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

Trending Regulatory Issues

NAFSA members facilitate the goals of international educational exchange while ensuring institutional and individual compliance with applicable laws and government policies. This page describes major immigration-related issues of concern to international educators. Consult NAFSA's Regulatory

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - September 2018

Top issues reported to NAFSA IssueNet from July 2018 - September 2018

Unlawful Presence Litigation

Information related to the litigation challenging USCIS's August 9, 2018, unlawful presence policy.

DHS Proposes Petitioner Pre-Registration Requirement for Selecting H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions

On December 3, 2018, DHS proposed amending its regulations governing petitions filed on behalf of H-1B beneficiaries who may be counted toward the 65,000 H-1B cap (regular cap) or the 20,000 beneficiaries with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education who are eligible for an

Impact of Appropriations Lapses on Immigration Agencies

Basic page on the status of immigration-related services during government shutdowns caused by appropriations lapses.

Final H-1B Cap Filing and Processing Rule

DHS 's final H-1B cap filing and processing rule became effective on April 1, 2019.

New Version of Form I-539 and I-539A Plus Biometric Fee and Appointment

Starting March 22, 2019, USCIS will accept only the new (02/04/2019) version of Form I-539 and Form I-539A, which require each applicant and co-applicant to pay an additional $85 biometrics fee, and attend an appointment that will be scheduled at a USCIS Applicant Support Center. The new forms

GAO Report Recommends DHS Enhance Fraud Controls Over Schools

In a March 18, 2019 report titled, "Student and Exchange Visitor Program: DHS Can Take Additional Steps to Manage Fraud Risks Related to School Recertification and Program Oversight," the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends that DHS "further enhance controls over schools

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - March 2019

Summary of top issues reported to NAFSA IssueNet from November 2018 - February 2019.

Presidential Memorandum on Combating High Nonimmigrant Overstay Rates

April 24, 2019

A Presidential Memorandum on Combating High Nonimmigrant Overstay Rates (April 22, 2019) directs the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State (DOJ, DHS, DOS) to take the following actions: Within 120 days of the memorandum: DOJ, DHS, and DOS must "provide to the President recommendations