Sevis Information For International Students

The Office of Multicultural and International Affairs (OMIA) has prepared this handout to help you – as an international student at Sarah Lawrence College – to understand the changes in immigration regulations, brought about by the introduction of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and how these changes will affect you. It is of utmost importance that all international students in F-1 or J-1 status, and all dependent(s) in F-2 or J-2 status, maintain legal status in the U.S. While most regulations have not changed, it is imperative that all students be aware of, and comply with, these immigration regulations. Failure to follow them may jeopardize your ability to continue your studies in the U.S.

What Is Sevis?

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is an internet-based system developed by the US Department of Justice, that allows the USCIS, under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to exchange data and information with U.S. schools, on the visa status of international students. To attain this type of exchange, all I-20 forms to F-1 students are to have been issued, under SEVIS, as of February 15, 2003. By August 1, 2003, all continuing Sarah Lawrence international students in F-1 status had to be entered into SEVIS. Accurate and current information is transmitted electronically, throughout an F-1 student's academic career in the United States. U.S. embassies, consulates, and ports of entry around the world will also have access to SEVIS.

How Does Sevis Work?

When an international student is admitted, Sarah Lawrence will notify SEVIS, and the USCIS will approve the College’s request to issue an I-20 to that student. Sarah Lawrence sends the new bar-coded I-20 form to the student. The student then visits the U.S. consulate abroad, and the consulate confirms, through SEVIS, that the I-20, presented to it by the student, is a valid document. If everything is in order, including all other substantiating documents (statement of financial assets, bank letters, etc), the consulate will issue the visa requested.

A USCIS officer at the airport reports to SEVIS the individual's entry into the U.S. When the student arrives on campus, s/he reports to OMIA, and the school confirms the student' enrollment through SEVIS.

Finally, SEVIS also records the student's departure from the United States, upon completion of studies or completion of (OPT) Optional Practical Training.

Note: Scholars invited to join the College, in similar manner, will have to follow procedures set up by their sponsoring agencies. The J-1 process is under the umbrella of the State Department.

Is Sevis New?

Yes. And no. The requirement that schools provide the federal government with information about each student's status is not new. Most of the information to be reported to SEVIS has been required by USCIS (formerly INS) for many years. But the paper-based system precluded formalized coordination among schools and governmental agencies. In 1996, Congress passed legislation directing USCIS to move to an electronic data collection system. This program is known as SEVIS - the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Technological challenges, and lack of federal funding, delayed the program for several years. However, in October 2001, Congress passed the USA Patriot Act, which authorized additional SEVIS funding, and required nationwide compliance by January 30, 2003. (Colleges and universities admitting students from abroad must first apply to SEVIS through USCIS for permission to: (1) continue to accept international students; and (2) access an electronic module.)

What Information Does Sevis Record?

Sarah Lawrence must report to SEVIS:

• All information currently appearing on your I-20 form -- name, date and country of birth, country of citizenship, and information about your academic program (major field of study and/or area of concentration, degree sought, start and end dates, funding information, etc.)
• Your permanent address abroad and your local address once you arrive in the U.S.
• Any change of your legal name or address, and that of your dependent(s).
• Whether you have enrolled at the school every semester, or have failed to enroll at any time.
• Whether you will graduate prior to, or later than, the end date listed on the I-20.
• Work authorizations for any off-campus employment while at the College.
• Whether you drop below a full course of study at any time, without prior authorization from the DSO (Immigration regulations now refer to international student advisers as "designated school officials"). Please note that dropping below a full course of study, without prior authorization, could have significant repercussions if you plan to apply for future benefits, such as work authorization, OPT, green card, etc.
• Transfer to a new school.
• Termination date of academic program, and reason for it.
• Any student who fails to maintain legal status, or to complete her/his program.
• Any academic or disciplinary action(s) taken due to criminal conviction(s).
• Other data generated by standard procedures, such as program extensions, school transfers, changes in level of study, employment authorizations, and reinstatement.

Will My Dependent Family Member(S) Be Included In Sevis?

If you have any dependent(s) either applying for an F-2 visa, or already in the United States in F-2, they will have a SEVIS record connected to yours. Their record(s) will contain their name(s), date(s) of birth, city and country of birth, country of citizenship, gender(s) and relationship(s) to you.

What Does "Failure To Maintain Legal Status" Mean?

Some examples of failure to maintain legal status include reduction from full to part-time enrollment, without prior approval from the DSO, attending a school other than the one a student is authorized to attend, failure to apply for a timely transfer or an I-20 extension, or a change in level of study, unauthorized employment, and failure to report a change of address.

What Are The Consequences If A Student Fails To Maintain Status?

