1. F1 Regulatory Update/ Consular Affairs Update AMIE Meeting, July 9, 2007 Cristen Casey The University of Texas at Dallas

2. F-1 Regulatory Update

3. USCIS Fee Increases Effective July 30, 2007 Full text at: http://www.nafsa.org/regulatory_information.sec/regulatory_document_l ibrary.dlib/fees_forms_and_processing/uscis_fee_schedule_effective I-765 (new form): Work Authorization (OPT, Economic Hardship) $180 increased to $340 I-539: COS or Reinstatement $200 increased to $300 I-102: Replacement of I94 $160 increased to $320

4. SEVIS 5.7 Upgrade Full text at: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/SevisRelease57fm.pdf http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/SevisRelease57fm.pdf Enhancements to: Initial Status Student Actions, Student Major/Minor Selection, Student/Dependent Search, OPT Edit Command, Pending Status OPT Display, Reinstatement Update Successful Updates to: Registration Current Session End Date, M-1 Extension New Program End Date, Defer Attendance, Country Lists/Tables, Visa Issuance Post List/Table

5. ICE Transfer Update Terminated & completed records can again be transferred (DSO’s transfer out form to include permission to discuss the student’s case with the new school) Transfer of newly arrived students permissible CPT and OPT terminate on transfer release date

6. SEVIS Recertification Nothing yet released. Keep informed with www.ice.gov/sevis or www.nafsa.org.www.ice.gov/sevis www.nafsa.org Process is: proposed rule, comment period, final rule. Recertification cannot begin prior to final rule being published Schools authorized to continue until final rule is published.

7. I-515A Use this address instead of one on form: SEVP, ATTN: Form I-515A Processing Team Chester Arthur Building 425 I Street, NW, Suite 6034 Washington, DC 20536 If student will travel within 30 days, expedite by faxing I-515A, I94 and airline ticket to 202-353-4625

8. US VISIT Effective May 6, 2007, international visitors are no longer required to check out at a US VISIT exit kiosk. All other exit procedures remain the same, including: Exit interview for NSEERS registrants. I-94 must be submitted to airline/ship rep

9. Request For Evidence (RFE) Changes Effective June 18, 2007 USCIS given authority to outright deny applications/petitions that do not have all required documents or do not sufficiently reflect eligibility for benefit When RFE issued, no longer bound to give 12 weeks response time

10. Direct Filing of I-765 (F related benefits) Applicants with residence in Texas continue to file at TSC For more information: http://nafsa.org/regulatory_information.s ec/regulatory_document_library.dlib/fee s_forms_and_processing/direct_filing_o f_forms

11. SSN and OPT Can apply if OPT I20 and OPT Receipt Notice Problems and delays, contact SSA first. If no response, email SEVIS.source@dhs.gov.

12. Reinstatements sent to Service Centers Began October 30, 2006 File directly with Vermont Service Center Questions about pending applications go to Nat’l Customer Service Call Center, web- based case status service, or contacting the service center from which they received last notice.

13. USCIS Discontinues Local Production of Interim EADs As of September 1, 2006, USCIS has discontinued production of EADs at local USCIS offices InfoPass appointments still available to those whose I-765s have been pending over 90 days, but EADs will be produced by Service Centers Students are encouraged to apply for OPT at least 90 days prior to desired start date

14. F-1 students with I-485 pending ICE guidance: keep their F-1 status “alive” in SEVIS If students drop below full course, travel on Advance Parole or use EAD off-campus, terminate in SEVIS with a note “I-485 pending, A number” Texas Service Center: these students are not eligible for OPT, TSC will issue EAD in C(0)(9) category (PR-pending)

15. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Requires all travelers (including citizens of the US, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas) to use a passport to enter the US Implemented in 2 phases: 1/23/2007 for air travel 1/1/2008 for land and sea travel

16. Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) DHS TRIP can be used by individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experiences during their U.S. entry or exit: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/gc_116 9676919316.shtm http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/gc_116 9676919316.shtm

17. Consular Affairs Update

18. Visas and Admission Discontinuation of Application Received Stamp (showing visa refusal), effective January 2007 E-passports required for WB/ WT entrants, effective October 2006 Personal Appearance requirement expands restrictions for personal appearance waivers 14 – 79 age range

19. What is verified at visa application time: Enough English to function? Plan that has them going back? Can applicant articulate the plan? Interview, approximately 3-5 minutes Note: Consular official doesn’t see program start/ end dates or notes in SEVIS.

20. Types of Visa Clearances Class (flags) Identification (fingerprints, soon to be 10 print) Facial recognition (personal interview) Mantis (field of study, valid for 48 months for Fs from most countries) Security Clearance problems: 202-663-1851

21. Consular Affairs: The Next Generation Web-based visa applications Unified appointment system On-line payment All electronic visa (no passport stamp) 10 fingerprint scans (by end of 2007)

22. DSO Resources

23. Consular questions: How do I inquire about… A specific case: usvisa@state.gov or 202- 663-1225usvisa@state.gov Status of a visa clearance: 202-663-1851 Clearance for certain citizens: travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm Visa regulations: FOIA.state.gov J Waiver review problems: 202-663-1225

24. Texas Service Center: How do I inquire about… Region III Website Regulatory Updates: http://www.nafsa3.org/regupdates/regup dates.asp http://www.nafsa3.org/regupdates/regup dates.asp Inquiry Procedures Fax Inquiry Form Fax #: (214) 962-1450 Email Inquiry: tsc.schools@dhs.govtsc.schools@dhs.gov

25. Resolving SEVI Hits for non-averse terminations DSO can call SEVIS help desk to remove the SEVI hit (don’t email) Only for non-averse terminations (COS, Authorized early Withdrawal) Information to be included: Student’s name, DOB, SEVIS ID Airport where student entered U.S. Date student entered U.S.

26. NAFSA Resources http://nafsa.org iManual Government-NAFSA Liaison Summaries Practice Resources Regulatory Information NAFSA.news Regional Web Sites International Student Advising Network (sign up at www.nafsa.org/ISTA forums) NAFSA Knowledge Communities IssueNet: www.nafsa.org/IssueNetwww.nafsa.org/IssueNet

27. Questions