Information on SEVIS
(Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)
SEVIS stands for the
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. SEVIS is an
internet-based system allowing schools to exchange information on the
visa status of international students with the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. embassies and consulates around
the world. Schools and government agencies electronically transmit
information about students in F-1 or J-1 visa status throughout the
student's academic career in the United States.
Schools and
universities in the United States have provided the federal government
with information about foreign students for many years. The previous
paper-based system prevented effective coordination between schools and
government agencies. In 1996, Congress required the Immigration Service
to create an electronic data collection system for foreign students.
Technical challenges and lack of funding delayed the program for several
years. Shortly after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001,
Congress passed the USA Patriot Act that authorized additional funding
for the SEVIS electronic tracking system. Congress required nationwide
compliance with SEVIS by January 30, 2003.
After a foreign
student is admitted, the school notifies SEVIS and the USCIS approves
the school’s request to issue a Form I-20 for F-1 students, and a Form
DS-2019 for J-1 students. The school issues a bar-coded I-20 form to
the student.
When the student
applies for a visa at the U.S. consulate abroad, the consulate accesses
SEVIS to confirm that the student is carrying a valid Form I-20. If the
student meets the requirements, the consulate issues the visa.
When the student
enters the United States, an immigration officer at the port of entry
reports the admission to SEVIS. The student reports to the Designated
School Official at the school, and the school confirms the student's
enrollment through SEVIS. The school provides regular electronic reports
to SEVIS throughout the student's academic career. When the student
leaves the United States, SEVIS records the departure.
Schools and
universities must report the following information to SEVIS:
- Whether the student has enrolled at the school, or failed to
enroll;
- A change of a student or family members’ legal name or address;
- Any student who graduates prior to the end date listed on the
I-20;
- Academic or disciplinary actions taken due to criminal conviction;
- Whether the student drops below a full course of study without
prior authorization from the school’s Designated School Official
(DSO);
- Termination date and reason for termination;
- Other data generated by standard procedures such as program
extensions, school transfers, changes in level of study, employment
authorizations, and reinstatement; and,
- Any student who fails to maintain status or complete the student’s
academic program.
It is very important
that students continue to maintain status while on a student visa. A
student may fail maintain status by dropping from full-time to part-time
enrollment without prior approval from the DSO, attending a school other
than the one authorized, failing to apply for a transfer or extension,
working without authorization, and failing to report a change of
address. Students who fail to maintain status lose the privileges of
their student visa and may be deported. Students may be denied reentry
to the United States or requests to change status, prevented from
pursuing a graduate program, refused Practical Training, and may be
denied future visa applications.
If a student falls out
of status, the student may apply to the USCIS for reinstatement if the
violation resulted from exceptional circumstances beyond the student’s
control. There is no appeal if the USCIS does not reinstate the student.