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 Guidance Directive 2023-01 Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities But Introduces New Interpretations on Hybrid or Virtual Work and Learning

June 14, 2023

A June 9, 2023 BridgeUSA Guidance Directive 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. BridgeUSA is the J Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) office within the

Government Session Materials from the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo

NAFSA has made available to NAFSA members these slides from the Government Current Issues sessions at the 2023 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Current Issues (May 31, 2023). Slides. Department of Labor (DOL): Current Issues (May 31, 2023). Slides

STEM-Specific Policy Guidance for National Interest Waivers of the Labor Certification Requirement

Summary In the employment-based second preference (EB-2) category, the requirement of a job offer from a U.S. employer can be waived if an individual's services "in the sciences, arts, professions, or business" are determined to be in the "national interest." This is known as a "national interest

CIS Ombudsman Corrects Tip Sheet on How F-1 Students Seeking OPT Can Avoid Form I-765 Delays

On September 18, 2023, the CIS Ombudsman posted a revised tip sheet titled How F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) Can Avoid Form I-765 Delays. The revision corrects an error in the prior (May 8, 2023) tip sheet that NAFSA brought to the office's attention. An Ombudsman's office

Digital Signing and Electronic Transmission of Form DS-2019

A Department of State (DOS) interim final rule published at 88 FR 18249 (March 28, 2023) allowed digital signing and electronic transmission of exchange visitor Form DS-2019, effective April 27, 2023. Forms DS-3036, DS-3037, and DS-7002 may also be digitally signed and electronically transmitted

DOS Raises Visa Processing Fees Effective June 17, 2023

A Department of State (DOS) final rule published at 88 FR 18243 (March 28, 2023) raises key visa processing fees, effective June 17, 2023. For example, the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee for F-1, J-1, and other non-petition-based visas rises 15.6%, and the MRV fee for petition-based categories such

Department of Education Title IV Guidance Regarding Third-Party Servicers

UPDATES: The U.S. Department of Education announced in a October 21, 2024 court filing that it will formally rescind the Dear Colleague Letter of February 2023 which proposed major changes to the definition of third-party servicer. It is gratifying to see the department heed the advice of its

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

Starting in 2025-2026, visa-exempt travelers from over 60 countries who wish to travel to or through Schengen area countries will have to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorization before they travel. ETIAS authorization will work something like the U

USCIS Adds Basic F-1 SSR Content to USCIS Policy Manual

On February 22, 2023, USCIS added basic content on F-1 Special Student Relief (SSR) off-campus employment authorization to the USCIS Policy Manual. The new content confirms that Form I-765 code (c)(3)(iii) should be used when requesting SSR off-campus employment authorization, and that USCIS should

DOS Extends Initial F and M Visa Issuance Window to 365 Days

In February, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) revised its policies to now allow consular officers to issue an F or M student visa up to 365 days in advance of a new student's I-20 program start date. See: A February 21, 2023 DOS tweet, and content on the DOS Student Visa Page (updated on February