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

Key Takeaways from the September 26, 2018 DOL OFLC Stakeholder Meeting

The Employment-Based Subcommittee of NAFSA's International Student and Scholar Regulatory Practice Committee (ISS RP) developed this list of key takeaways for practitioners in higher education, from notes taken at the Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) Stakeholder

DOS Guidance Directive 2018-01 Advises on J-1 Academic Training and Student Interns

On August 10, 2018, the Department of State issued Guidance Directive 2018-01 - College and University Student Category: Avoiding Unskilled Placements in Academic Training and Student Internship Programs. The directive communicates the Department's perspective on a number of aspects of the J-1

DHS Proposes Changes to Public Charge Rules

On October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule entitled Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds. DHS published the final rule on August 14, 2019.

SEVP Broadcast Message 1810-03: SEVIS Release 6.41 Details

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that SEVIS Release 6.41, scheduled to be implemented on October 26, 2018, will change how SEVIS calculates days of unemployment while a student is on standard or STEM post-completion optional practical training (OPT).

SEVIS 6.41 to Start Counting Unemployment While on OPT in the Aggregate

SEVIS Release 6.41, implemented on October 26, 2018, changes how SEVIS calculates and displays days of unemployment while a student is on standard or STEM post-completion OPT. The new counters display the aggregate count of unemployment within each OPT segment.

Proposal to Replace Duration of Status

November 15, 2024

DHS proposed eliminating the duration of status (D/S) admission period with "a maximum period of authorized stay, and options for extensions, for each applicable visa category." DHS withdrew the proposal on July 6, 2021.

Trending Regulatory Issues

NAFSA members facilitate the goals of international educational exchange while ensuring institutional and individual compliance with applicable laws and government policies. This page describes major immigration-related issues of concern to international educators. Consult NAFSA's Regulatory

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - September 2018

Top issues reported to NAFSA IssueNet from July 2018 - September 2018

Unlawful Presence Litigation

Information related to the litigation challenging USCIS's August 9, 2018, unlawful presence policy.

DHS Proposes Petitioner Pre-Registration Requirement for Selecting H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions

On December 3, 2018, DHS proposed amending its regulations governing petitions filed on behalf of H-1B beneficiaries who may be counted toward the 65,000 H-1B cap (regular cap) or the 20,000 beneficiaries with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education who are eligible for an