What's New

SEVIS Upload Functionality

On Jan. 8, 2018, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) enabled functionality that allows school officials to upload evidence directly into the system. School officials must use the upload functionality to send the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) supporting evidence for:

• Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” initial, update and recertification requests.
• Correction requests sent to the SEVP Response Center.

After March 8, 2018 SEVP will no longer accept evidence submitted via email.

SEVP updated ICE.gov, Study in the States and SEVIS Help Hub content to reflect the new process.  School officials can find step-by-step instructions for uploading evidence for the Form I-17 and for correction requests on the SEVIS Help Hub. For more information about this process change, please watch the SEVIS Upload Evidence Webinar on Study in the States.

SEVIS 6.35 Release

With the SEVIS 6.35 Release, schools may now submit non-substantial Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” edits while filing for recertification. Substantial updates such as a change of ownership or a change of location should still be submitted for adjudication prior to filing for recertification.

For example, a school may submit the recertification petition with a request to add a program of study to the Form I-17. In this circumstance, SEVP will adjudicate both the school’s eligibility for recertification and approval for the new program of study at the same time. However, the school would not be allowed to enroll new students into the requested program of study until adjudication is complete and an approval is granted for the new program.

Visit the Recertification tab and Petition Updates tab for more information on the recertification and Form I-17 updates process.

Important Message for ACICS-Accredited Schools

On April 3, 2018, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) temporarily reinstated recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as it conducts a further review of the accrediting body and its continued eligibility for ED recognition. A decision from ED is expected on or before July 30, 2018. Visit the ACICS Loss of Accreditation Recognition page for further information.

School Alerts

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation. Upon this review, SEVP can exercise its authority to withdraw schools and/or terminate certain initial and active student records for noncompliance with SEVP regulations. Visit the School Alerts page for a list of schools that have been withdrawn and instructions students should follow.

Additional SEVP News and Resources

• SEVP Spotlight – March 2018 – Volume 8, Issue 1: Read the latest SEVP Spotlight on Study in the States. (posted: Mar. 2018)
• Guide to Studying in the States: The Guide to Studying in the States allows users to create a customized guide with information on the international student life cycle, specific to their visa type (F-1 or M-1) and education level (kindergarten through grade 12, post-secondary or English Language Training). Each guide contains information about preparing to enter the United States, traveling, studying, student benefits, change of status and departing the United States. Users can access the Guide to Studying in the States on the Students page and Tools page.
• Frequently Asked Questions: Study in the States launched the Frequently Asked Questions page. Users can view frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the international student life cycle and the SEVP-certification process. Questions are organized into categories, and users can navigate to a list of questions in a particular FAQ category by selecting one of the category anchor links at the top of the page. To view the list of FAQs, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page. (posted: Dec. 2017)
• New Study in the States Widget – Study in the States launched a new widget with content focused on current and prospective international students. The widget features resources designed to help international students learn about and comply with the international student process. The widget can be found on the Study in the States Widgets page. (posted: Sep. 2017)
• Read the latest SEVIS by the Numbers report. (Jun. 2017 edition)
• Stakeholder Webinars Page – Study in the States launched a redesigned Stakeholder Webinars page to include SEVP, SEVIS and partner agency-hosted webinars. You can filter webinars by event type (i.e. SEVP, SEVIS or partner), category/topic and date. Users can access the Stakeholder Webinars page through the Study in the States Schools page. (posted: May 2017)
• ICE Sensitive Locations Policy - As a reminder to our stakeholders, ICE has a policy in place that advises against enforcement actions at schools or churches. With that said, SEVP personnel often visit SEVP-certified schools or those seeking SEVP certification. Many of these visits are required in order to maintain a school’s SEVP certification. Learn more about ICE’s sensitive locations policy. (posted: Mar. 2017)
• School Appeal Status Tracker: Study in the States launched the SEVP School Appeal Status Tracker. This online tool allows SEVP-certified schools, in the appeals process, to proactively and securely check the status of their case on Study in the States. To learn more about the Appeals Process, visit the How to File an Appeal or Motion page and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Appeals and Motions on ICE.gov. (posted: Feb. 2017)
• Special Student Relief for F-1 Students from Nepal - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension of employment authorization for certain Nepali F-1 international students who are facing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the April 25, 2015, earthquake in Nepal. Visit Study in the States to learn more about the extension of employment authorization for Nepali F-1 students or read the full notice on the Federal Register. (posted: Jan. 2017)
• Form I-17 Filing Evidence - SEVP instituted a requirement for schools to submit minimal evidence upon filing a Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” and any updates to the Form I-17 Petition. Please visit the Schools section of ICE.gov/SEVP for more information.
• SEVP is sending “Intent to Terminate” notices to nonimmigrant students (F-1/M-1), exchange visitors (J-1) and dependents (F-2/M-2/J-2) who have failed to comply with the Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” directive by the specified deadline. Recipients of the “Intent to Terminate” notices have 14 days, as of the date the notice is sent, to respond to the Form I-515A. Failure to comply will result in the termination of their SEVIS record. For more information, download the Form I-515A Noncompliance Termination Procedure and visit Study in the States.
• A new Trends and Improvements section on Study in the States has been launched to make it easier for SEVP stakeholders to track and monitor the government’s progress on feedback received from the academic community. Users can access the new section through the Conferences page of the Study in the States website. If stakeholders have issues they would like to include in the Trends and Improvements section, please email SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 24-month optional practical training (OPT) extension for F-1 students with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees went into effect May 10, 2016. The new regulations also enhance federal oversight of STEM OPT. This rule replaced the previous 17-month STEM OPT extension. For more information on the new rule, visit the STEM OPT Hub on Study in the States.
• The Student and Exchange Visitor Program Response Center and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Help Desk have merged to enhance customer service.
• School Search Tool: Visit the Study in the States School Search Tool to find the most up-to-date list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools and programs eligible to enroll F-1 and M-1 students in the United States.