Regulatory Information

Exchange Visitors and Exchange Visitor Programs

Fees, Forms, Filing Procedures

Institutional Obligations and Compliance

International Faculty, Staff, Researchers

International Students and Schools

U.S. Immigration Systems, Data, Status, and Concepts

Visas, Travel, Entry

EVP Sponsor Call QA - March 27, 2020

On March 27, 2020, the Department of State hosted a teleconference for J-1 exchange program sponsors. Reproduced below for convenience are the questions and answers arising out of that call, which are now posted on the Exchange Vistior Program's COVID-19 page. DOS divided the Q and A into five

OFLC Will Permanently Issue Electronic PERM Labor Certifications

On March 25, 2020, the Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification began sending approved permanent labor certifications by email, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 25, 2020, OFLC "announced that it is permanently adopting the electronic issuance of PERM labor

Department of State COVID-19 Global Health Advisory

August 6, 2020

UPDATE. On August 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of State removed the Level 4 (do not travel) global health advisory that had been in place since March 19, 2020, and returned to country-specific advisories. Read more on the DOS travel advisories web page. Also see the DOS COVID-19 Traveler Information

NAFSA Signs on to ACE Higher Education Association Letter to DOS and DHS on COVID-19

NAFSA signed on with other higher education associations to a March 16, 2020 American Council on Education (ACE) letter sent to the Departments of State and Homeland Security. Read the ACE Letter to DOS and DHS The letter asks for clarifications to the following questions: "Can students maintain

NAFSA Letter to DHS on Regulatory Issues and COVID-19

In a March 16, 2020 letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership, NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Esther Brimmer requested DHS exercise its discretion to allow for flexibility in adjudication of benefit requests and status determinations for international students and scholars who are

SEVP COVID-19 Guidance Sources

May 12, 2023

SEVP Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities On May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) terminated its Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance to coincide with the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency. An updated FAQ provides answers to frequently asked

SEVP Broadcast Message 2001-05: 2019 Novel Coronavirus and F and M nonimmigrants

March 14, 2020

On January 29, 2020, SEVP issued Broadcast Message 2001-05, its first in a series of Coronavirus guidance messages. It is reproduced below, and available on the ice.gov website. Make sure to read this first Broadcast Message in the context of the subsequent SEVP guidance that amends, clarifies and

SEVP March 13, 2020 COVID-19 Follow-Up Guidance

March 14, 2020

On March 12, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provided NAFSA with the following statement: “SEVP is committed to remaining flexible in allowing schools to make temporary procedural adaptations so nonimmigrant students can continue to make normal forward progress in their program

ECA Asks Academic and Government Programs to Follow Guidance Governing ECA-Funded Programs

J-1 exchange visitor program sponsors may have recently received the below email message from the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Office of Academic and Government Programs, which references a March 12, 2020 announcement for ECA-funded exchange programs that

Online Coursework Taken Abroad Under School COVID-19 Policies

On the night of March 12, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provided NAFSA with the following statement: “SEVP is committed to remaining flexible in allowing schools to make temporary procedural adaptations so nonimmigrant students can continue to make normal forward progress in