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

DHS Final Rule Ending Duration of Status

DHS Final Rule Ending Duration of Status Current status: Still awaiting DHS submission of a final rule to OMB. Shortlink to this page: https://www.nafsa.org/dsfinalruleanalysis This will be the NAFSA home for analysis of a future Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule expected to eliminate

DOS Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries

DOS Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries In a January 14, 2026 news posting ( slightly updated on February 2, 2026) the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a pause on the issuance of immigrant visas at U.S. consulates worldwide starting January 21, 2026 for nationals of

USCIS Final Rule on Weighted Selection of H-1B Cap-Subject Registrants and Petitioners

USCIS Final Rule on Weighted Selection of H-1B Cap-Subject Registrants and Petitioners On December 29, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security-US Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS/USCIS) published its final rule titled Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Fourth Quarter 2025

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Fourth Quarter 2025 October, November, December, 2025 Highlighting the top issues reported through NAFSA IssueNet. Prepared by Lindsey Goss, Indiana University and Janica Cimo, University of Delaware. Top Issues USCIS Issue: USCIS Case Processing Estimates Institution

Proclamation of December 16, 2025 Travel Ban Effective January 1, 2026

February 2, 2026

Summary A pair of presidential proclamations function to restrict entry to the United States by nationals of certain countries. Presidential Proclamation 10949 of June 4, 2025: Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security

SEVIS Batch URL Changes Effective January 29, 2026

A SEVIS System Notice advised SEVIS batch users that the SEVIS batch URL will change to https://batch.sevis.ice.gov/sevisbatch/ on January 29, 2026: "The SEVIS Batching URL will change to https://batch.sevis.ice.gov/sevisbatch/ on 01/29/26. You can test batching sofware in the Alpha ( https://batch

USCIS Says It Will No Longer Accept Self-Submitted Photos, and Limits Reuse of Photos

February 18, 2026

USCIS Says It Will No Longer Accept Self-Submitted Photos, and Limits Reuse of Photos On December 12, 2025 USCIS announced that it has updated is policy on photographs used in connection with immigration benefit requests, by no longer accepting self-submitted photos and limiting the circumstances in

USCIS Pauses Processing of Immigration Benefits for Nationals of Travel Ban Countries

USCIS Places Adjudication Hold on Benefits Applications Filed By or For Individuals From Travel Ban Countries A pair of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy Memoranda describe a hold that USCIS has placed a hold on adjudication of pending benefit requests submitted by applicants

Temporary Work Authorization for Adjustment Applicants

Temporary work authorization for adjustment applicants Applicants for adjustment of status (adjustment) may request employment authorization by filing Form I-765, either concurrently with the Form I-485 adjustment application, or subsequently, while the I-485 is pending. See 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(9)

Expanded DOS Online Presence Vetting Policy

NAFSA Advisory: Expanded Online Presence Vetting Policy for F, M, J, and H Visa Applicants. Recent expansion to H-1B may also cause H-1B appointment wait and visa processing times, appointment cancellations, postponements, or lack of appointment availability, and other disruptions depending on