SEVIS Information

What should CSB/SJU international students should know about the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System?

The news media has reported extensively on how the U.S. government is seeking more efficient ways of managing information on international students in the United States. We have prepared this handout to help you understand the kinds of information that the College of Saint Benedict and St. John’s University, and all colleges and universities in the U.S., must maintain on international students and how this information is shared with the government in a manner prescribed by law. We hope you find this explanation helpful.

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is an internet-based system that allows schools and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to exchange data on the visa status of international students. Accurate and current information is transmitted electronically throughout an F-1 or J-1 student's academic career in the United States. U.S. embassies and consulates also have access to SEVIS. At CSB/SJU we only have F-1 students.

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 that will be reported to SEVIS has been required by the INS for many years. In 1996, Congress passed legislation directing INS to begin an electronic data collection system. This program is now known as SEVIS-the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. In October 2001, Congress passed the USA Patriot Act authorizing additional SEVIS funding and requiring nationwide compliance by January 30, 2003.

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How does SEVIS work?

After the College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University admits an international student, SEVIS is notified. The USCIS approves the University's request to issue an I-20. The University mails the new bar-coded I-20 form to the student.

The student visits the U.S. consulate abroad, and the consulate issues a visa after they confirm through SEVIS that the I-20 the student is carrying is a valid document. The student's entry into the U.S. is reported in SEVIS at the airport when the student arrives in the U.S.

When the student arrives on campus, he/she will report to the International Student Program Office (ISPO), and the school confirms through SEVIS the student's enrollment. CSB|SJU continues to provide regular electronic reports to INS throughout the student's academic career.

Finally, SEVIS records the student's departure from the United States.

What data does SEVIS collect?

CSB|SJU must report:

Whether the student has enrolled at the school, or failed to enroll.
A change of the student or dependent's legal name or address.
Any student who graduates prior to the end date listed on the I-20.
Academic or disciplinary actions taken due to criminal conviction.
Whether the student drops below a full course of study without prior authorization from the designated school official (DSO)
Termination date and reason for termination.
Other data generated by standard procedures such as program extensions, school transfers, changes in level of study, employment authorizations, and reinstatement.
Any student who fails to maintain status or complete his or her program.

What does "fail to maintain status" mean?

Some examples of failure to maintain status include:

dropping from full-time 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 I-20 extension or
change in level of study,
unauthorized employment, and
failure to report a change of address.

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What are the consequences if a student fails to maintain status?

Student records are updated in SEVIS every semester. Students who fail to maintain status lose the privileges of their student visa and become subject to 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 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 drops below a full course of study without prior approval from the DSO, that "event" would be reported via SEVIS, and he or she would be out of status. The student may apply for reinstatement if the violation resulted from circumstances beyond his or her control. Reinstatement is intended to be a rare benefit for exceptional cases. The student may not apply for reinstatement under any circumstances if he or she is out of status longer than five months. If INS does not reinstate the student, he or she may not appeal that decision.

How will CSB|SJU help students comply with the immigration laws?

CSB|SJU is committed to assist students in ways that prevent status violations from ever occurring. Accordingly, effective Spring semester 2003, three Registration changes will take effect.

F-1 students new to CSB|SJU must physically check in with the International Student Program Office (ISPO) prior to registering for classes. The ISPO will review the student's visa documents, confirm to SEVIS that the student has arrived on campus.
All F-1 students who register for less than a full course of study (other than Summer Break) without a waiver of the full-time requirement will have their registration cancelled by the 4^th day of classes.
International students will not be able to drop below a full course of study without prior authorization from the ISPO. "Full-time" means 12 credits per semester for undergraduates. Acceptable reasons for reduced credit load include:
- Students who experience academic difficulties (for example, unfamiliarity with American teaching methods) may take a reduced credit load.
- Students in their final term of study need only the credits required to complete the degree.
- Students who have a medical problem can reduce their credit load or take the semester off.

Remember, only the Designated School Officials in the ISPO have authority to authorize a reduced credit load for F-1 students!

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What happens if CSB|SJU fails to comply with the SEVIS regulations?

The USCIS is required to audit CSB|SJU's compliance with these new requirements every two years. Failure to comply with the federal regulations could result in the loss of the College and University's ability to accept international students.

Will SEVIS benefit students in any way?

Data moves faster through an electronic system than through a paper system. Students can expect that INS forms will be produced faster, applications for benefits such as Practical Training will be approved more quickly, and visas will be granted without the usual long delays.

What should students do to prepare for SEVIS?

Read any email updates from the CSB|SJU or the International Student Program Office, and periodically check for updates on the ISPO web site. Changes in immigration or visa procedures sometimes happen quickly. Information is posted as soon as we have reliable facts.
Understand the immigration regulations and learn how to maintain lawful status in the U.S., and refer any questions or problems immediately to ISPO.
Students should plan their course schedules carefully so that they maintain full-time enrollment. Contact Lynda Fish, in Academic Advising.
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.
Notify Addy Spitzer within 10 days if you change address.

Feel free to come to the ISPO for assistance. CSB|SJU is a better place because you are here, and we are committed to your success!

Are there other resources about SEVIS?

You can access www.uscis.gov

The information contained in the ISPO website is for the use of the CSB|SJU community. Some of the information is very general and some is specific to the CSB|SJU. Information contained herein should not be used as the sole source of information for making decisions that may affect one's legal status in the U.S. or one's right to study, teach, conduct research, or work.

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