues Impact of COVID-19: Additional work for DSO needing to add