Proposed 2010 USCIS Fee Adjustments (6/15/10)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed changing its processing fees and modifying the structure of the fee regulations to pave the way for the eventual implementation of electronic filing through its "Transformation" initiative. Public comment will be due on or before July 26, 2010. Read more...

DOS Raises Visa Fee Effective June 4, 2010 (5/25/10)
The Department of State (DOS) will raise the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) fee, effective June 4, 2010. The MRV fee for all nonimmigrant visa types prior to June 4, 2010 was $131. The interim final rule implements, for the first time, a tiered fee structure that distinguishes between the fee charged for different kinds of nonimmigrant visas. New MRV fee for H, L, O, P, Q, and R visas: $150. New fee for E visas: $ 390. New fee for K visas: $ 350. New MRV fee for all other nonimmigrant visas: $ 140. Read more...

DHS to Eliminate I-94W for VWP Visitors by Summer 2010 (5/25/10)
In a May 20, 2010, press release, the Department of Homeland Security announced that by the end of summer 2010 it plans to eliminate the use of paper I-94W forms for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers who have an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Read more...

Review of Requirements to Carry Immigration Documents and Report Address Changes (5/18/10)
A NAFSA Practice Advisory reviews the requirements that nonimmigrants must carry their Form I-94 and report address changes. Although these requirements have been law for many years, many individuals might not be aware of them, or may need to be reminded of them. Read more...

Immigration Plan Would Give STEM Grad Students Green Cards (3/23/10)
If passed, a new bipartisan immigration reform plan would give a boost to efforts by U.S. universities to recruit the top science and graduate students from around the world. The plan unveiled in an op-ed in The Washington Post by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), , and Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC) would give a green card to those from outside the United States who receive a doctoral or master's degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Read more...

Travel Warning Issued for Mexico (3/16/10)
On Sunday, March 14, the Department of State issued a Travel Warning for Mexico, due to an increase in violent attacks by drug cartels. Of particular concern, is the U.S./Mexico border region, including Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Matamoros, Reynosa and Monterrey. Engage with colleagues on this issue and access resources on NAFSA's Developing and Managing Programs Abroad Professional Network. Read more...

USCIS Implements Lockbox Filing For Several Application Forms (3/2/10)
Several key forms, including Form I-765, Form I-485, Form I-102, and Form I-824 must now be initially filed with USCIS lockboxes, instead of USCIS Service Centers. U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) states that this is "part of an overall effort to transition the intake of some benefit forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities." Read more...

USCIS Memo on Employer-Employee Relationship in H-1B Petitions (1/19/10)
USCIS stated in a recent field memo that "an employer who seeks to sponsor a temporary worker in an H-1B specialty occupation is required to establish a valid employer-employee relationship." Read more...

H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2010 (1/5/10)
USCIS has announced that as of December 21, 2009, it has received sufficient petitions to reach the statutory H-1B cap for FY 2010. All cap-subject petitions received on December 21, 2009, itself will be subject to a "computer generated random selection process" that will assign any remaining FY 2010 H-1B numbers to petitions selected in that process. Those petitions received on December 21, 2009, that are not selected in the random selection process, and any petitions requesting a FY 2010 start date that are received after December 21, 2009, will be returned to the petitioner. Read more...

State Department Proposes Raising Machine Readable Visa Fees (12/15/09)
The Department of State (DOS) has proposed raising the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee. The proposed fee structure would for the first time distinguish between the MRV fee charged for different kinds of nonimmigrant visas. Comments from the public are due by February 12, 2010. Read more...

State Department Cable Advises on Worldwide Implementation of DS-160 (12/15/09)
A Department of State (DOS) cable advises consular posts of DOS's plans to implement worldwide the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa electronic application by spring 2010. The DS-160 is an electronic form that combines Forms DS-156, 157, and 158. Read more...

Tijuana Consulate Requires Online DS-160 Visa Application Form (11/17/09)
Starting November 9, 2009, individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana will be required to submit the new online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. Read more...

Drop in F-1 Student Visas Issued in India (10/27/09)
Fewer F-1 student visas were issued for the United States in India in fiscal year 2009 than in fiscal year 2008, according to a report in The Times of India. Read more...

