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

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Second Quarter 2025

June 20, 2025

April, May, June, 2025 Highlighting the top issues reported through NAFSA IssueNet. Prepared by Randa Meyer, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Brian Groves, University of California-San Francisco Top Issues SEVP Issue 1: SEVIS Record Terminations Institutions continued to report more SEVIS

Possible Expansion of Travel Ban

June 16, 2025

On June 14, 2025 news outlets began reporting that an internal Department of State memo sent that day to consular posts indicated that 36 more countries will be given 60 days to meet the Trump administration's benchmarks and requirements or face either a partial or full entry ban. See Trump

Student and Exchange Visitor Visa Appointment Capacity and DOS Guidance on Expanded Social Media Screening

July 15, 2025

NAFSA Advisory: Expanded Online Presence Vetting Policy for F, M, J Visa Applicants Executive Summary On June 18, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) instructed consulates worldwide to implement a mandatory expansion of social media vetting for all F, M, and J visa applicants (students and exchange

Presidential Proclamation on F, M, Js Planning to Begin Attending Harvard University

June 26, 2025

Proclamation 10948 of June 4, 2025, Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University On June 4, 2025 President Trump issued a proclamation "to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally to participate in a course of study at

Presidential Proclamation Orders Travel Bans

June 25, 2025

Summary Presidential Proclamation 10949 of June 4, 2025: Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats establishes a "full" travel ban on 12 countries and a "partial" travel ban on 7 countries

Focus on China and Chinese Students and Scholars

Focus on China and Chinese Students and Scholars The Trump-Vance administration has been focusing on Chinese nationals in academic settings, citing concerns over intellectual property theft and espionage. This NAFSA page tracks these recent efforts as well as prior efforts. Trade-related leverage

SEVIS Release 6.82.2 to Revise SEVIS "Disciplinary Action" Page

July 16, 2025

SEVIS Release 6.82.2, implemented on May 30, 2025, revised the "Disciplinary Action" page in F-1/M-1 SEVIS RTI. The SEVIS Release 6.82.2 Planning Guide (May 21, 2025) described the changes as follows: Updated the Disciplinary Action page fields: Explanation of Disciplinary Action Taken: Added 1000

Harvard Suit Challenges Revocation of SEVP Certification

June 26, 2025

Key Takeaway A pair of preliminary injunctions issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on June 20 and June 23, 2025 currently block the Department of Homeland Security's May 22, 2025 revocation of Harvard University's SEVP certification and the June 4, 2025 Presidential

New FAM Provision Focuses on F-1 "Sole Pursuit of Study" Requirement

Summary: On April 29, 2025 DOS added a new explanatory section to the Foreign Affairs Manual at 9 FAM 402.5-5(C)(1), titled Intent to Solely Pursue a Full Course of Study. However, the entire new section is unavailable to the public. The Immigration and Nationality Act at INA 101(a)(15)(F) [8 USC

DOS Adds New Reporting Requirements to EVP Incident Reporting Rubric

In 2025 the Department of State (DOS) added several new incident reporting requirements to its Incident Reporting Rubric for academic exchange visitor program (J-1) sponsors. View and download the current Incident Reporting Rubric from the link on the BridgeUSA Academic Program Sponsor's page, or