International Faculty, Staff, Researchers

Requirements to Carry Immigration Registration Document and Report Change of Address

Nonimmigrants and lawful permanent residents must carry their "evidence of registration" document at all times. Usually, this is Form I-94 for nonimmigrants, or Form I-551 (green card) for lawful permanent residents. They must also report any address changes within 10 days of the address change.

Electronic Submission of PERM Supporting Documentation

Starting April 15, 2017, a new enhancement to the PERM Case Management System (CMS) will allow employers or their representatives to electronically upload permanent labor certification supporting documentation through the PERM system.

Buy American Hire American Executive Order

On April 18, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order with a "Buy American and Hire American" theme.

INS Memo on COS for Beneficiaries of Petitions Subject to the FY 1998 H-1B Cap

Legacy INS memo states, "Where an adjudicator is aware that the beneficiary’s status has expired, or will have expired by the H-1B effective date, change of status will be denied even if the petition is approved on its merits." The memo also states that "Likewise, changes of status will be approved

DOS Expands Presumption of Misrepresentation Rule to 90 Days

On January 23, 2019 and April 1, 2019, DOS tweaked the 90-day rule language in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) in a positive direction, by removing a reference that was thought to unfairly flag students.

DHS Proposes Changes to Public Charge Rules

On October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule entitled Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds. DHS published the final rule on August 14, 2019.

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

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