1. Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) & New Regulations
Dr. Claudia R. Wright, PDSO, SRSU RGC
Director of Admissions/Records &
Student Services
SACRAO-February, 2017

2. Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Information Collection and Reporting via the internet for HSCBP (INS) and the DSO
Create I-20
Re-Certification
Re-Adjudication

3. SEVIS – BRIEF HISTORY! January 1, 2003 – New F-1 Rules began
February 15, Mandatory compliance date to begin issuing New Students Form 1-20’s
All students were entered by mandatory deadline – 08/01/2003
Once entered into SEVIS continue reporting student’s status

4. DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIALS-PDSO-DSO,
10 DSO’s – One is designated as PDSO (Principle DSO I-17 updates)
DSO may submit & register
RO or ARO- yearly verification
I-17A to Add, Change, or Edit DSO
-Signature of President/Owner/Head

5. SEVIS – NEW REGULATIONS
SEVIS ID Number will be assigned
Distance Education Courses – 3 hrs. of On-Line or Distance Learning can count toward full-time enrollment
Concurrent Enrollment – Host School must report

6. SEVIS – FULL COURSE OF STUDY
DSO authorization to drop below based on academic reasons (initial semester issues, English, etc.) Limited to One Semester and student must be registered in 6 hrs.
Less than full course or withdrawals due to medical limited to One Year, renew each term, documents must include a Licensed Professional Recommendation
SEVIS requires confirmation of full-time status the Next Semester

7. SEVIS-REGISTRATION Activities on Initial Student’s Record
Change student’s record to active status
Continue to update registration of each student every semester
Requires end date of current semester & begin date of next semester
Next session start date not greater than program end date

8. SEVIS – CANCEL STUDENT To be Used When:
Initial Attendance & not registered at your school
Error made in issuance of Program Start & End Date
60 Days – initial attendance – no activity SEVIS will automatically cancel record

9. SEVIS – TERMINATE STUDENT
May be used in Initial or Active Status
DSO knows when student has violated status
New student entered the U.S. but did not enroll
See Drop-List
May transfer Terminated Record to another school

10. SEVIS – DEFER ATTENDANCE
DSO may Defer Attendance for a student in Initial Status and has not entered the U.S.
Update program start date & program end date
AM& update on leave of absence outside U.S.

11. SEVIS – COMPLETE PROGRAM
Only use the option if the student has graduated or completed his/her course of study and has departed the U.S. or plans to depart soon.
Status changes to complete.
No further action can be taken
No activity at End Date of Program or it will change to complete in 60 days.

12. SEVIS-EXTEND OR SHORTEN PROGRAM
DSO can extend the Program End Date to reflect additional time based on medical or academic circumstances.
DSO can Shorten Program to reflect an earlier program End Date in Active Status.
Program Start Date can not be updated.

13. SEVIS-SCHOOL TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY
5 Month Limit – student must begin classes within 5 months of transferring out of Current School or program completion whichever comes earlier.
May Transfer New Initial Record
-Student accepted by another certified school
-Program Start Date w/in 30 days of Initial Adm

14. SEVIS – SCHOOL TRANSFER
Student must notify Current School of intent to transfer
Current School-complete “Transfer Out” section
New School – issues new form I-20 after Release Date
Student arrives at New School within 15 days of Start Date
DSO reports within 30 days

15. SEVIS-SCHOOL TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY
If Not:
Must study at Original School
Regular Transfer
Withdraw and Terminate
Authorized Early Withdrawal
Leave within 15 days
Reenter I-20

16. SEVIS-CHANGE IN EDUCATIONAL LEVELS
Process is similar to transfer
Transfer Out – click on your school
Go To Student Lists – transfer in
Locate student’s deactivated file
Click on Transfer In – in remarks change from BS to MS
Go to Registration – complete screen
Print form 1-20 after each process

17. SEVIS - REINSTATEMENT
Must apply within 5 months of being out of status
Reinstatement will be more difficult, can be based on:
Situations beyond the student’s control: serious Medical Condition, Natural Disaster
Oversight, failure on the part of the DSO

18. SEVIS-ALTERNATIVE TO REINSTATEMENT
CBP recognizes travel & Re-entry in a New F-1 Status for those not Eligible for Transfer
Cancel Reinstatement if application is pending prior to issuing 1-20