The student's record will be updated in SEVIS every semester. Information updates will also be maintained if a student changes status, name or address. Students who fail to maintain legal status lose privileges under their student visa and become subject to possible deportation. Specific consequences may include denial of re-entry to the U.S., inability to move from undergraduate to graduate status, denial of requests for Optional Practical Training, denial of requests to change visa status, and possible denial of all future visa applications.

Can A Student Who Is "Out Of Status" Regain Legal Status?

If a student falls below a full course of study, without prior approval from the DSO, that "event" would be reported to USCIS, via SEVIS, and s/he would be considered out of legal status. The student may apply to USCIS for reinstatement if the violation resulted from circumstances beyond her/his control. Reinstatement is intended to be a rare benefit for exceptional cases. The student may not apply for reinstatement under any circumstances if s/he is out of status longer than five months. If USCIS decides not to reinstate the student, s/he may not appeal that decision.

How Do I Make Certain My Personal Data Is Correct?

You must make certain that your name, and other personal information in Sarah Lawrence’s general student information system, is correct. Your name must be the same as the name recorded on your passport. If your name is not spelled correctly, please go to the Registrar’s Office to update your information. You will need to provide identification (your passport) with the proper spelling or changes, to make the desired change. You must notify OMIA of any change in your country of birth, country of citizenship, or immigration status. OMIA will update this information. Your personal information in the college system can be verified by visiting My SLC.

Address: Make certain that your current and permanent addresses are both correctly recorded. Sarah Lawrence College students living on campus need only check your permanent address, which must be your foreign permanent address. Students living off campus should make certain your current off-campus address is reflected. All other students must verify both your mailing address and your permanent address. Your permanent address must be your foreign permanent address; you can use the address of your parent(s) or family. Your mailing address must be your current physical residence in the U.S. In both cases, you cannot use a P.O. Box or an academic departmental address.

We realize that changing these addresses may lead to certain Sarah Lawrence mailings being sent to your home address rather than to your departmental address (Graduate Studies, for example). We apologize if this should create any inconvenience for you, but we must adhere to this federal requirement.

Will Sevis Benefit Students In Any Way?

Data moves faster through an electronic system than through a paper one. USCIS forms may now be produced faster this way, and applications for benefits such as Practical Training may be approved more quickly under this system. Visas may be granted without the usual long delays. However, the additional security and background checks in place at many consulates overseas may delay some visa applications for up to 2-3 months.

Does Sevis Have Any Implications For Travel Outside The U.S.?

SEVIS has implications for both the travel of new and continuing international students entering, or returning to, the United States from abroad.

What Do I Do If I Need A New U.S. Visa?

You must have a SEVIS-issued I-20. This applies to new and continuing students or scholars, and their F-2 dependent(s). As of February 15, 2003, only SEVIS-issued, bar-coded I-20 forms will be accepted with an application for a U.S. F-1 visa. (A SEVIS I-20 has a barcode on the upper right hand side.) F-2 dependents will be issued SEVIS form(s). Each dependent will have a form. We request that you allow a minimum of one week prior to your intended travel date to get an updated SEVIS form.

What Happens If Sarah Lawrence Fails To Comply With The Sevis Regulations?

USCIS may decide to visit now that the College’s SEVIS application has been filed and approved (Sarah Lawrence has complied with all SEVIS filing mandates, and we have been granted SEVIS status). USCIS may decide to audit Sarah Lawrence's compliance with these new requirements every two years. Failure to comply with the appropriate federal regulations could result in loss of the College's ability to accept, and admit, international students, and to invite international scholars to the campus community.

What Should Students Do To Prepare For Sevis?

• Understand the immigration regulations, and learn how to maintain lawful status in the U.S. Refer any questions or problems immediately to the OMIA. Do not rely on the advice of your well-meaning friends.
• Be proactive. Students should plan their course schedules carefully, so that they are sure to maintain full-time enrollment. Make travel arrangements early, and anticipate delays at consulates and border crossings. Keep all documents up-to-date – changes in degree level, extensions, and travel validations must be done in a timely manner and on SEVIS documents. Allow time for processing new forms.
• Feel free to email me at the OMIA, or to call and set up an appointment.

Who Has Access To Sevis At Sarah Lawrence?

The offices at Sarah Lawrence that have access to SEVIS are the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs (OMIA), the Registrar (Daniel Licht), Admissions (Shirley Be), and Graduate Studies (Alba Coronel), International Programs (Prema Samuel). Access to the site is protected by password. (See contact information.)

How Will Sarah Lawrence Help Students Comply With The Immigration Laws?

Sarah Lawrence College is committed to assisting students in ways that prevent legal status violations from occurring:

• OMIA will arrange mandatory Orientation programs each Fall for all newly enrolled international students. The new rules and regulations will be discussed and elucidated at these sessions.
• Informational sessions will be offered, throughout the year, for students and scholars who are already on campus.