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

USCIS Revises Procedure for Determining When to File Adjustment of Status Applications

Effective October, 2015, USCIS has revised the procedures for determining when adjustment of status applications may be filed. The new process may allow some applicants to file their adjustment applications earlier, and become eligible for adjustment applicant benefits like advance parole and

STEM OPT Rulemaking

DHS published the final 24-month STEM OPT rule in the Federal Register at 81 FR 13039 (March 11, 2016).

Notes and Handouts from Sep. 18, 2015 USCIS Vermont Service Center Stakeholder Meeting

The Vermont Service Center (VSC) Stakeholder Conference was a general USCIS conference that addressed several topics of interests to its stakeholders, and didn’t focus on one particular specialty. It was designed to give participants important updates on various processing at the VSC.

Landscape of Third-Party Pathway Partnerships in the United States

This research deepens the understanding of the landscape of existing pathway partnerships by providing a working definition, a broad typology, and select characteristics of institutions.

2015 Stakeholder Issues Response Report

SEVP issues “Stakeholder Response Report” to address Issues raised at 2015 NAFSA Annual Conference.

Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015

The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (signed into law on December 18, 2015 as part of the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Public Law 114-113), imposes new restrictions on use of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

USCIS Fee and Form Changes 2016

New USCIS filing fees and form version become effective on December 23, 2016. "Applications or petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after December 23, 2016 must include the new fee." Applications and petitions must also be filed on the latest edition of the required form.

2016 Proposed Changes to the OES Survey

NAFSA comments on proposed changes to the OES wage survey.

NAFSA Asks USCIS to Approve STEM OPT Transition Applications

NAFSA letter to USCIS asking the agency to favorably consider STEM OPT applications filed after May 9 that were accompanied by a 17-month STEM OPT recommendation, and denied on that sole basis.

DOS Guidance Directive 2016-03 - Exchange Visitors and prudential visa revocations

This DOS Guidance Directive confirms that a visa that was prudentially revoked because of a DUI arrest or conviction does not necessarily invalidate a J-1 nonimmigrant's immigration status, as long as he or she remains in the United States. However, the Directive goes on to state that sponsors