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

Regulatory Perspectives: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

NAFSA members joined NAFSA staffers David Fosnocht and Steve Springer for a discussion of F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT), the CPT regulation and agency guidance on CPT, and an overview of NAFSA’s agency liaison on CPT. What are common institutional approaches to CPT? What are the

EVP Guidance Directive 2024-01 Discusses Patient Contact in J-1 Academic Categories

On March 14, 2024 the Department of State exchange visitor program office distributed Guidance Directive 2024-01 to program sponsors, describing several factors that sponsors should "assess in the affirmative" when determining whether human or animal contact is appropriate for an academic exchange

USCIS Rule on Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity

April 12, 2024

On February 2, 2024 USCIS published a final rule effective March 4, 2024, titled Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity. Read the final rule published at 89 FR 7456 (February 2, 2024). The rule: Creates a new "beneficiary-centric" H-1B registration selection protocol

SSA Guidance Incorporating DHS and DOS Policy on Electronic Signing and Transmission of Forms I-20 and DS-2019

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated its Program Operations Manual System (POMS) to recognize DHS and DOS policies that allow DSOs and ROs to digitally sign and electronically transmit Forms I-20 and DS-2019. However, SSA has not updated its policies requiring letters supporting F-1

USCIS Launches H-1B Organizational Accounts and Online Filing of H-1B Forms I-129 and I-907

In February, 2024 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched the following online functionality for H-1B petitions: Online organizational accounts that "will allow multiple individuals within an organization, such as a company or other business entity, and their legal representatives

USCIS Premium Processing Fee Hike Effective February 26, 2024

USCIS Premium Processing Fee Hike Effective February 26, 2024 A final rule effective February 26, 2024 raises USCIS's premium processing fees as shown in the table below. See 88 FR 89539 (December 28, 2023). Forms I-907 postmarked on or after February 26, 2024 must be accompanied by the new filing

USCIS Policy Manual Guidance on F and M Students

November 26, 2024

On November 26, 2024, USCIS updated the USCIS Policy Manual section on F-1 Absences from the United States with a “technical correction” that removed a troublesome study abroad paragraph that appeared in the August 27, 2024 revision to the Policy Manual, replacing it with: “For information about

DOL Request for Information on Schedule A Occupations

On December 21, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Request for Information (RFI) on "Modernizing Schedule A to Include Consideration of Additional Occupations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Non-STEM Occupations." The RFI solicits from the public any input

SEVIS Support Contracts

Two DHS Acquisition Planning Forecast System (APFS) notices show that DHS plans recompetition solicitations for two contracts related to SEVIS. The first notice (October 27, 2023) is for the contract to “provide support to assist SEVP Federal staff with technical, analytical, and program support for

SEVP Guidance: Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students

On November 6, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students, a fact sheet and FAQ that interprets and applies F-1 regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(14) regarding the effect of a DOL-certified strike on students on optional practical