State Department Issues H1N1 Travel Alert Regarding China (9/25/09)
On September 25, 2009, the U.S. Department of State alerted U.S. citizens to the quarantine measures imposed by the government of China in response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic that may affect travel to China. This Travel Alert updates the July 9, 2009, Travel Alert in order to advise U.S. citizens of the current quarantine situation. This alert expires on December 30, 2009. Read more...

Embassy of France Announces Change in Visa Policy at All U.S. Consulates (9/22/09)
The Embassy of France has announced that biometrics will be mandatory for all student visas for France beginning this fall. This will impact visa processing at the Washington, DC, consulate and will be implemented at all French consulates in the United States. For details on these changes and the new immigration registration requirements in France, visit NAFSA's France visa Web page at www.nafsa.org/FranceVisas.

Online Student Employment Eligibility Database Now Online (8/24/09)
Supervisors looking for student workers now have a new tool at their disposal: the Student Employment Eligibility Database (SEED). Now available online via the college's Intranet, SEED allows students to complete applications online and supervisors to conduct searches based on applicants' availability, experience, academic background and funding source. All applicants will be screened and interviewed by Career Services before being placed in the database. For more information, contact Yasser Issa at Ext. 3438 or yasser.issa@canyons.edu.

Volunteers Needed for Science, Engineering Education (8/24/09)
Continually exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the academic experience associated with the college's science and engineering programs, the College of the Canyons Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering Technologies (MSET) division is looking to establish partnerships with individuals interested in advancing technology-based education in the Santa Clarita Valley. The MSET division has launched the Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) program to establish a series of collaborative partnerships with volunteers interested in opportunities to share their knowledge and expertise in an academic setting. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to contact Dr. Ram Manvi at ram.manvi@canyons.edu or Ext. 3135. For information, please visit http://www.canyons.edu/Divisions/MathSci.
More: http://www.canyons.edu/Offices/PIO/nr081309voluntee.html

College Introduces New Program to Improve Student Success (8/24/09)
College of the Canyons will introduce a new program this fall for students who need additional academic support and skills to help them succeed in the college classroom. Sponsored by the Skills for Success initiative, the program will offer instructor-led one-hour workshops on a variety of topics from fractions to essay writing. All workshops and activities are free. For more information, visit http://www.canyons.edu/offices/CTE/collegesuccess/studentresources.asp.
More: http://www.canyons.edu/Offices/PIO/nr082009success.html

USCIS Guidance on Case Status Inquiries with Service Centers (8/11/09)
On August 6, 2009, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted guidance on making inquiries about case-related issues arising out of cases filed at Service Centers. The three-step process involves a succession of contacts with the National Customer Service Center (NCSC), the Service-Center itself, and ultimately with USCIS headquarters. A timeline and contact information are included in the guidance. Read more...

DHS Pilots US-VISIT Departure Processes at Detroit and Atlanta Airports (6/9/2009)
The Department of Homeland Security began a pilot program on May 28, 2009, at the Detroit and Atlanta airports to test collection of fingerprints and biographic information by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the departure gate, and by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the security checkpoint. Read more...

SEVP Limits I-901 Credit Card Payments for Some Countries (6/9/2009)
Due to the prevalence of fraudulent I-901 fee charge-back practices in certain countries, SEVP is currently unable to accept credit card payments made on behalf of students or exchange visitors from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Kenya. If a student or exchange visitor is from one of these countries, the I-901 fee must be paid by cashier's check, money order, or Western Union transfer. Read more...

State Department Announces Visa Improvements for Students, Scholars in Sciences (6/9/2009)
At NAFSA's annual conference in Los Angeles, the State Department announced important changes to the visa clearance process to relieve lengthy delays experienced earlier this year by international students, scholars, and researchers studying in the sciences. The State Department announced that it has added resources and revised procedures to help reduce processing times for routine applications from students and scholars requiring a Visas Mantis clearance to two weeks. NAFSAns should see the results of these changes quite soon, and the State Department expects these processing changes to be permanent. Read more...

