SEVIS
What is SEVIS?
“SEVIS” is the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System. SEVIS is an Internet-based database system maintained by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which is a unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEVIS is designed to provide users with access to accurate and current information on nonimmigrant foreign students, exchange visitors, and their dependents. SEVP-approved schools and Department of State-approved exchange visitor programs must use SEVIS to issue immigration documents and track extensions, transfers, authorized employment, enrollment, addresses, reduced course loads, and other reportable events. Please note that non-immigrant foreign nationals who are employed at U-M pursuant to H-visas or other employment-based visa categories are not subject to the SEVIS tracking and reporting requirements. SEVIS applies only to those non-immigrant foreign nationals who are in the country on an F-, J-, or M-visa. U-M is not authorized to enroll students in M-1 status.
Please note that non-immigrant aliens who are employed at U-M pursuant to H visas or other employment-based visa categories are not subject to the SEVIS tracking and reporting requirements. SEVIS applies only to those non-immigrant aliens who are in the country on either a F, J or M visa. U-M does not issue any M visas.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with SEVIS?
The penalties for giving false or misleading information to the SEVIS database are significant. U-M could lose its ability to sponsor international students and scholars on F- and J-visas. SEVIS is extremely unforgiving of mistakes. Therefore, only the authorized U-M Designated School Officials and Responsible Officers have access to SEVIS. They are well-trained and experienced international student/scholar professionals.
Foreign students and scholars do not input data into SEVIS. Foreign students and scholars, however, have an independent responsibility to maintain a lawful status while in the United States. This includes maintaining current contact information with the Registrar, becoming knowledgeable about reporting requirements and updates and timely notifying the International Center of reportable events. The penalties for foreign students and scholars are also significant. Failure to provide up-to-date information may result in a student becoming out-of-status and deported and may negatively impact future visa applications to the United States.
Where can I get reliable and up-to-date information on SEVIS or other immigration matters at U-M?
The campus International Centers are responsible for keeping U-M abreast of changes in immigration laws that affect our students and scholars. Please refer to the information provided by your campus International Center for complete and accurate immigration information.
Who is responsible for SEVIS compliance at U-M?
Consult with the International Center or Office on your campus regarding authorized signatories.
The International Center on the Ann Arbor campus is responsible for SEVIS compliance for the Ann Arbor foreign student program (F-visa) and the Exchange Visitor Program (J-visa).
International Center
515 East Jefferson
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1370
(734) 764-9310
Email: icenter@umich.edu
The Office of International Affairs on the Dearborn campus is responsible for SEVIS compliance for the Dearborn foreign student program and Exchange Visitor Program. The Primary Designated School Official for the Dearborn foreign student program is Lori Lewis, Assistant Registrar. The Responsible Officer for the Dearborn Exchange Visitor Program is Emily Wang, International Program Coordinator.
Office of International Affairs
4901 Evergreen Road
2136 University Center
Dearborn, MI 48126
(313) 583-6600
Email: umdoia-international@umich.edu
The International Student Center on the Flint campus is responsible for SEVIS implementation and compliance for the Flint foreign student program. The Primary Designated School Official for the Flint foreign student program is Peter Hendricks, International Student Coordinator.
International Student Center
515 Stevens Street
Flint, MI 48502-1950
(810) 767-6449
Email: ic@umflint.edu
Who is authorized to submit data into SEVIS?
Only those employees of U-M who are classified as either a Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) or a Designated School Official (DSO) are authorized to enter data for the foreign student program (F-visa). Only those employees of U-M who are classified as either the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) are authorized to enter data for the Exchange Visitor Program (J-Visa).
Who is authorized to sign immigration paperwork for F- and J-visa holders?
U-M employees are not permitted to sign immigration paperwork for international students and scholars, unless authorized by U-M and federal government to do so. All international students here on an F-visa (student) are required to maintain a valid SEVIS I-20 form. Only those individuals who have been designated by the federal government as a Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) or a Designated School Official (DSO) for each campus are authorized to sign this form.
