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

CIS Ombud Message on Timing of F-1 EAD Production After I-765 Adjudication

On August 15, 2023, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) sent the following email to stakeholders to clarify that "premium processing timelines are separate from EAD production timelines," and to repeat USCIS's message that "F-1 EADs may take one to two

Alternative Procedure for Remote I-9 Document Examination Beginning Aug. 1, 2023 for E-Verify Employers

July 26, 2023

DHS revised its I-9 regulations effective August 1, 2023, to create a framework that allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to authorize alternative I-9 document examination procedures. See 88 FR 47990 (July 25, 2023), Optional Alternatives to the Physical Document Examination Associated with

Broadening Public Participation and Community Engagement in the Regulatory Process

July 25, 2023

On July 19, 2023 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies, titled Broadening Public Participation and Community Engagement in the Regulatory Process. The memo describes a Biden Administration goal to better inform and engage the

USCIS Adds Basic J-1 Exchange Visitor Information to USCIS Policy Manual

USCIS has added basic information on J-1 exchange visitors to the USCIS Policy Manual, in a new Part D, Exchange Visitors (J). Read: USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2: Nonimmigrants, Part D, Exchange Visitors (J) [ 2 USCIS-PM D]. USCIS Policy Alert PA-2023-17 (June 8, 2023) describes policy highlights:

DOS EVP Rebrands as BridgeUSA

"BridgeUSA" is the brand identity of the Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). The re-branding was introduced on October 27, 2020. BridgeUSA's page Introducing BridgeUSA: A New Brand Identity for the Exchange Visitor Program contains a short video introducing the brand, and text that

EVP Guidance Directive 2023-01 Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities But Introduces New Interpretations on Hybrid or Virtual Work and Learning

June 14, 2023

A June 9, 2023 BridgeUSA Guidance Directive ends ECA's temporary COVID-19 flexibilities for J-1 exchange visitors and programs effective July 1, 2023, but introduces new interpretations on hybrid or virtual work and learning. BridgeUSA is the J Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) office within the

Government Session Materials from the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo

NAFSA has made available to NAFSA members these slides from the Government Current Issues sessions at the 2023 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Current Issues (May 31, 2023). Slides. Department of Labor (DOL): Current Issues (May 31, 2023). Slides

STEM-Specific Policy Guidance for National Interest Waivers of the Labor Certification Requirement

Summary In the employment-based second preference (EB-2) category, the requirement of a job offer from a U.S. employer can be waived if an individual's services "in the sciences, arts, professions, or business" are determined to be in the "national interest." This is known as a "national interest

CIS Ombudsman Corrects Tip Sheet on How F-1 Students Seeking OPT Can Avoid Form I-765 Delays

On September 18, 2023, the CIS Ombudsman posted a revised tip sheet titled How F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) Can Avoid Form I-765 Delays. The revision corrects an error in the prior (May 8, 2023) tip sheet that NAFSA brought to the office's attention. An Ombudsman's office

Digital Signing and Electronic Transmission of Form DS-2019

A Department of State (DOS) interim final rule published at 88 FR 18249 (March 28, 2023) allows digital signing and electronic transmission of exchange visitor Form DS-2019, effective April 27, 2023. Forms DS-3036, DS-3037, and DS-7002 may also be digitally signed and electronically transmitted. The