Visa Waiver Program Developments (1/13/2009)
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has undergone some important changes, including the addition of new countries to the program and the requirement for VWP passengers to obtain pretravel authorization through an electronic screening system called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) starting January 12, 2009.
Read more...

I-901 Fee Payment System is Not Issuing Confirmations (1/6/2009)
SEVP announced that the online fee payment system for potential F, M, or J nonimmigrants who must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee is not appropriately issuing a confirmation after payment is made. SEVP advises that if the confirmation page does not appear within two minutes, the individual should not resubmit the payment, but should instead request a confirmation by e-mailing fmjfee.sevis@dhs.gov. Read more...

Use of Online DS-160 Visa Increasingly Required (11/25/2008)
Some U.S. consulates abroad are now requiring visa applicants to use the online DS-160 form. The consulates in Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Montreal, and Vancouver now require the DS-160 online form for all Non-Immigrant Visas, and the consulate in Hong Kong requires for petition-based applicants (H, L, O, P, and Q visas). Visa applicants should confirm a consulate's policy on the consulate's Web site. Screenshots and description of the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Electronic Visa Application are available on the NAFSA Web site. Read more...

Guidance on Unemployment During OPT (11/18/2008)
While the current SEVP Policy Guidance and SEVIS functionality do not fully address what happens if a student on postcompletion OPT accrues more than the allotted number of days of unemployment, SEVP has provided some guidance to clarify the role of DHS and DSOs. Read more...

New Countries and Mandatory ESTA Registration for Visa Waiver Program (11/18/2008)
The following new countries were added to the visa waiver program (VWP) effective Nov. 17, 2008: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Republic of Korea, and the Slovak Republic. As of January 12, 2009, all VWP air and sea travelers will also be required to register online and obtain a travel authorization before they begin travel to the United States under the electronic prescreening system called ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Read more...

USCIS Responds to 2008 USCIS Ombud Report
USCIS responds to recommendations made in the USCIS Ombudsman Annual Report 2008, highlighting actions taken by the agency to achieve some of the Ombud recommendations. These include adjudication of certain applications when the FBI name check has been pending for more than 180 days, providing an EAD with a validity period of two years for certain applicants, planning for transformation, and improving customer service.
Read more...

More Countries to be Added to Visa Waiver Program
On October 17, President Bush announced that seven additional countries will be added to the Visa Waiver Program. A number of other countries are currently working toward meeting the requirements to be admitted to the program as part of the "visa waiver road map." Read more...

USCIS Guidance on EAD Delays Over 90 Days
The USCIS Ombudsman's office has been working with USCIS to alleviate issues stemming from Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) processing times over 90 days. On October 1, 2008, USCIS headquarters advised the USCIS Ombudsman's office that it will immediately (1) audit its caseload to determine which cases have been pending for more than 70 days, (2) process service requests at 75 days rather than 90 days, and (3) adjudicate EADs that are outside normal processing times within four hours for customers that appear at local offices.
Read more...

Visa Processing Delays in Pakistan
Recent events, including the bombing of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, are impacting visa processing for Pakistani students who'd planned to attend universities in the United States and the United Kingdom, reports the Daily Times of Pakistan. Read more...

Department of Labor Updates Now Online
Read the summary of the latest Quarterly Stakeholders Meeting with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification for updates on PERM and LCA processing times, changes to the ETA-9089 and ETA-9035 forms and instructions, and plans to integrate the LCA and PERM online systems. Please submit your questions or trends for follow up with DOL during biweekly submissions or the next Stakeholders' Meeting to IssueNet: Report an Issue.

ICE Publishes SEVIS Fee/Recert Final Rule; Provides Recertification Guidance
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) published the final SEVIS fee/recertification rule September 26, 2008, and the rule is effective October 27, 2008. Changes include: fee hikes of SEVIS I-901, initial certification, and site visit fees; rules for recertification of F and M schools; and new I-17 and maintenance of school certification rules. On September 25, SEVP sent a broadcast message to SEVIS users with additional information about the recertification process, including timelines. Read more...

