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

SEVP Broadcast Message 2003-01: COVID-19 and Potential Procedural Adaptations for F and M Students

August 7, 2020

On March 9, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) sent Broadcast Message 2003-01, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Potential Procedural Adaptations for F and M nonimmigrant students, providing guidance on potential procedural adaptations for F and M nonimmigrant students

COVID-19 Guidance from DOS ECA for J-1 Exchange Program Sponsors

July 10, 2023

ECA Guidance Directive 2023-01 (June 8, 2023) ends ECA's temporary COVID-19 flexibilities for J-1 exchange visitors and programs effective July 1, 2023, but introduces new interpretations on hybrid or virtual work and learning. Guidance Directive 2023-01 will supersede the ECA's prior COVID-19

COVID-19 Restrictions on U.S. Visas and Entry

May 10, 2023

This page tracks U.S. visa and entry restrictions related to COVID-19. See NAFSA's Coronavirus Critical Resources Page for related information and resources. Page Contents COVID Vaccine Requirement for Nonimmigrant Air Travelers End May 11 (updated 05/10/2023) Geographic Proclamations No Longer in

Advisory on Online and Distance Education Strategies in the Context of COVID-19

"The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in most schools using on-line or distance education modalities as part of their strategy to mitigate interruptions to coursework. This has both academic implications, which apply to domestic and international students alike, and immigration questions, because of the

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - July 2019 to January 2020

Top Issues from July 2019 – January 2020 Travel Issues Multiple reports of students arriving at CBP, having their visas revoked, and being sent home either via withdraw of their application for admission or via expedited removal. These cases included the following scenarios: Chinese students accused

Coronavirus Critical Resources

August 24, 2023

NAFSA assembled these resource links to help navigate issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This content is being maintained for reference purposes.

DOS Limits Use of B Visas for Birth Tourism

A Department of State (DOS) final rule prohibits consular officers from issuing B visas if they determine the applicant's principal purpose is what the administration calls "birth tourism." See 85 FR 4219 (January 24, 2020), effective on the date of publication. DOS published this as a direct final

22cfr4131

January 23, 2020

22 CFR 41.31 Temporary visitors for business or pleasure. This NAFSA resource is a reference aid developed by the NAFSA Adviser's Manual 360 team. This is not an official edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. For information on the official edition of the Code of Federal Regulations published

Practice Advisory on F-1 Cap-Gap Benefits

Caution! For FY 2024 F-1 cap-gap purposes, the Form I-129 petition requesting change of status and an employment start date of October 1, 2023 must still be received by USCIS before the student's OPT expires (for cap-gap extension of employment benefits) or before the expiration of the student's

Implementation of ESTA for VWP Entry at Land Ports of Entry

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interim final rule published at 87 FR 18967 (April 1, 2022) expanded the ESTA pre-registration requirement to Visa Waiver Program (VWP) visitors planning to enter the United States through land ports of entry. Before the October 1, 2022 implementation date