STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE (SEVIS)
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS) is a web-based student and exchange visitor tracking program established by the USCIS. SEVIS requires institutions of higher education and sponsors of exchange visitor programs to maintain accurate and current information on nonimmigrant students, exchange visitors and their dependents (all those in the F, M or J visa status).
SEVIS will track F and J visa holders from the moment they receive their documents ( I-20 visa, DS-2019, etc.) until they complete their program. SEVIS links with colleges and universities, US Embassies, US Consulates, US port of entry and The Department of State.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT A SCHOLAR?
SEVIS regulations will impact your responsibilities as a visiting scholar in the U.S. You must stay informed of the regulations to avoid problems with your immigrations status.
Effective January 30, 2003, all Forms must be SEVIS generated. The following forms need to be completed and submitted together to ISFVS to create the DS-2019(s) in SEVIS. (New DS-2019 Fact Sheet - Part I (completed by the department).
New DS-2019 Fact Sheet - Part II (to be completed by the scholar.)
Employment is limited to the specific employer and employment specified on the Ds-2019 form.
You must report to ISFVS within 3 days of your first day of work for validation of your program start date in SEVIS. Upon completion or termination of your program, you must notify our office for validation of program end date through SEVIS.
If your dependents do not arrive in the US with you, but intend to join you in the US, he/she must have a SEVIS DS-2019 form. Please fill out Invite Immediate Family Form and bring or e-mail to ISFVS. You must have adequate funding and insurance coverage before the forms will be generated. Please contact our office 814-865-0423 for further assistance.
Failure to inform USCIS of major changes, including change of address within 10 days, failure to process a transfer, etc., may result in loss of employment authorization eligibility, or opportunity to return to the US after a visit abroad.
If you have any questions regarding immigration status, or other matters please do not hesitate to call our office and make an appointment with our staff.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE DEPARTMENT?
The date of termination, date the J visitor leaves the country, graduates, quits or is terminated, must be reported through SEVIS within 30 days of the event.
J-1 scholars scheduled to be at Penn State for 5 days or more, must report to our office for validation of the program start date through SEVIS.
Failure to notify USCIS and DOS that the scholar has arrived and commenced their program at the designated department will result in sanctions against The Pennsylvania State University.
Immediately after the end of J-1 program, the scholar must notify our office via J-1 Departure Notice
If a J-1 scholar is terminated before the end of their program, the department must notify ISFVS immdiately.
We are committed to helping you meet the goals of your department and we will maintain up-to-date information on our website concerning SEVIS. Please call our office regarding SEVIS and other immigration matters.