Compliance Management

NAFSA Regulatory Engagement

Advisers facilitate the goals of international educational exchange while ensuring institutional and individual compliance with applicable laws and government policies. The resources below can assist advisers in this demanding role. NAFSA IssueNet - All international education professionals are

F-1 Advising: Getting Started

As a new international student adviser, you need to get up to speed quickly to ensure compliance among F-1 students. This self-paced course brings you into the office of a typical university to work with and support their international students. Through six online modules, you will address the many

USCIS Memo Rescinds Deference Policy in Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Petition Extension Cases

An October 23, 2017 USCIS memo rescinds a 14-year-old policy that had given deference to prior eligibility determinations when adjudicating an extension of stay petition "involving the same parties (petitioner and beneficiary) and the same underlying facts."

Resources for Secondary School International Educators

Resources to support secondary school professionals that work in the areas of immigration and regulations, recruitment and admissions, programming and administration, and intensive English programs.

USCIS Policy on Filing Bridge Applications During COS to F-1 or M-1 Status

Effective July 20, 2021, USCIS has eliminated its prior policy that had required applicants applying to change their status to F-1 student to file "bridge" applications while their change of status (COS) to F-1 applications were pending.

GAO Agrees to Review USCIS Backlogs

On May 31, 2019, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) agreed to open an investigation into the backlog of immigration cases at USCIS, following a request from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and House Democrats. Read the CHC request Read GAO's letter accepting the request The Congressional

Advising Caseloads: Finding the Right Fit

This resource presents traditional and experimental models of advising caseloads and explores some of the pros and cons of each at different types of institutions. This resource is geared toward practitioners and managers seeking new ideas for their office structures.