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

Adviser's Manual 360 News Feed

You can subscribe to the Adviser's Manual 360 RSS News Feed using any RSS feed aggregator, as well as through RSS feed readers that come with web accounts like My Yahoo and email programs like Microsoft Office. Copy and paste the following feed URL into your feed aggregator or email program: https:/

SEVP Prohibits Distribution of Form I-20 to Third Parties

SEVP Policy Guidance: Form I-20 Issuance and School Use of Recruiters (June 4, 2019) is directed to the practice of releasing I-20s to "recruiters," but its language reaches more broadly than that, stating that "DSOs are only authorized to release the Form I-20 directly to nonimmigrant students

USCIS Consolidates Guidance on How It Provides Services to the Public

In a May 10, 2019 Policy Alert, USCIS announced that it is consolidating and updating its policy guidance on how USCIS provides services to the public by revising the USCIS Policy Manual at Volume 1: General Policies and Procedures, Part A, Public Services [ 1 USCIS-PM A]. According to USCIS, the

NAFSA Regulatory Engagement

Advisers facilitate the goals of international educational exchange while ensuring institutional and individual compliance with applicable laws and government policies. The resources below can assist advisers in this demanding role. NAFSA IssueNet - All international education professionals are

USCIS Memo Rescinds Deference Policy in Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Petition Extension Cases

An October 23, 2017 USCIS memo rescinds a 14-year-old policy that had given deference to prior eligibility determinations when adjudicating an extension of stay petition "involving the same parties (petitioner and beneficiary) and the same underlying facts."

New Premium Processing Fee Effective October 1, 2018

USCIS raises the Form I-907 Premium Processing fee from $1,225 to $1,410, effective October 1, 2018.

SEVP Draft Policy Guidance for Comment: F-1 and M-1 Student Employment

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program published a series of five draft policy guidance documents relating to F-1 (and some M-1) employment issues, focusing on employment other than practical training. SEVP accepted public comment on the draft guidance until September 28, 2015. Access NAFSA's

Resources for Secondary School International Educators

Resources to support secondary school professionals that work in the areas of immigration and regulations, recruitment and admissions, programming and administration, and intensive English programs.

New Filing Window Limits Availability of Yearly AC21 106 Extensions

A regulation effective January 17, 2017 will make beneficiaries of approved I-140 immigrant visa petitions who have not filed for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa within 1 year of a visa number becoming available to them ineligible for AC21 106 "lengthy delay" extensions of H-1B status

USCIS Policy on Filing Bridge Applications During COS to F-1 or M-1 Status

Effective July 20, 2021, USCIS has eliminated its prior policy that had required applicants applying to change their status to F-1 student to file "bridge" applications while their change of status (COS) to F-1 applications were pending.