Fees, Forms, Filing Procedures

The Department of State (DOS) proposed sharply raising key visa and processing fees, in a proposed rule published at 86 FR 74018 (December 29, 2021). For example, the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee for F-1, J-1, and other non-petition-based visas would see a 53% hike, and the MRV fee for petition

USCIS is planning to separate Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, into several individual forms. Currently, Form I-129 has a main form and various supplements used by the various nonimmigrant categories that utilize the form. The new forms will combine information from the current main

On March 19, 2021, USCIS updated its Forms Updates page to alert the public that it updated several immigration forms, including some that may be frequently encountered in the higher education context, such as Form I-129, Form I-539, and Form I-485. Other forms have been updated as well. Consult the

On January 8, 2020, USCIS changed the filing addresses for F-1 student I-765 filings, including F-1 OPT (pre-completion, post-completion and STEM OPT), off-campus employment with an international organization, and off-campus employment due to severe economic necessity. The USCIS Direct Filing

This NAFSA page tracks developments on the delays in USCIS lockbox processing of receipt notices for applications for OPT benefits. Updates June 10, 2021. A 06/10/21 USCIS news alert describes additional temporary filing flexibilities for benefits filers impacted by USCIS Lockbox delays. These

Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act Updates Rulemaking. A final rule titled Implementation of the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act was published in the Federal Register at 87 FR 18227 (March 30, 2022). The rule goes into effect on May 31, 2022, but premium processing for newly

Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker Currently, there is a single base fee for Form I-129 and a single base form, which contains a variety of supplements used for the different petition-based categories. Visit the USCIS Form I-129 page for the latest form and instructions, and fee and

Update USCIS will withdraw this proposed rule, in a Federal Register notice to be published on May 10, 2021. Background for reference purposes In a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2020, DHS proposed to change the way it defines, collects, and uses biometrics. Read

Due to past delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS has authorized temporary and limited use of an I-797 EAD approval notice (not a receipt notice) as a List C # 7 document that establishes employment authorization (but not identity) for I-9 purposes. To qualify: The I-797 approval notice must

On July 20, 2020, the Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) posted a news item regarding public comment on proposed changes to the ETA 9089 permanent labor certification (PERM) form. Comments are due by September 18, 2020. Read NAFSA's comment letter (September 10, 2020)