International Students Program - Hot Topics
USCIS will close its field office in Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Updated on: 5/31/13
USCIS will close its field office in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Thursday, June 20, 2013. The USCIS Field Office in San Salvador, El Salvador, will assume Tegucigalpa’s former jurisdiction (Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua), and the U.S Department of State (DOS) Embassy in Tegucigalpa will assume responsibility for certain requests. Please visit USCIS.Gov for more information.
Roll-out of Electronic Automated I-94 Begins April 30, 2013
Updated on: 4/26/13
On March 27, 2013, CBP publish an interim final rule that paved the way for an automated, electronic I-94 system at air and sea ports of entry. Beginning April 30, CBP will initiate a 4-week roll-out of the electronic process. Under the new system, an electronic Form I-94 will be created for most nonimmigrants arriving at air and sea ports of entry, and the nonimmigrant will no longer complete or receive a paper Form I-94. Individuals in need of their Form I-94 number will be able to access their information on a dedicated CBP website, and print out their information to provide to benefit-granting agencies, if needed. CBP will also accept public comment on their interim final rule until April 26, 2013.
Summer Break Travel Reminder
Updated on: 4/15/13
Summer break is approaching on many school calendars. If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you should take a moment to review travel rules so you can maintain your student status. <http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/>
2013 TOEFL Scholarships Are Now Available
Updated on: 3/6/13
The TOEFL Scholarship Program is now open to students living in China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Scholarships will be awarded to 119 students starting undergraduate or graduate degrees at an institution in the TOEFL® Destinations Directory (PDF).
DOS Implements Online Visa Application Status Check Tool
Updated on: 1/9/13
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has implemented an online tool that nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applicants can use to check the status of their application.
SEVP submits proposed rule on number of DSOs and F-2/M-2 part-time study
Updated on: 1/6/13
On December 21, 2012, SEVP submitted for OMB review a promising proposed rule that will "provide additional flexibility to schools in determining the number of" DSOs a school can assign on its Form I-17, and "permit F-2 and M-2 spouses and children accompanying academic and vocational nonimmigrant students with F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant status to enroll in study at an SEVP-certified school so long as any study remains less than a full course of study." After OMB review, the rule will be published as proposed, allowing public comment. After SEVP analyzes that comment it can resubmit a final rule to OMB. No proposed changes become effective until a final rule is published in the Federal Register.
DHS updates STEM Designated Degree Program List
Updated on: 5/15/12
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an updated STEM-Designated Degree Program List on May 11, 2012. The updated list, which is used to determine eligibility for STEM optional practical training extensions, contains several new fields and includes numerous ".99" CIP codes as well.
On May 23, 2008, NAFSA submitted a comment letter to DHS advocating the addition of a number of STEM degrees, including the important .99 codes.