Changes Proposed for US Student Visa Program

Proposed changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program have been announced on 2 December, providing a more flexible approach for management of overseas students as well as more opportunities for their spouses and children to study in the US. As stated in the announcement, the changes would eliminate the limit of 10 designated school officials to nominate for oversight of campuses for a more flexible approach. This means school officials would be provided with more flexibility in making decisions on the number of designated school officials (DSOs). The DSOs are dedicated resources at schools certified for Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). They help nonimmigrant students under F-1 and M-1 student visa maintain their status, fill out important government forms and obtain benefits while in the US. The proposed changes in the notice of proposed rulemaking also include allowing dependents and spouses of overseas students holding F-1 or M-1 visas to study at a SEVP-certified school as long as it is less than full-time. "These proposed changes will provide greater incentives for international students to study in the United States by broadening study opportunities for their spouses and children," said SEVP Director Louis Farrell. According to the announcement, the changes, proposed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on recommendations boosted by the Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council, build on a series of reforms designed to the commitment to attracting international students while maintaining national security standards. The proposed rule has been submitted for publication to the Federal Register and is open for public comment until 21 January 2014. 03 December 2013 http://www.migrationexpert.com/visa/us_immigration_news/2013/Dec/0/736/changes_proposed_for_us_student_visa_program