Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)

Historical Perspective

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is the reengineered nonimmigrant student and exchange visitor (F, M, & J visa categories) process. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) converted what was a manual procedure into an automated process. This change improves data collection and reporting, enhances customer service, facilitates compliance with regulations and helps Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) better monitor school and exchange programs.

This program was formerly referred to as the Coordinated Interagency Partnership Regulating International Students (CIPRIS). SEVIS was developed by the former INS in partnership with the Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (formerly the United States Information Agency), the Department of Education and members of the educational and exchange program communities. Information obtained from this pilot system was incorporated into the national system development effort that resulted in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).