|
Hot Topics
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...
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...
New Direct Filing Rules for Forms I-129 and
I-539
Beginning April 2, 2007, Forms I-129 and I-539 must be filed
according to new bispecialization filing rules for those forms.
Read NAFSA's advisory...
UK Cuts Fees for International Student
Visas
The United Kingdom has reduced the visa fees it charges to
international students.
Read more...
DHS Launches Traveler Redress Inquiry
Program
(2/27/07)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched its new Traveler
Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) . DHS TRIP can be used by
individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties
they experienced during their U.S. entry or exit.
Resources on Interest-Free Student Loans
(2/6/07)
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...
Passports Required for U.S., Canadian,
Mexican, and Bermudan Air Travelers Starting January
(12/5/06)
The U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection published a final rule to implement Phase One of the Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The rule, effective January 23,
2007, will require valid passports of all U.S. citizens as well as all
nonimmigrant aliens with citizenship in Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico,
departing from or entering the United States from within the Western
Hemisphere at air ports-of-entry. A separate, future rulemaking will
address land and sea travelers.
Read the rule...
DOS Announces 2008 DV Lottery Rules
(9/26/06)
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that applications for the
2008 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will be accepted between 12 p.m. (E.D.T.)
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 and 12 p.m. (E.S.T.) Sunday, December 3,
2006. Applicants must submit their DV entry form online.
Read the DOS announcement...
Homeland Security Department Unveils IMAGE
Program
(8/1/06)
DHS has announced its new IMAGE program (ICE Mutual Agreement
between Government and Employers), which is designed to help
employers build a legal workforce through voluntary partnerships
with the government and the implementation of best hiring practices
to reduce instances of unlawful employment.
Read more...
DOS Issues Final Rule on Review of Visa
Issuances and Denials
(7/31/06)
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a final rule that requires all
visa issuances to be reviewed by a consular supervisor, while reducing
the instances in which visa refusals are automatically reviewed.
Currently, visa issuances are only reviewed on a “spot-check” basis.
This rule will require all visa issuances to be reviewed “on the day of
issuance or as soon as is administratively possible,” effective June 30,
2006.
Read the DOS rule...
Local USCIS Offices To Stop Processing and
Producing EADs (7/31/06)
USCIS announced that it is discontinuing
local production of Form I-688B Employment Authorization Card (EAC) in
favor of Form I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) produced at
one central location using national systems.
Read more...
Experts advise vaccination checks as mumps outbreak spreads
(5/16/06)
Parents are being advised to verify that their children have received
two MMR vaccinations, and adults should consider getting them now if
they haven't, as an outbreak of mumps that started in the Midwest
spreads east. The outbreak of 2,869 cases so far is said to be the worst
in 20 years and is expected to continue spreading.
Read more...
COC SNAC Club (5/16/06)
Hi Everyone,
Do you know of any students who are interested in a career in
health/nutrition/fitness/wellness? If so, then SNAC is a GREAT club for
students to get experience in planning/implementing health & wellness
programs for the campus and SCV community!
Read more...
Temporary Position in the
ISP Application Deadline (5/16/06)
We would
like to inform you that the deadline to apply for the temporary summer
position at the ISP office (see below) is this Wednesday, May 17.
Please come to the ISP office and fill
out an application if you are interested.
Temporary Position in the
ISP office Summer 2006 (5/8/06)
We are looking to hire one of our ISP students in the ISP office during July
and August, 2006. Please come to our office for an application if
you are a student in our program and interested in this part-time work and feel you have appropriate
English language skills to answer phones, give directions to persons who
walk into our office, etc. Compensation and hours will be
discussed with those who have been called for an interview. Please
come to the ISP office and fill out an application if you are
interested.
NEW – AUTOMATED WAITLIST
Move from the waitlist into the class before the term begins!
(5/8/06)
This summer we are showcasing a new registration feature that we think
students will love. It is called an automated waitlist and it means
even though a class you are interested in may have no seats when you
first attempt to register, if you put yourself on the waitlist, we will
enroll you in the class as seats become available.
Read more...
