SEVIS

1
SEVIS

• The Student Exchange Visitor Information System
• Prepared by International Programs Exchanges
• Western Washington University

2
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System (SEVIS)

• An internet-based system that allows schools and
  the Immigration Naturalization Service (INS) to
  exchange data on the visa status of international
  students.
• Information is transmitted electronically
  throughout the students academic career.
• US Consulates and other US government agencies
  will have access to this information

3
History and Timeline

• 1979 Iranian hostage crisis
• 1993 First World Trade Center bombing
• 1998 Bombings at US embassies in Tanzania and
  Kenya
• 2000 Bombing of the USS Cole
• 2001 September 11th attacks on the WTC and
  Pentagon

• 1995 INS internal review of intl student
  procedures
• 1996 New Immigration Act passed creating SEVIS
• 2001 USA PATRIOT Act passed
• 2001 Enhanced Border Security Act passed
• 2003 Mandated compliance date January 31

4
THE CURRENT SYSTEM
Sends application
Sends acceptance

Sends enrollment Confirm. deposit
Input students info into ISEAS
International Student
WWU
Student
WWU
ISEAS
Sends I-20 or DS2019 to student
Reports changes in status Using paper forms
Applies for Visa
Issues Visa
Student registers For classes
Student
USA
US Consulate
WWU
INS
Student enters
Consulate verifies student in ISEAS
ISEAS
KEY RED Current System BLUE Recent ISEAS
requirement (9/11/02- 1/29/2003)
5
UNDER SEVIS
Verifies acceptance of student
State Dept. Justice Dept.
Bar-coded I-20 or DS2019 sent electronically
Issuance of Visa
Verifying information and checking watchlists
WWU prints I-20 or DS2019 and sends
Background check on applicant
Acceptance of student to WWU and I-20 issued
Requests I-20 or DS2019
Applies for visa
Sends enrollment confirmation deposit
acceptance
INS (SEVIS)
WWU
Student
WWU
International Student
WWU
Student
US Consulate
applies
Issues Visa
Informs of student entry
Verifies compliance before issuing SS
If student fails to appear within 30 days of entry
Pays SEVIS fee and obtains receipt
INS
WWU (IPE)
Student enters US
INS
Social Security Administration
KEY RED Current System BLUE Additional steps
under SEVIS
Student physically reports and registers for
full-time course load
Reports changes within 21 days every term
Audits every two years for compliance
INS reports students exit from US to SEVIS
6
What Data does SEVIS Collect?

• Whether the student enrolls, or fails to enroll.
• Change of name or address
• Graduation prior to the end date on I-20.
• Any disciplinary action taken by the school
  against the student as a result of the student
  being convicted of a crime.
• Whether the student drops below a full course of
  study.
• Termination date and reason.
• Information on any student who fails to maintain
  status or complete their program.
• Any other notification request made by SEVIS with
  respect to the current status of the student.

7
The IPE safety net

• The International Programs Exchanges Office
  filters information to SEVIS
• Designated School Officials and Responsible
  Officers have legal authority to authorize
  part-time enrollment
• Exceptions to the full-time requirement must be
  granted in advance

8
Consequences to the Student of Falling Out of
Status

• Denial of re-entry to the U.S.
• Inability to move from undergraduate to graduate
  status or transfer to a new school
• Denial of request for Practical Training
• Denial of request to change visa status
• Possible denial of all future visa applications

9
Reinstatement

• Possible only in the event of
• Natural disaster
• Serious illness or injury
• Closure of the institution
• Reduction in course load that would have been in
  the DSOs power to authorize, and reinstatement
  denial would result in extreme hardship to the
  student A student out of status for five months
  or longer has no possibility for reinstatement

10
Consequences for WWU if students fall out of
status

• Fewer international students
• Disruption of teaching and research programs

11
Consequences to WWU if WWU fails to comply

• Probation, leading to the possible loss of
  ability to accept international students and
  scholars
• INS audits schools every 2 years for SEVIS
  compliance

12
Economic Impact

• In 2001/02, WWU had 189 international students
  from 36 countries
• These students contributed an estimated
  4,600,500 to the Washington State economy
• Source NAFSA Association of International
  Educators, 2002

13
New Steps to Keep Students and the WWU compliant

• International students who register for less than
  a full-time courseload, without prior DSO
  approval, will have their registration cancelled.
• International students will not be able to drop
  below full-time without DSO approval.
• IMPLEMENTATION DATE January 1, 2003

14

• International educational exchange is the most
  significant current project designed to.expand
  the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy and
  perception.
• Senator J. William Fulbright