Chemical Engineering is Back on STEM Designated Degree List
After inadvertently omitting Chemical Engineering from the previous STEM Designated Degree List, SEVP has again included CIP code 14.0701 for Chemical Engineering in the updated STEM Designated Degree List. In a broadcast message to SEVIS users on September 25, 2008, SEVP outlined steps that can be taken if an application for STEM OPT extension was denied by USCIS due to the inadvertent omission of Chemical Engineering (code 14.0701) from the previous DHS STEM Designated Degree List. Read more...

Non-citizen scholarships
http://www.maldef.org/pdf/Scholarships.pdf

Canada Announces New Immigration Category that Could Benefit Foreign Students
Canada, in an effort to attract and retain foreign students, has recently made changes to its immigration policies. A new immigration category would offer a new opportunity for foreign graduates of Canadian universities to establish permanent residency. Read more...

U.S. Embassy in Iraq Now Accepts Student and Exchange Visitor Visa Applications
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad reports that on August 5 it began accepting applications for F student and J exchange visitor visas. Prior to this, Iraqi applicants had to seek a visa at a U.S. consulate elsewhere in the world. The Web site advises, however, that "these visa applications require administrative processing that is performed in Washington, DC," and asks that "applications be submitted at least 90 days prior to the estimated date of departure in order to complete administrative processing," noting that administrative processing can take even longer than 90 days, especially during the summer travel season.  Read more...

Resources on Interest-Free Student Loan
Applications accepted year-round. The Rowe Fund is the student loan program of the Organization of American States. It awards interest-free loans to qualified persons from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help finance graduate, postgraduate, and the final two years of undergraduate studies at accredited universities within the United States. Read more...

SEVP Policy Guidance: Updates to Post-Completion Optional Practical Training
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a 30-page policy guidance for DSOs regarding the April 8, 2008, interim final rule on optional practical training. Read more...

US-VISIT to Collect Biometrics at Air/Sea Ports Upon Exit
On April 24, 2008, DHS published a proposed rule to establish an exit program at all air and sea ports of departure. The proposed rule would require most aliens to provide biometric information to commercial air and vessel carriers before departing from the United States. Read more...

DHS Proposes Rule on SEVIS Fees and Recertification
On April 11, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted an advance copy of a proposed rule with an effective date of October 1, 2008 that would raise the SEVIS I-901 fee for F-1, M-1, and most J-1 nonimmigrants, as well as the fee for initial SEVIS school certification for F/M schools. The rule also specifies basic requirements for recertification and amends school reporting and recordkeeping requirements. DHS has indicated that the rule will be published in the Federal Register sometime this week. Stay tuned to www.nafsa.org/sevisfeerule for updates. Read more...

OPT Rule to Become Effective April 8, 2008
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an interim final rule today, April 8, 2008, regarding OPT. The rule is effective immediately, although DHS has allowed 60 days for public comment due by June 7, 2008. The rule contains provisions regarding a 29-month extension for STEM graduates, a "cap gap" provision to extend status and employment authorization for F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions, an extended filing window for I-765 for OPT applications, limited periods of unemployment while on OPT, and additional reporting requirements. Additional information is available on the Web at www.nafsa.org/OPT29. Read more...

Update on Optional Practical Training (OPT) Data Validation Project
Following comments from NAFSA leaders and staff, Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has delayed the project deadline to June 15, 2008, limited the project to students whose OPT duration extends past June 30, 2008, and simplified the process for completing the project. Last week, SEVP began sending instructions to schools with any students on OPT last week and plans to finish by April 14, 2008. On March 31, 2008, SEVP also responded to questions related to the spreadsheets with student information. Read more...

Updates on OPT Data Validation Project
On March 13, 2008, SEVP officials met with NAFSA Regulatory Ombudspersons, the chair of NAFSA's SEVIS Subcommittee, and NAFSA staff during the annual Regulatory Ombudsperson training in Washington, D.C. SEVP provided more information regarding the proposed project and is considering some of the concerns of NAFSAns. Read more...

Practice Advisory on New I-539 Form
USCIS has updated Form I-539 (Rev. 12/31/2007). New features include a new checkbox for "Reinstatement to student status," a stronger statement on providing information on prior participation as a J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant, greatly expanded applicant background questions, and language competency statements. Read more...

