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

Impact of Appropriations Lapses on Immigration Agencies

Basic page on the status of immigration-related services during government shutdowns caused by appropriations lapses.

Final H-1B Cap Filing and Processing Rule

DHS 's final H-1B cap filing and processing rule became effective on April 1, 2019.

New Version of Form I-539 and I-539A Plus Biometric Fee and Appointment

Starting March 22, 2019, USCIS will accept only the new (02/04/2019) version of Form I-539 and Form I-539A, which require each applicant and co-applicant to pay an additional $85 biometrics fee, and attend an appointment that will be scheduled at a USCIS Applicant Support Center. The new forms

GAO Report Recommends DHS Enhance Fraud Controls Over Schools

In a March 18, 2019 report titled, "Student and Exchange Visitor Program: DHS Can Take Additional Steps to Manage Fraud Risks Related to School Recertification and Program Oversight," the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends that DHS "further enhance controls over schools

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - March 2019

Summary of top issues reported to NAFSA IssueNet from November 2018 - February 2019.

Presidential Memorandum on Combating High Nonimmigrant Overstay Rates

April 24, 2019

A Presidential Memorandum on Combating High Nonimmigrant Overstay Rates (April 22, 2019) directs the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State (DOJ, DHS, DOS) to take the following actions: Within 120 days of the memorandum: DOJ, DHS, and DOS must "provide to the President recommendations

SSA Resumes Sending No-Match Letters

May 3, 2018

In March 2019 the Social Security Administration (SSA) resumed sending EDCOR notices, commonly known as "no-match" letters. SSA sends these notices to employees or employers when a name or Social Security Number (SSN) reported on Form W-2 or on self-employment reports does not match SSA's records

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Connecting Our World is the advocacy home of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and its nearly 10,000 members worldwide. We believe that international education—connecting students, scholars, educators, and citizens across borders—is fundamental to advancing peace, security, and well

Regulatory Information

U.S. immigration news and regulatory resources for NAFSA members who work with international students and scholars.

ESL Pathway Program Q&A with SEVP

In October 2016, SEVP released final guidance on ESL Pathway Programs. Through this Government Connection, attendees learned the definition of a Pathway Program and its differences with conditional admissions.