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

Presidential Authority to Suspend Entry of Noncitizens Under INA 212(f)/8 USC 1182(f)

INA 212(f); 8 USC 1182(f) grants a President broad power to suspend or impose restrictions, "by proclamation," on the entry of "aliens" (the INA defines alien as "any person not a citizen or national of the United States") when he or she finds that such entry "would be detrimental to the interests

Immigration and Visa Implications of First Amendment Activity by International Students and Scholars

December 6, 2024

International students and scholars are protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which among other things prohibits Congress from making a law “abridging the freedom of speech… or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” However, activity on and off campus that results in

Archive - Immigration Executive Actions Under the First Trump Administration

Below for reference are listed certain executive and agency actions affecting higher education immigration under the first Trump administration (January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021). Bolter, Jessica, Emma Israel, and Sarah Pierce. Four Years of Profound Change: Immigration Policy during the Trump

2024 Exchange Visitor Skills List

The Department of State's (DOS) 2024 Revised Exchange Visitor Skills List became effective on December 9, 2024, and applies to exchange visitors who acquire J-1 status on or after December 9, 2024, and exchange visitors who had been subject to INA 212(e) on the skills list basis under a prior list

Immigration and Visa Implications of First Amendment Activity by International Students and Scholars

Resources for Individuals Affected by Events in Lebanon

This NAFSA page collects U.S. government immigration resources for individuals affected by events in Lebanon. DOS Visa Processing Guidance The U.S. Department of State (DOS) published a page on U.S. Visa Guidance for Individuals Affected by Events in Lebanon, which covers both immigrant and

U.S. Directs Planes Carrying Persons Who Recently Traveled to Rwanda to Land Only at Three U.S. Airports

On December 6, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register notice titled Termination of Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights Carrying Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise Present Within Rwanda . See 89 FR 96898 (December 6, 2024). Document

USCIS Updates EB-11 Extraordinary Ability Guidance in USCIS Policy Manual

On October 2, 2024, USCIS revised the Employment Based First Preference 1 (EB-11) "Extraordinary Ability" guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to: Confirm "that we consider a person’s receipt of team awards under the criterion for lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for

DOS Clarifies That J Visa Can Be Used Following Standard Program Transfer

On August 15, 2024, the Department of State (DOS) updated its Foreign Affairs Manual to allow use of an unexpired J-1 visa following a standard program transfer. Under the prior policy, an exchange visitor who traveled after transferring J programs needed a new J visa that reflected the transfer-in

USCIS Enterprise Change of Address Tool

The USCIS Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) tool allows individuals with pending applications, petitions, or requests to update their address online via their MyUSCIS account. This tool removes the need to update addresses in multiple places or submit a paper form. The tool is accessible to all