The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a government database that is used:

  • by U.S. schools, academic institutions and organizations to manage administrative tasks associated with their ability to sponsor individuals as international students and/or exchange visitors to engage in a specific program of study or academic/cultural exchange. These tasks include, among other things, issuance of forms, reporting student/exchange visitor participation in the program, issuing extensions, etc.
  • by the U.S. government to monitor the status of students and exchange visitors as they engage in their academic/cultural exchange program. The government uses the information in SEVIS to determine whether or not an F-1 or J-1 status holder is actively engaged in their program, if they are eligible for any immigration-related benefits for which they may apply, and whether or not the individual should be in the country.

Since SEVIS is a database, the accuracy of the information in the student's database record is critical, especially in light of how the government uses the system.

Information Schools/Sponsors Report About the International Student

  • F-1 Sponsoring Institutions

    At time Form I-20 is Issued:

    • Name
    • Date of Birth
    • City and Country of Birth
    • Country of Citizenship
    • Country of Legal Residence
    • Course of study
      • level of study (degree)
      • major and minors
    • Dates of academic program (beginning date of study and estimated completion date)
    • Foreign address outside of the U.S.
    • Source of financial support

    After arrival in U.S.:

    • Current U.S. home address and any subsequent changes
    • Enrollment status (reported each term)
    • Employment authorizations/recommendations
      • practical training
      • economic hardship
      • international organization
    • Approvals for reduced course load
    • Extensions of Form I-20
    • Disciplinary actions taken as result of conviction of crime
    • Withdrawal or termination of studies
    • Transfer of sponsorship to another institution
    • Termination of sponsorship for non-maintenance of program (such as being out of U.S. for more than 5 months, known unauthorized employment)

  • J-1 Sponsoring Institutions

    At time Form DS-2019 is Issued:

    • Name
    • Date of Birth
    • City and Country of Birth
    • Country of Citizenship
    • Country of Legal Residence
    • Occupation in Home country
    • Description of academic/cultural exchange program in U.S.
    • dates of program (beginning date of study and estimated completion date)
    • location(s) of program
    • Foreign address outside of the U.S.
    • Source of financial support

    After arrival in the U.S.:

    • Current U.S. home address and any subsequent changes
    • Employment authorizations/ recommendations
      • academic training (J-1 students)
      • short-term consultation/lecture (J professor/researcher)
    • Extensions of Form DS-2019
    • Early completion of program
    • Transfer of sponsorship to another institution
    • Transfer of sponsorship to another institution
    • Termination of sponsorship for non0-maintenance of program status (such as being out of U.S. for an extended period of time, known unauthorized employment and failure to maintain medical insurance)