Skip Navigation

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) was created in 2003 to collect and maintain information about non-immigrant students and exchange visitors during their stay in the United States. SEVIS is only used for visitors on an F-1 or J-1 visa and their dependents.

Administration of SEVIS

Although the F-1 program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security, and the J-1 program is administered by the Department of State, records for students in both programs are maintained in SEVIS and are administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) under the Department of Homeland Security. SEVP sets the technical specifications for SEVIS, while United States Citizenship and Immigration Services determines regulatory applications for the system.

Access to SEVIS

Access to SEVIS is limited to United States citizens and permanent residents and must be approved by the Department of Homeland Security and/or the Department of State. The following people commonly have access to SEVIS:

  • Designated school officials representing a school approved to host F-1 students.
  • Responsible officer representing a school or program approved to host J-1 exchange visitors.
  • Port of entry officers.
  • United States Customs and Immigration Services officers.

Information from SEVIS is also fed into related federal and state systems, such as the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Access to these systems depends on policies internal to those agencies.

Information Reported

Schools and programs hosting F-1 and J-1 students are required by federal law to report certain information about international visitors, including:

  • Legal name
  • Permanent and current U.S. addresses
  • Major field of study, length of program, and degree level
  • Employment details
  • Enrollment status
  • Violations of immigration status

The University of Denver only reports the minimum information required by law. The information entered in SEVIS is primarily used by advisors to issue immigration documents, such as the I-20 and DS-2019, and certain employment authorizations and recommendations.

SEVIS II

In late 2009, SEVP will begin transition to SEVIS II, which will replace the current version of SEVIS. The new version will allow students greater access to their immigration record and allow them to complete many reporting requirements themselves. ISSS will send updates about this change to students throughout the transition period.