OVERVIEW: S.E.V.I.S. which stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is what is commonly referred to in the press as the "foreign student tracking database".

Based on legislation from 1996 (IIRAIRA, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996), SEVIS is the system that Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Dept. of State (DOS) uses to gather information about international students and scholars in F, J, and M (vocational programs) visa status and their dependents, from the time of the production of the initial visa document (the I-20 for Fs and Ms, the DS-2019 (replacing the IAP-66) for Js) to the individual's program completion or departure from the University of Denver, or in the case of those students who elect to participate in what is called"Optional Practical Training" or "Academic Training" - a period of employment or attempted employment after the completion of studies.

What Student and Scholar Information is Reported to SEVIS?

The information on a SEVIS form I-20 or DS-2019 is required. In addition, there are "events" defined in immigration law, which are different for Fs and Js. Each academic registration period, student academic registration information must be reported. Listed below is the major information which has to be reported to DHS through SEVIS.

Event Related Reporting Requirement (students and scholars): local address changes (physical address); a change in the student or scholar's (or dependent's) legal name or address; failure of a student or scholar to maintain status or complete his or her program; any student who has graduated early or prior to the program end date on the SEVIS form I-20; any scholar who has completed his or her program early or prior to the program end date on the SEVIS form DS-2019; any disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the student being convicted of a crime; extension of program an academic or exchange visitor program; intention of transfer to another school or program; application for practical training; and any other notification request made by SEVIS with respect to the current status of the student.

Session Related Reporting Requirement (students): whether the student has enrolled at the school, dropped below a full course of study without prior authorization by the DSO, or failed to enroll; the current, physical address of each enrolled student; and the start date of the next session.

What Can You Do as International Students and Scholars to Help Comply with SEVIS Regulations?

Review your program (e.g. degree level and major) and personal information (e.g. local mailing address and overseas home address) in the MyWeb to ensure the information is always up-to-date.

Stay informed! Visit the ISSS website often and read "The Globe", the international student electronic newsletter sent to your DU email address weekly.

Most importantly, if you need to underenroll, stop out, withdraw or tranfer out, always consult an ISSS advisor before doing so.

BACK TO TOP

OVERVIEW: On July 1, 2004, The Federal Register published a rule on the implementation of a $100 SEVIS fee, or I-901 fee, for international students, exchange visitors and scholars attending school or conducting research in the United States. The fee, associated with the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS), is mandatory for new initial F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors.

Other international students and exchange visitor who must pay the SEVIS fee include, but not limited to, continuing F-1 international students and exchange visitors who have been out of the U.S. for more than five months, F-1 students who have been out of status for more than five months, and J-1 exchange visitors who are filing for reinstatement after a substantive violations who have been out of status between 121 and 269 days.

Detailed SEVIS Fee Information:
For F-1 Students
For J-1 Exchange Visitors
University Administrators

For more information on the SEVIS fee, payment methods and procedures, or whether you are required to pay the SEVIS fee, visit: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901

Back to Main Page                                                                                         BACK TO TOP