Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) acts as the bridge for varied government organizations which have an interest in information on foreign students. SEVP uses web-based technology, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.

SEVP collects, maintains and provides the information so that only legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the United States. The result is an easily accessible information system that provides timely information to the Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

For more information, please view: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is a web-based system for maintaining information on international nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors to the United States. It is the core technology for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in this critical mission. SEVIS implements Section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996, which requires DHS to collect current information from nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors continually during their course of stay in the United States. In addition, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act; Public Law 107-56, amended Section 641) mandated implementation of SEVIS prior to January 1, 2003.

SEVIS tracks and monitors nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. If accepted by a school certified by SEVP, foreign students may be admitted to the United States in the appropriate F or M nonimmigrant status. If accepted for participation in a Department of State (DOS) verified exchange visitor program, exchange visitors may be admitted to the United States (U.S.) in J nonimmigrant status. Records of these alien admissions and continued participation in these educational programs are maintained in SEVIS. Further, SEVIS enables SEVP to assure proper reporting and recordkeeping by schools and exchange visitor programs, thereby ensuring data currency and integrity. SEVIS also provides a mechanism for student and exchange visitor status violators to be identified so that appropriate enforcement is taken (i.e., denial of admission, denial of benefits, or removal from the United States).

For more information, please view: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i17/i17_1.htm