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

SEVP Broadcast Message 2101-01: Enforcement of the Post-Completion OPT and Employer Information Requirement in SEVIS

SEVP's January 4, 2021 Broadcast Message 2101-01, titled Enforcement of the Post-Completion OPT and Employer Information Requirement in SEVIS, states that, "Institutions are certified with the understanding that they will maintain a relationship with their students throughout the educational

USCIS Application Support Centers Updates

December 29, 2020

In a December 29, 2020 Stakeholder Message, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated stakeholders on the status of appointments at Application Support Centers (ASCs) that collect biometrics for certain kinds of applications, including Form I-539 applications for change of status

SEVP Curricular Practical Training Fact Sheet

On December 18, 2019, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) made available a basic Curricular Practical Training Fact Sheet "for reminders about the federal regulations governing curricular practical training (CPT) and answers to frequently asked questions about CPT." Download the SEVP

Sudan Removed from List of State Sponsors of Terrorism

Sudan was removed from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism on December 14, 2020. The country had been on that list since August 12, 1993. In addition to clearing the way for political and financial normalization, the rescission of Sudan's State Sponsors of Terrorism designation means that its

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 January 15, 2021, DHS/USCIS released an advance copy of a final rule titled Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program, which was the Trump administration's response to a federal court having set aside the October 8, 2020 interim final rule of the same title (See court's

ina214g

November 5, 2020

This resource is a reference aid for authorized users of the NAFSA Adviser's Manual. This is not an official version of the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended or of its codification in Title 8 of the United States Code. INA Section 214(g) [ 8 USC 1184(g)] - Temporary workers and trainees

ICE OPT Enforcement Actions

"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

On D ecember 1, 2020, the October 8, 2020 DOL interim final rule was set aside by a U.S. District Court, and is no longer in effect. Related recent updates On January 14, 2021, DOL published a final rule titled Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain