Office of International Services, Indiana University Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) An Overview for the President’s Council on International Programs Christopher J. Viers Associate Dean of International Programs and Director of International Services, Indiana University December 13, 2002

Office of International Services, Indiana University What is SEVIS “SEVIS is an internet-based system that provides users with access to accurate and current information on nonimmigrant foreign students, exchange aliens, and their dependents.” INS Proposed Rule regarding Retention and Reporting of Information for F, J, and M Nonimmigrants, 8 CFR Parts 103 and 214 When fully operational, SEVIS will link colleges and universities authorized to admit and enroll foreign students, US embassies and consulates, US ports of entry, Department of State, and exchange visitor programs.

Office of International Services, Indiana University Background Legislation Section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) directed the Attorney General to develop a system to electronically monitor and report information pertaining to nonimmigrant students and scholars. USA Patriot Act mandated full participation and compliance in SEVIS by January 30, Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act established interim reporting requirements until SEVIS is fully operational. September 11, 2002, Interim Student and Exchange Authentication System (ISEAS) reporting requirement began which requires electronic evidence of visa document authenticity for visa to be issued. This system is completely independent of SEVIS, and will discontinue once SEVIS is fully operational.

Office of International Services, Indiana University SEVIS Enrollment Schedule Preliminary enrollment began July 1 and ended September 24, September 25, schools permitted to begin applying for site visit, certification, and enrollment during Interim Certification Phase. Fee of $580 for single campus ($230 for I-17 adjudication; $350 for site visit). IU applied November 12, December 2, 2002—IUB Site Visit Occurred. Requested “go live” date of January 21, As of January 31, 2003, all new students, and all students who need a new immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019) must receive a SEVIS version of the document. All students must be in SEVIS no later than August 1, From this point, only SEVIS processing, students, and schools exist. SEVIS fee paid by students, expected to be $54, possibly as early as Spring 2003.

Office of International Services, Indiana University Processing Options Real-Time Interactive (RTI)—currently available for data transmission and I-20 production. No way to upload data from existing systems. Batch—now in testing phase. Vendors scrambling to write programs to facilitate transactions. “Final” Interface Control Document issued in late November. RTI and Batch are not mutually exclusive options, and until Batch mode is fully functional, schools will need to use RTI for certain events, including adjudicated updates, transfers, activity site updates for exchange visitors, and curricular practical training updates.

Office of International Services, Indiana University SEVIS Transactions Create a New Record Update an Existing Record Request production of an I-20 or DS-2019 Periodic Reporting within 30 days following the close of registration for that term or session Action Oriented Event Notification within 21 days of the event (e.g., major changes, program extension, employment authorization)

Office of International Services, Indiana University New Reporting Items Include: Failure to enroll Dropping below a full course of study without prior DSO authorization Any other failure to maintain status (unauthorized employment, for example) or complete program Change in legal name or address Disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the student being convicted of a crime Student’s graduation prior to the expected program end date Start date of student’s next session

Office of International Services, Indiana University Technological Issues & Concerns Requires a major change in current processes, organizational relationships, and data interfaces on campus. Need to combine and integrate data from multiple systems. Need to establish proactive systems to prevent an individual from losing status for a “technical” violation.

Office of International Services, Indiana University Regulatory Issues & Concerns Final SEVIS student regulations published December 11 th ; SEVIS scholar regulations published December 12th. Coupling of new regulatory requirements for students in SEVIS regulations, which have no bearing on reporting and monitoring requirements. For example: Zero tolerance for lapses in status with little to no opportunity to reinstate students. Reinstatement possible only for illness, injury, closure of the institution, natural disaster, or circumstances beyond student’s control. Student can be authorized for less than a full course of study for one semester only, unless serious illness or medical condition.

Office of International Services, Indiana University Implementation Issues & Concerns Once certified, must be fully compliant. Status problems caused by SEVIS technological or computer problems must be resolved by DSO through SEVIS Systems Administrator. What to do with status violators?

Office of International Services, Indiana University Possible Ramifications Potential long-term decline in numbers of international students and scholars in the United States. Adverse psycho-social effects on international students and scholars currently on our campus. Potentially significant ramifications to the profession of foreign student and scholar advising due to new roles and responsibilities of international student and scholar offices and DSOs and ROs.

Office of International Services, Indiana University What We’re Doing Established a SEVIS Implementation Team to oversee and coordinate planning, implementation, and communication. Letter and sent to all international students and visiting scholars informing them of pending regulatory changes, and our mode of communication. We will: 1.Send important announcements and updates to IU accounts. 2.Conduct a series of information sessions now that final regulations are available. 3.Maintain up-to-date information concerning the new regulations on our website :

Office of International Services, Indiana University Important Reminder International students should meet with an advisor in International Services prior to dropping below a full course of study (12 credit hours for undergraduate students; 8 credit hours for graduate; 6 for graduate with assistantships) or complete withdraw. Failure to obtain prior approval from a DSO may result in the loss of legal status with no recourse to regain it within the US. International Services cannot guarantee student requests. They must fit within INS regulatory guidelines which are very narrow. International Services will not prevent a student from dropping below a full course of study—our goal is to ensure students know the legal consequences for doing so.

Office of International Services, Indiana University SEVIS Presentations To schedule a SEVIS presentation, please contact: Lynn Schoch Associate Director, International Services

Office of International Services, Indiana University Questions & Discussion