The Catholic University of America

Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

SEVIS Fee

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.

What Must Schools/Sponsors Report?

F-1 Sponsoring Institutions

J-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 courseload
  • 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)

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 subsequest any 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)

What Information does the Government Add to a SEVIS Record?

The government also adds information or makes changes to SEVIS records that can affect the status of the individual's record:

  • Payment of SEVIS fee
  • Add information about visa issuance
  • Add information about entry into the U.S.
  • Add information about departures from the U.S.
  • Add information about applications pending with Immigration on behalf of the individual (change of status applications, applications for employment authorizations, etc.)
  • Deactivate, Cancel, Complete, or Terminate a SEVIS record:
    • if a sponsoring institution doesn't activate the SEVIS record of a new student/exchange visitor. In cases where individual has Port of Entry information in SEVIS, this individual will be designated a "no show" and the name will be forwarded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for investigation and ppossible removal.
    • if a school fails to report enrollment for a continuing student
    • if an extension is not processed in SEVIS in a timely manner
    • if the individual is granted a change of status out of F or J status

This list is not exhaustive, but gives an idea of how complex the database is.