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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 Increases Effective July 30, 2007.

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F1 Regulatory Update/ Consular Affairs Update

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  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 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

  4. 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

  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. • 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.sec/regulatory_document_library.dlib/fees_forms_and_processing/direct_filing_of_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_1169676919316.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 202-663-1225 • 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

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

  27. Questions

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