California Western -- SEVIS overview
 SEVIS Overview


What is SEVIS?
A program to collect current information, on an ongoing basis, from schools and exchange programs relating to nonimmigrant foreign students and exchange aliens during the course of their stay in the United States, using electronic reporting technology to the fullest extent practicable; an internet-based system that provides users with access to accurate and current information on nonimmigrant foreign students, exchange aliens, and their dependents. SEVIS will enable schools and exchange programs to transmit electronic information and event notifications, via the Internet, to the Service and the Department of State throughout a student’s or exchange alien’s stay in the United States.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is the overall program.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is the automated system.

Who Are F nonimmigrants?

F-1 nonimmigrants, as defined in section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, are foreign students pursuing a full course of study in a college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, private elementary school, other academic institution, or language training program in the United States that has been approved by the Service to enroll foreign students. An F-2 nonimmigrant is a foreign national who is the spouse or qualifying child (under the age of 21) of an F-1 nonimmigrant.

 
SEVIS Will Record the Following Information For Each F-1 Student
• Student Record (Name, Date of Birth, County of Birth/Citizenship, Gender, Permanent Foreign Address)
• Personal Info updates
• Financial Info updates
• Program Information updates
• Registration
• Disciplinary Action resulting from a Criminal Conviction
• Program Extension
• Authorized to drop below full time course of study
• Resumed full course of study
• OPT Employment
• Off-campus Employment
• Student Termination
• Student completion
• Add Dependent
• Update Dependent
• Terminate Dependent
• Reactivate Dependent

What you need to do

Make certain that:

  • your address in the Registrar’s Office and M.C.L./LL.M. Office remains current at all times and fill out INS Form AR-11(or AR_11SR) to report a Change of Address
  • your name on your I-20/DS-2019 matches what is on your passport/visa
  • you have an CWSL email account and access it regularly (or forward it to an active email address) to receive updates; this will be the primary medium of communication.
  • you check the BCIS and M.C.L./LL.M. Program websites REGULARLY for updates; changes happen all the time. Stay updated.
  • you check with the M.C.L./LL.M. Office before you make any changes in your program or enrollment
  • you report status of dependents to the M.C.L./LL.M. Office

SEVIS Timeline

Feb 1993 – World Trade Center bombing, student suspected.
May 1995 -- INS internal review of student procedures.
Sept. 1996 -- Public Law 104-208, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996, enacted.
June 1997 -- The Coordinated Interagency Program Regulating International Students (CIPRIS) -- the pilot program began.
Oct. 1999 -- Pilot ends. CIPRIS continues as an operational prototype operational prototype at the Atlanta Hartsfield airport and district office, Texas service center, 21 educational institutions, and DOS headquarters.
Summer/Fall 2000 -- National Student & Exchange Visitor Program developed based on lessons learned from pilot, stakeholder and customer feedback, and the requirements of IIRIRA 641.
Sept. 11, 2001 -- World Trade Center attacks, student suspected.
Oct. 2001 -- Public Law 107-56, the USA PATRIOT Act, enacted.