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

National Vetting Center

On February 6, 2018, President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM 9) to establish a National Vetting Center whose principal role will be to improve the way agencies coordinate and use biographic, biometric, and contextual information from various pre-existing sources.

USCIS Policy Memo Provides Guidance on Itinerary Requirements for H-1B Petitions

On February 22, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published Policy Memorandum PM-602-0157, "relating to H-1B petitions filed for workers who will be employed at one or more third-party worksites."

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - January 2018

H1-B denials and the 60-day window. Multiple cases were reported of F-1 students whose H1B petitions were denied in early October and lost their 60 day grace period (immediate termination).

Accrual of Unlawful Presence and F, J, and M Nonimmigrants

April 15, 2025

On August 9, 2018, USCIS made fundamental changes to its policy on how an immigration status violation might lead to a finding that an F, M, or J nonimmigrant should be subject to the 3- or 10-year reentry bar provisions of INA 212(a)(9)(B). A February 6, 2020 nationwide permanent injunction blocked

NAFSA Notes on February 27, 2018 USCIS Teleconference on EAD Processing

NAFSA notes on February 27, 2018, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman teleconference focusing on issues with Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

SEVP Student Portal

The SEVP Portal "will allow F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) and M-1 students participating in practical training to report address, telephone and employer information to SEVP without relying upon their designated school official (DSO) to update their information."

Key Takeaways from the March 13, 2018 DOL OFLC Stakeholder Meeting

The Employment-Based Subcommittee of NAFSA's International Student and Scholar Regulatory Practice Committee (ISS-RP) developed this list of key takeaways for practitioners in higher education, from notes taken at the Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) Stakeholder

DOS Proposes Adding Social Media, Other Questions to DS-160 Visa Application

On March 30, 2018 the Department of State (DOS) proposed adding several additional questions to Form DS-160 (nonimmigrant) and Form DS-260 (immigrant) visa applications, including questions on the applicant's social media identifiers, telephone numbers, email addresses, and international travel

USCIS Launches Pilot Program for Processing Times

The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman describes a pilot program to track and report more accurate USCIS application and petition processing times.

NAFSA Comments on USCIS Form I-539

On April 12, 2018, NAFSA submitted a comment letter to USCIS regarding Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status.