SEVIS Overview

For U.S. Faculty MembersJeff Stanton, Syracuse University

From ICE:

“The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS; sea-viss) is the web-based system that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools and the F and M students who come to the United States to attend those schools.”

Visa Types – Used with SEVIS

• F-1 visa for students attending academic programs (including language study) – must receive I-20 from school after receiving admission and show financial capability; must be for full time study; no compensated employment except on-campus <= 20 hours/week

• M-1 visa for students pursuing technical training – visa always has an end date

• J-1 visa for students attending cultural exchange programs in the U.S.

SEVP runs SEVIS• Information shared with a variety of government agencies• 10,000 certified schools that can enroll international students• Every school has a designated official who is cognizant of all

processes relevant to SEVIS; a DSO is a designated school official; a P/DSO is a principal designated school official (both must be citizens or permanent residents)

• SEVIS compliance is monitored and recertified every two years• Schools issue an I-20 to students who will attend under an F-1 visa;

schools also manage dependents (who will receive F-2 and F-3 visas)• SEVP has a response center that answers questions from schools

and students• Primary info resource: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov

The I-20• A three page document generated from a SEVIS record; contains a

unique student ID number which follows the student across institutions

• I-20 is used as proof at consular offices to show admission to academic program and eligibility to enter the U.S. as a student; I-20 is part of the basis of issuance of an F-1 visa

• The cognizant official at each university (DSO) is authorized to provide I-20s

• The I-20 cannot be revoked but it is only valid until the program end date that is listed on the first page

• A DSO may defer the attendance of an “Initial” status student: This changes the program start date; only applies to students who have not yet entered the U.S.

Student Registration

• SEVIS is used to transition a student’s status from “Initial” to “Active” when they physically appear to register for and attend classes

• SEVIS records are updated each new term to ensure that students remain on “Active” status

• SEVIS will cancel the record if the student has not entered the United States or terminate the record if the student has entered the United States if no registration event occurs once the program start date has passed.