Similarly, all students and scholars who are here on a J-visa (Exchange Visitor) are required to maintain a valid SEVIS DS2019 form. Only the individuals who have been designated by the federal government as a Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for each campus are authorized to sign this form.
Unauthorized signatures on these forms can result in serious negative consequences. For example, an individual may be denied entry to the United States or denied other benefits (e.g., transfer to another institution, taking a reduced course load, etc.); U-M’s authorization to enroll F-1 students or sponsor exchange visitors and scholars could be revoked; and unauthorized signers could face serious legal difficulties for failing to comply with federal regulations.
Students/scholars and their dependents will continue to be responsible for staying in status with the terms of their visas. Accordingly, all F- and J-visa holders must stay informed of current regulations that impact their immigrant status.
Glossary of Terms
Department of State:
The Department of State is a federal executive cabinet department that is responsible for implementing United States foreign policy. The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is responsible for approving exchange visitor programs, overseeing the issuance of Form DS-2019 (the Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 visa), and tracking all J visa holders while in the United States.
F-1 visa:
This visa status applies to nonimmigrant (a person who is a citizen of a foreign country and intends to return there) foreign students who are granted permission to enter the United States to pursue a full-time course of study at an approved college, university, or other academic institution. Those individuals entering the United States via an F-1 visa are issued aSEVIS Form I-20 by the sponsoring academic institution.
F-2 visa:
This visa status applies to nonimmigrant (a person who is a citizen of a foreign country and intends to return there) foreign nationals who are either a spouse or a qualifying child of an F-1 nonimmigrant.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
In 2003, most of the functions of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) were transferred from the Department of Justice to three new agencies within the newly created Department of Homeland Security, The three agencies are:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for identifying and shutting down vulnerabilities in the nation’s border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security. ICE has investigative and enforcement responsibilities for federal immigration laws, customs laws, and air security laws.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for protecting the U.S. borders. CBP has inspection responsibilities for U.S. Customs, U.S. Immigration, Animal & Plant Health Inspection, and U.S. Border Patrol.
J-1 visa:
This visa status applies to nonimmigrant (a person who is a citizen of a foreign country and intends to return there) foreign nationals who have been selected by a sponsor designated by the Department of State to participate in an exchange visitor program in the United States. Examples of J-1 visa holders at U-M include professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, specialists, and students. U-M, as the sponsoring exchange program, issues those individuals Form DS-2019, which is used to apply for a J-1 visa so that the individual can enter the U.S. in J-1 status.
J-2 visa:
This visa status applies to nonimmigrant ( a person who is a citizen of a foreign country and intends to return there) foreign nationals who are either a spouse or a minor child of a J-1 nonimmigrant.
PDSO:
The Primary Designated School Official is the person authorized by U-M and approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to ensure U-M’s SEVIS compliance with its approved foreign student program. The PDSO, along with the DSOs, is authorized to access SEVIS and to sign and approve F-1 visa related immigration documents on behalf of U-M.
A DSO is a Designated School Official. A DSO is a person who is authorized by U-M and is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to access SEVIS and manage U-M’s foreign student program, under the supervision of the PDSO. A DSO ensures institutional and individual compliance with the law, by learning and interpreting and applying laws and government policies pertaining to F-1 students.
RO:
The Responsible Officer (RO) is the person authorized by U-M and approved by the Department of State to ensure U-M’s SEVIS compliance with its approved exchange visitor program. The RO, along with the AROs, is authorized to access SEVIS and to sign and approve J-visa related immigration documents on behalf of U-M.
An “ARO” is an Alternate Responsible Officer. An ARO is a person who is authorized by U-M and is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to access SEVIS and manage U-M’s exchange visitors program, under the supervision of the RO. An ARO ensures institutional and individual compliance with the law, by learning and interpreting and applying laws and government policies pertaining to J-1 exchange visitors.
SEVP:
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is the federal agency responsible for managing SEVIS. SEVP is a unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
