SEVP/SEVIS Program
The information presented below is extremely serious and should be read carefully. You are responsible for becoming knowledgeable about immigration and SEVIS policies.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced the SEVP/SEVIS program. SEVP stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Program. SEVP is a joint venture between the USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Education.

SEVP has an Internet-based system named the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which provides tracking, monitoring, and access to accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa) and exchange visitors (J visa). SEVIS became fully operational on January 28, 2003. By August 1, 2003, all F-1 and J-1 students and scholars and their dependents must have a SEVIS record and a SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019. SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit electronic information and event notifications via the Internet to the USCIS and the Department of State throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States. SEVIS allows printing of the appropriate forms and also provides reminders, alerts, and basic reporting capabilities.

All Reinstatements must be processed through SEVIS
All requests for reinstatement to status are now processed through SEVIS. However, it is extremely important that all international students maintain their student status in order to avoid the need for reinstatement. Indeed, it has become very difficult now to obtain the approval of a reinstatement, and the denial of a reinstatement request might have severe consequences for students. Students who have reinstatement requests denied will be contacted by immigration for an in-person appointment at the USCIS office. It is quite possible that the student will be told to leave the U.S. immediately. Please, note that it is NOT possible to appeal a reinstatement denial. Students should always contact the international student adviser before deciding to drop a class, or anytime there are questions about the student status.