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

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Fall 2021

August, September, October 2021 Highlighting the top issues reported through NAFSA IssueNet. Prepared by Edyta Mika-Klimczak & Jennifer Glass, Members of the International Student and Scholar Regulatory Practice (ISS RP) Committee. Top Issues Visa and Entry Issues Many embassies and consulate

A Conversation with our Education Abroad Partners: COVID and Beyond

Study abroad during a global pandemic would be even more challenging (if not impossible) without partner organizations, providers—our friends and colleagues who are the boots on the ground and the destination-specific experts. Universities rely heavily on our partners to provide healthy and safe

SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20

Download: SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20 On November 1, 2021, SEVP notified stakeholders that it made permanent its policy allowing DSOs to electronically sign and send Form I-20: "On Nov. 1, 2021, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)

COVID Vaccine and Test Requirements for U.S. Entry

May 16, 2023

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for International Travelers to the United States Ended on May 12, 2023 As of May 12, 2023, nonimmigrant travelers to the United States are no longer subject to the requirement that they be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccination before boarding an

Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-⁠19 Pandemic

October 28, 2021

Also see NAFSA's page COVID Vaccine and Test Requirements for U.S. Entry for a summary and analysis of the proclamation. Source: The White House Briefing Room; also published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 59603 (October 28, 2021). A Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel

COVID-19 Flexibilities Regarding Form I-9

January 12, 2023

On October 11, 2022, DHS extended its COVID-19 Form I-9 flexibilities until July 31, 2023, due to "continued safety precautions related to COVID-19." The message FINAL REMINDER: DHS Ended COVID-19 Temporary Policy for Expired List B Identity Documents - 07/22/2022 on I-9 Central's Temporary Policies

List of Visa Waiver Program Countries

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for 90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. B-1 or B-2 visa. Those entering for business purposes as defined in INA 101(a)(15)(B) are admitted in WB status. Those

THRIVE Act Veterans Benefits Provision Poses Unexpected Challenge to Use of Incentive-Based Agents for International Student Recruitment

On December 21, 2021, President Biden signed into law the Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) Act, which amended veterans benefits provisions at 38 USC 3679 and 3696 to once again allow schools to engage in incentive-based arrangements to recruit foreign

Information Resources for Assisting Afghan Students and Scholars

January 6, 2023

As the situation in Afghanistan develops, this page will list immigration information resources relevant to Afghan students and scholars in and outside the United States. NAFSA Advocacy NAFSA Letter Urges DOS to Allow Afghan Women More Opportunity for U.S. Study. In a December 22, 2022 letter to

Archive: Plan to Separate Form I-129 into Several Individual Forms

DHS is not separating Form I-129 into multiple forms in the January 4, 2023 proposed fee rule, as it did in the 2020 fee rule. However, it reserves the right to take that action separately as a revision of the currently approved Form I-129 information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act