Measures Taken to Address U.S. Visa Appointment Backlog in France
The U.S. Embassy in Paris has announced that due to increased demand,
French citizens who need a visa now face at least a nine-week wait to
obtain a visa interview appointment. To address this, the Paris embassy
has reorganized its resources to process more visas, and the U.S.
embassies in Berlin, Bern, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, and Madrid have
agreed to accept visa applications from French citizens.
DOS Extends Initial F and M Visa Filing Window to 120 Days
A February 9, 2006 U.S. Department of State (DOS) cable instructs
consular posts that persons applying for initial-entry F-1, F-2, M-1,
and M-2 visas may now be issued these visas up to 120 days before the
program start date as listed on their Form I-20. The prior policy was to
issue these visas no more than 90 days prior to the F or M program start
date.
Read the cable...
Cable Discusses Validity of F/M Visas after Break in Study
A recent U.S. Department of State (DOS) cable discusses whether F/M
visas continue to be valid after a break in studies longer than five
months.
Read more...
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Raises Filing Fees
USCIS announced it will increase fees for immigration benefit
applications and petitions. The fee increases (approximately $10) apply
to forms filed on or after October 26, 2005. This Federal Register
notice was issued September 26, 2005.
Read the notice...
Diversity Visa Lottery to Begin October 5
The Department of State's 2007 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will begin at
noon on October 5, 2005. Persons seeking to enter the lottery program
must register online at
www.dvlottery.state.gov. The site will be available noon October 5,
2005 through noon December 4, 2005.
Read more...
DOS Extends Visa Validity for Chinese Students, Exchange Visitors
The Department of State has announced it will extend visa validity for
Chinese students, exchange visitors, and vocational students (F, J and M
visas).
Read more...
Machine-Readable Passport Exemption Nears End
As of June 26, the Department of Homeland
Security will stop granting exemptions to Visa Waiver Program travelers
that do not have machine-readable passports.
Read more...
Funding for Asian Students With Summer
Internships Deadline April 15
The Institute of International Education (IIE), a NAFSA Global Partner,
is accepting applications for Freeman ASSIST, which funds students from
East and Southeast Asia in the United States who have secured
internships with U.S. nonprofits for summer 2005.
Read more...
VWP
Travelers Subject to US-VISIT, New Passport Requirements
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
travelers became subject to the US-VISIT program's entry and exit
procedures as of September 30. In addition, beginning October 26, VWP
travelers from all 27 VWP countries will have to present
machine-readable passports (MRPs) to be admitted under the VWP. The MRP
requirement applies only to travelers from VWP countries who wish to
enter the United States visa-free as business or tourist visitors under
the VWP; it does not apply to travelers that enter the United States on
the basis of a nonimmigrant visa. For information on both changes,
access:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html.
Wait
Times for Visa Interviews Now Available Online
DOS is now publishing on its
Web site the average wait times for nonimmigrant visa interviews and for
the processing of nonimmigrant visa applications. The wait times are
listed by post. To access the wait-time site, go to:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php.
New
USCIS Photo Specifications
On August 2, the Department
of Homeland Security's (DHS) Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) announced that, after September 1, applications
requiring photos filed must include the new-style full-face photo. To
read the practice advisory, access:
http://www.nafsa.org/practice.
DOS
Announces Change in Visa Validity for Chinese Tourist, Business
Travelers
DOS announced that beginning
January 15, eligible Chinese nationals who wish to visit the United
States temporarily for business or tourism will be issued visas that are
valid for 12 months and multiple entries. In turn, U.S. citizens
visiting China temporarily for business or tourism are also eligible for
visas valid for 12 months and multiple entries. The previous maximum
validity for U.S. visas issued for these purposes was six months and for
multiple entries. DOS reports that it is continuing to negotiate with
China to increase visa validity for Chinese and U.S. students. To view
the DOS press release, access:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/40818.htm.
NAFSA
Practice Advisory Discusses New OPT Travel Restriction
New DHS interpretations of travel while on postcompletion OPT,
discusses the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) office's
recent operating instruction that states a student traveling with a
postcompletion OPT EAD card must have a job or job offer to be
readmitted to the United States after a temporary absence abroad. To
view the advisory, access:
http://www.nafsa.org/practice.
[PDF file]
Posted: January 26, 2005
|