Fines for I-9 Violations To Be Raised March 27, 2008
A Department of Homeland Security rule will raise by approximately 25 percent the fines levied on employers who violate IRCA's employer sanctions. The new fines will become effective March 27, 2008. Read more...

DHS Publishes Final Rule To Implement REAL ID (2/5/08)
A DHS final rule effective March 31, 2008 establishes minimum standards under the REAL ID Act for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that federal agencies would accept for entering federal facilities, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, or entering nuclear power plants on or after May 11, 2008. The final rule continues to present serious obstacles to many nonimmigrants who will seek to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, including limited duration and requirements for specific documents establishing identity and lawful presence. Read more...

Nonimmigrant Visa Fee to Increase Jan. 1, 2008 (1/2/08)
The Department of State (DOS) announced that effective January 1, 2008, the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee charged to nonimmigrant visa applicants will increase from $100 to $131. Read more...

New Employment Start Date Restrictions on F-1 and M-1 SSN Applications (12/12/07)
The Social Security Administration (SSA) published new guidance on evidence requirements for F-1 and M-1 students applying for a Social Security Number. Read more...

Nineteen Senators Urge Secretary Chertoff to Extend Optional Practical Training (12/4/07) In a November 8 letter to DHS Secretary Chertoff, 19 Senators urged the secretary to extend optional practical training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months. In a separate letter, NAFSA President and CEO Marlene M. Johnson also urged Secretary Chertoff to make this regulatory change.  Read more...

Alert: New December Date for UK Biometrics Requirement  (11/28/07)
In a change from last week's announcement, all applications for UK visas needing prior entry clearance, including student visas, submitted on or after December 3, 2007 will require 'biometric' information as part of the visa application process. Visa applications will not be processed until the applicant has provided the necessary biometric information.
Since the online visa application, including the prompt to submit biometric information, is expected to go live on Monday, December 3, 2007, NAFSA recommends that students requiring a visa for the spring semester apply online, or ensure that paper applications are received, on or before this Friday, November 30, 2007.
The required biometric information consists of digital scans of all 10 fingers and a full-face digital photograph. Applicants will be required to submit biometric information at one of 129 Application Support Centers (ASC) located across the United States. While the actual process will take no more than 10 minutes to complete, students will need to plan accordingly for travel to the ASC.
The UK government has contracted with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect biometric information at USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC). To find the closest ASC by zip code or state, see the USCIS Service and Office Locator.
If a visa application is submitted online, the applicant will be automatically directed to another Web site to make a biometrics appointment. All applicants must make appointments through the UKVisas online appointment booking system. The applicant should not contact USCIS directly to make a biometrics appointment. If you are not automatically redirected to the online appointment booking system, or if you have submitted a paper application, the online appointment booking system will be available on the UKVisas online system from December 1, 2007.
For more information and links, see UK Student Visa Requires New Form & Biometrics.

OS Posts DV-2009 Greencard Lottery Instructions (10/2/07)
DOS will accept online entries for the 2009 Diversity Visa Greencard Lottery (DV-2009) from Noon EDT on October 3, 2007 until Noon EST on December 2, 2007.  read more...

July 2007 Effective Date Reminders (7/23/07)
A reminder of four important July 2007 effective dates:
1) New USCIS filing fees go into effect July 30;
2) New J trainee and intern regulations go into effect July 19;
3) New Department of Labor rules on labor certification validity and payment of employer attorney fees went into effect July 16;
4) New Direct Filing addresses for Forms I-485, I-131, I-140, I-765, and I-907 go into effect July 30.

USCIS Fee Hikes Effective July 30, 2007 (6/12/07)
The filing fees of many USCIS applications and petitions will be substantially raised effective July 30, 2007. 
Read more...

DOS Discontinues "Application Received" Stamp (5/9/07)
DOS says modern technology makes the old stamp signaling visa refusal obsolete. Read more...

Biometric Visa Program Moves to 10 Fingerscans (5/9/07)
The Department of State announced that it is transitioning to a 10-fingerscan system for its Biometric Visa Program.  Read more...

CBP Completes US-VISIT Exit Pilot (5/9/07)
Effective May 6, 2007, visitors are no longer required to check out at a US-VISIT exit kiosk when they leave the United States.  Read more...