F1 Regulatory Update/ Consular Affairs Update
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Transcript of F1 Regulatory Update/ Consular Affairs Update
F1 Regulatory Update/ Consular Affairs Update
AMIE Meeting, July 9, 2007
Cristen Casey
The University of Texas at Dallas
F-1 Regulatory Update
USCIS Fee IncreasesEffective July 30, 2007
Full text at: http://www.nafsa.org/regulatory_information.sec/regulatory_document_library.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
SEVIS 5.7 Upgrade
Full text at: 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
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
SEVIS Recertification
Nothing yet released. Keep informed with www.ice.gov/sevis or 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.
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
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
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
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.sec/regulatory_document_library.dlib/fees_forms_and_processing/direct_filing_of_forms
SSN and OPT
Can apply if OPT I20 and OPT Receipt Notice
Problems and delays, contact SSA first. If no response, email [email protected].
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.
USCIS Discontinues Local Production of Interim EADsAs 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
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)
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 travel1/1/2008 for land and sea travel
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_1169676919316.shtm
Consular Affairs Update
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
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.
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
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)
DSO Resources
Consular questions: How do I inquire about…
A specific case: [email protected] or 202-663-1225
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
Texas Service Center: How do I inquire about…
Region III Website Regulatory Updates: http://www.nafsa3.org/regupdates/regupdates.asp Inquiry ProceduresFax Inquiry FormFax #: (214) 962-1450 Email Inquiry: [email protected]
Resolving SEVI Hits for non-averse terminationsDSO 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 IDAirport where student entered U.S.Date student entered U.S.
NAFSA Resourceshttp://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/IssueNet
Questions