19. SEVIS – GRACE PERIOD FOR DEGREE & ADDRESS CHANGE
Address Change within 10 days
Physical location of student & Dependents
DSO must report change within 21 days
Institution must establish a reasonable time needed to complete degree; No Grace Period for Completion Date
No Time Limit on extensions – 30 day restriction removed

20. SEVIS – ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
Initial Entry students may begin employment no earlier than 30 days to start of classes (includes initial entry-begin a New Program)
Transfer Students – employment only at school responsible for SEVIS records. (Transfer Release Date – transfer in date)

21. SEVIS-SEVERE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP EMPLOYMENT
DSO must complete certification in SEVIS
F-1 status for one academic year
Submit to service center original form I-20 includes employment page with DSO’s comments
Process as usual

22. SEVIS – ADMISSION & DEPARTURE 30 OR 60 DAYS
Student will be limited to 30 days advance admission to the U.S.
60 day grace period at the completion of studies
15 day grace period if Terminate Program with DSO authorization.
No grace period if Terminates Program without DSO authorization-must leave immediately

23. 21 Days – students who failed to Maintain Status/or Complete Program
SEVIS REPORTING
21 Days – students who failed to Maintain Status/or Complete Program
Change of name or US address
Graduate prior to Program End Date
Disciplinary Action as a result of being convicted of a crime
Any other request for info made by SEVIS

24. SEVIS REPORTING
30 Days – deadline for reporting all students registration in classes
Enrolled, Dropped below without DSO permission, or failed to enroll
Current address of each student
Start Date of student’s Next Semester/Term/Session/Quarter

25. PORT OF ENTRY – FORM I-20
Why was my I-20 taken by the CBP (Immigration) Officer?
When will my I-20 be returned?
It has been 10 days & no I-20!
DSO – what am I to do?
DSO – this student has his/her I-20. What should I do ?

26. HELPFUL WEB SITES SEVIS – www.ins.gov
INS Forms – (New Fees)
Special Registration (NSEER) –
NAFSA:AIE –

27. SEVIS - PRACTICAL TRAINING
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Shared aspects of CPT & OPT
- Not available to English Language Training Institutions
- Must have been enrolled for One Full Academic Year (In Status)
- Can be for Part-time or Full-time Employment

28. SEVIS-CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)
Alternate Work/Study, Internship, Cooperative Education, or any type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school
No specified limits on number of times or length
Part Time CPT does not count towards 12 month Full- time limit of Full-time CPT, which eliminates eligibility for OPT
Employment must be integral part of established curriculum
DSO must authorize in SEVIS

29. SEVIS-OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
Temporary Employment for Practical Training directly related to the student’s major area of study
12 month limit per educational level
Employment must be commensurate with the student’s educational level
Before completion of course of study
- Restricted to 20 hours per week
- Full-time during academic breaks
Post course of study OPT
- Must apply before 60 days after Program Completion Date of course of study
- Can only be for Full-time Employment

30. SEVIS (OPT)
Border Commuter Students (F-3) are eligible ONLY for OPT following completion of studies
DSO recommends approval
No application grace period
USCIS Issues I-765 EAD
OPT automatically terminates upon Transfer

31. SEVIS-SOCIAL SECURITY AMINISTRATION (SSA)
Evidence of Employment or offer of employment required for assignment of Social Security Numbers to foreign academic students in F-1 Status
Reduced proliferation of SSN’s used for purposes that are not related to work and thereby decreased potential for SSN fraud/misuse
Affects all F-1 students seeking Social Security Cards for Employment

32. SEVIS - SSA Required Documentation - Evidence of Age
- Evidence of Identity
- Immigration Status
- Employment Authorization
Documents (EAD)

33. SEVIS – SSA – EAD EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT
OPT requires I-765 Form issued by USCIS
On-campus and CPT requirements
- PDSO/DSO authorization memo and,
- Proof of Secured Employment OR
- Written Promise of Employment
Authorization memo states
- Student in status and authorized employment
- Nature of employment
- Identification of Employer

34. SEVIS - DEPENDENTS
Full-time F-1 students residing in U.S. authorized dependents (Issued I- 20 for F-2 Visas)
Not available to border commuter students
F-2 students may study part-time (avocational or recreational)
F-2 status terminates upon termination of principal F-1 alien status

35. Questions
Thank you!
Gracias!