Adviser's Manual 360 News Feed

A reminder that NAFSA's "Resources for Emergencies & Natural Disasters in the U.S." page has links that can help institutions and international students and scholars affected by emergencies like hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes.

On March 10, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) terminated its order that required passengers on flights originating in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to take an acceptable COVID before their departure to the United States.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ended on March 23, 2023 the COVID-19 flexibilities it had established for responses to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and other similar response-based notices and requests, and filing date requirements for filing Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion. "You must respond to any notices or requests from USCIS dated after March 23 by the deadlines listed in the notice or request." USCIS announced this end date in its last extension of the flexibilities dated January 24, 2023.

In a Federal Register notice to be published on March 13, 2023, SEVP redesignated and extended F-1 Special Student Relief eligibility for Somalia to September 17, 2024.

Citing delays faced by states due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DHS extended the deadline for having a REAL ID-compliant ID until May 7, 2025. Starting on May 7, 2025, federal agencies cannot accept driver's licenses or ID cards issued by states that are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act.

In a March 6, 2023 notice to stakeholders, USCIS announced a phase-in of optional premium processing service for certain F-1 students applying for practical training. Beginning March 6, USCIS will accept premium processing upgrade requests for pending OPT applications, and beginning April 3, USCIS will start accepting premium processing requests that are filed concurrently with Form I-765. "USCIS will reject premium processing requests for a pending Form I-765 if received before March 6, and will reject any premium processing request for an initial or concurrently filed Form I-765 that is received before April 3."

In a February 28, 2023 Broadcast Message, SEVP notified stakeholders that SEVP "continues to assess its Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) guidance following publication of the Feb. 14, 2023, Federal Register Notice announcing the anticipated end of the COVID-19 national emergency declaration on May 11, 2023."

On February 22, 2023, USCIS added basic content on F-1 Special Student Relief off-campus employment authorization to the USCIS Policy Manual. The new content confirms that Form I-765 code (c)(3)(iii) should be used when requesting SSR off-campus employment authorization, and that USCIS should issue SSR off-campus employment authorization for the shorter of the duration of the SSR validity period indicated in the Federal Register notice or the student’s academic program end date.

On February 21, 2023, NAFSA submitted a comment letter on the proposed USCIS fee rule.

The Department of State (DOS) has revised its policies to now allow consular officers to issue an F or M student visa up to 365 days in advance of a new student's I-20 program start date. Before this change, DOS could issue an F or M visa no more than 120 days before the program start date. Remember, though, that new F and M students can still not be admitted to the United States earlier than 30 days before their program start date.