Exchange Visitors and Exchange Visitor Programs

Transcript of DOS Subpart A Final Rule Webinar for Academic Sponsors

Transcript of the post-implementation Subpart A webinar presented by the Department of State on January 30, 2015.

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

Requirements to Carry Immigration Registration Document and Report Change of Address

March 9, 2025

Nonimmigrants and lawful permanent residents must carry their "evidence of registration" document at all times. Usually, this is Form I-94 for nonimmigrants, or Form I-551 (green card) for lawful permanent residents. They must also report any address changes within 10 days of the address change.

DOS Expands Presumption of Misrepresentation Rule to 90 Days

On January 23, 2019 and April 1, 2019, DOS tweaked the 90-day rule language in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) in a positive direction, by removing a reference that was thought to unfairly flag students.

Accrual of Unlawful Presence and F, J, and M Nonimmigrants

On August 9, 2018, USCIS made fundamental changes to its policy on how an immigration status violation might lead to a finding that an F, M, or J nonimmigrant should be subject to the 3- or 10-year reentry bar provisions of INA 212(a)(9)(B). A February 6, 2020 nationwide permanent injunction blocked

SEVIS F, M, and J Fee Adjustments

The final SEVIS fee rule was published in the Federal Register on May 23, 2019, and became effective on June 24, 2019. It raises the I-901 SEVIS fee paid by F-1 and M-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, raises the initial school certification fee that SEVP charges new F and M schools, and adds a

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

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

NAFSA Comments on Proposed Exchange Visitor Program Fee Increase

NAFSA comment letter on the proposed rule increasing Exchange Visitor Program fees, published at 78 Fed. Reg. 6263 (Jan. 30, 2013).

DOS Proposes Raising Exchange Visitor Program Fees

On January 30, 2013, the Department of State (DOS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would substantially raise the fees associated with the J-1 exchange visitor program.