Immigration laws and regulations pertaining to foreign students and scholars are summarized as an aid to faculty members. Basic immigration documents and terminology are explained, including the passport, visa, immigration status or classification, Form 1-20 ID, the "green card", and Departure Record. Classes of nonimmigrants are described, including: J-1 exchange visitor students, M-1 vocational and technical students, and F-1 academic and language students. For the F-1 students, information is included on obtaining the visa, entering the United States, maintaining status, employment, transferring to another school, institutional record-keeping and reporting requirements, disclosure of information, and dependents. Classifications of foreign scholars are also covered, including: visitors for business and pleasure, practical trainee and F-1 postdoctoral student, exchange visitor, temporary worker of distinguished merit and ability, temporary worker, and trainee. Eligibility for immigrant and permanent resident status is discussed, along with numerical limitations and processing time. Additional topics include: school policies, immigration attorneys, U.S. income and social security taxes, and federal student financial aid. A chart provides information on types of visas. (SW)