Student and Exchange Visitor Program facts for kids

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a special program in the United States. It helps manage and keep track of students and visitors from other countries who come to study or participate in exchange programs. This program is part of a government group called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

SEVP uses a computer system called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This system holds important information about foreign students and exchange visitors. It covers different types of visas:

• F status: For students in academic programs, like high school or college.
• J status: For exchange visitors, like those in cultural exchange programs.
• M status: For students in vocational programs, which teach specific job skills.

While SEVP manages these programs, the actual visas are given out by United States Department of State offices in other countries. However, having your information correct in the SEVIS system is a must to get one of these visas.

What Are Student Visas?

When people from other countries want to study in the U.S., they usually need a special document called a visa. The SEVP helps manage three main types of visas for students and exchange visitors:

• F-1 Visa: This is for students who want to attend a college, university, or high school.
• M-1 Visa: This is for students who want to attend a vocational school, which teaches skills for a specific job.
• J-1 Visa: This is for people who come to the U.S. for exchange programs, like cultural exchanges or work-and-travel programs.

Each of these visas also has a version for family members (like spouses or children) who come with the main student or visitor. For example, an F-1 student's child would get an F-2 visa.

Important Documents

When you apply for one of these visas, you'll need a special document from your school or program:

• For F and M students, this document is called an I-20.
• For J exchange visitors, it's called a DS-2019.

These documents prove that you've been accepted into a program and are allowed to apply for the visa.

Who Helps at Schools?

Schools and programs that host international students have special staff members who help manage the SEVP rules.

• For F and M students, these people are called Designated School Officials (DSOs). The main person in charge is the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO).
• For J exchange visitors, they are called Responsible Officials (ROs) or Alternate Responsible Officials (AROs).

History of SEVIS

The idea for SEVIS started after a bombing in New York City in 1993. It was found that one of the people involved had stayed in the U.S. on an expired student visa. This made the government realize they needed a better way to track foreign students.

In 1996, a law was passed to create a system to collect information on foreign students and exchange visitors. A test program called CIPRIS was launched in 1997. It helped the government learn what was needed for a bigger system.

Launch After 9/11

The SEVIS system became even more important after the September 11 attacks in 2001. One of the attackers had also come to the U.S. on a student visa. This led to a push to quickly put SEVIS into action.

• October 26, 2001: The Patriot Act was passed, which made it mandatory to create the SEVIS system.
• January 31, 2003: Using SEVIS became required for all schools and programs.

Since its launch, SEVIS has been updated many times to improve how it works.

Reporting Rules

Schools and programs that host international students must report certain information to SEVIS. This includes:

• Changes to a student's name or U.S. address.
• Changes to their major or degree level.
• Changes in how they are paying for their studies.
• Permission for them to work off-campus.

Schools also have to report if a student breaks the rules of their visa, such as not enrolling in classes or working without permission.

COVID-19 Changes

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many schools had to close their buildings. SEVP allowed international students to take more online classes so they wouldn't be penalized.

However, on July 6, 2020, ICE announced a new rule. It said that for the fall 2020 semester, international students had to take most of their classes in person. If a school was only offering online classes, international students might not be allowed to stay in the U.S.

This new rule caused a lot of concern among students, schools, and states. Many schools weren't planning to open for in-person classes due to the pandemic. Several lawsuits were filed against the government because of this rule. Before a court hearing, ICE decided to cancel the new rule. This meant international students could continue to take online classes without risking their visa status.

Program Fees

Fees for Students and Visitors

Since 2004, most international students and exchange visitors must pay a fee called the I-901 SEVIS fee. This fee helps pay for the SEVP and the SEVIS system. You usually pay this fee online after you get your I-20 or DS-2019 document. It's a required step before you can get your visa.

As of June 24, 2019, here are some of the fees:

Only the main student or visitor (F-1, J-1, or M-1) needs to pay this fee. Their family members (F-2, J-2, M-2) do not. You only pay this fee once for each new SEVIS record. It is separate from the visa application fee.