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

USCIS Funding Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic

On August 25, 2020, USCIS announced that due to "unprecedented spending cuts and a steady increase in daily incoming revenue and receipts," the agency "will avert an administrative furlough of more than 13,000 employees" that was scheduled to begin August 30, 2020. Despite the welcome news that

USCIS Policy Manual

The USCIS Policy Manual is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service's (USCIS) "centralized online repository for USCIS’ immigration policies," that will ultimately replace other USCIS policy repositories. Access the USCIS Policy Manual Update (May 22, 2020). USCIS has removed all Adjudicator's

Form I-539 Status

Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status is used by certain nonimmigrants to apply to USCIS for a change of nonimmigrant status or for an extension of nonimmigrant status. The form is also used by students applying for reinstatement to F-1 or M-1 student status following a status

Understanding Financial Aid for Education Abroad

Financial barriers are often cited as a roadblock for potential study abroad participants. As an education abroad professional, understanding the federal financial aid system, and how it works at your institution, can open opportunities for you to better serve your students. This NAFSA e-Learning

Essential Federal Regulations for Education Abroad

As a new Education Abroad professional, understanding the basic federal regulations that govern privacy, discrimination, and mandatory reporting is an important part of your job. In this NAFSA e-Learning Express course, you will learn how five different U.S. federal regulations affect study abroad

ECA Pauses ECA-Funded Exchange Visitor Programs

On May 12, 2020 the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "all ECA-funded in-person exchange programs will remain paused until further notice." This extends indefinitely for now the 60-day temporary pause that ECA had put into place

I Nonimmigrant Media Representatives from the PRC No Longer Admitted for D/S

Under a final DHS rule published May 11, 2020 but effective May 8, 2020, representatives of foreign information media holding passports from the People's Republic of China (PRC) will be admitted to the United States in I nonimmigrant status only for the period necessary to accomplish the authorized

Optional Practical Training Resource: Understanding the Online and Mailed Application and Troubleshooting Processes

Compiled by NAFSA members: Hanna Bliss, Laure Bordas-Isner, Sarah Brockmeyer, Joshua Davis, Michelle Massey, and Nusha Shishegar. Last updated January 26, 2023. The resource includes helpful tips on: Documents Needed to File for OPT Troubleshooting Resources: Rejected and Denied Applications

COVID-19 Public Charge Issues

A number of questions have arisen about how receipt of certain services or payments during the COVID-19 pandemic might constitute receipt of a public benefit that could trigger a public charge determination or the public benefit condition (see NAFSA's page for background on the public charge/public

Suspension of In-Person Services at Local USCIS Field Offices

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended its temporary suspension of routine in-person services at local USCIS field offices by 30 days, now saying on its website that such services will continue to be suspended "through at least June 4." The original suspension announced on March