Compliance Management

NAFSA Resource on USCIS H-1B Adjudications and RFEs Questioning Level I Wage Selection

NAFSA Practice Resource on H-1B Requests for Evidence (RFEs) related to the use of Wage Level I prevailing wage determinations (PWDs) and eligibility for H-1B classification. The resource provides some basic information on what is currently known, and a “back-to-basics” reminder of the legal

The 60-Day F-1 Grace Period and Adjudication or Revocation of Cap-Gap Petitions After October 1

NAFSA asks SEVP and USCIS to consider 60-day OPT grace period in H-1B cap-gap denial and revocation decisions made after October 1, 2017.

Practical Training Reform

CRS Backgrounder on Optional Practical Training For some background, read the Congressional Research Service's ( CRS) In Focus Report: Optional Practical Training (OPT) for Foreign Students in the United States, IF 12631 (May 30, 2025), transcribed by NAFSA . Recent Challenges to OPT under the

Compilation of Agency Initiatives from the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

NAFSA compilation of immigration-related regulatory actions in the current Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions that are most relevant to institutions that invite international students and scholars to the United States.

Key Takeaways from the December 5, 2017 DOL OFLC Stakeholder Meeting

Key Takeaways from the December 5, 2017 DOL OFLC Stakeholder Meeting.

Top Issues Reported in NAFSA IssueNet

Here you'll find ISS-RP summaries of the top 3-5 topics reported to IssueNet each quarter.

USCIS Policy Memo Provides Guidance on Itinerary Requirements for H-1B Petitions

On February 22, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published Policy Memorandum PM-602-0157, "relating to H-1B petitions filed for workers who will be employed at one or more third-party worksites."

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - January 2018

H1-B denials and the 60-day window. Multiple cases were reported of F-1 students whose H1B petitions were denied in early October and lost their 60 day grace period (immediate termination).

Accrual of Unlawful Presence and F, J, and M Nonimmigrants

April 15, 2025

On August 9, 2018, USCIS made fundamental changes to its policy on how an immigration status violation might lead to a finding that an F, M, or J nonimmigrant should be subject to the 3- or 10-year reentry bar provisions of INA 212(a)(9)(B). A February 6, 2020 nationwide permanent injunction blocked

SEVP Student Portal

The SEVP Portal "will allow F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) and M-1 students participating in practical training to report address, telephone and employer information to SEVP without relying upon their designated school official (DSO) to update their information."