Office of International Education

SEVIS

The U. S. Government, along with all schools that admit international students and scholars, is currently in the process of implementing SEVIS - The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This system will enable the Government to maintain updated information on F-l non-immigrant international students and J-l Exchange Visitors and their F-2 and J-2 dependents. Much of the required information has always been available to the Government, but has not been available in a database designed for this purpose. After February 15, 2003, all new students and Exchange Visitors and their dependents must enter the United States with a SEVIS visa document (i.e. Forms I-20 or DS-2019). By August 1, 2003, all continuing students and Exchange Visitors and their dependents must be entered into SEVIS and must use SEVIS documents if they travel outside and reenter to the U.S. For more information about SEVIS, go to government web site here.

What must students and scholars do to be in compliance with SEVIS regulations?

F-l students must register with the Office of International Education as soon as possible after arrival in Richmond and NOT LATER THAN 15 days after arrival in the United States. the Office of International Education must report F-l students' arrival in SEVIS within 30 days of their entry or they will be designated as "No Shows" in SEVIS;

J-l students and scholars must register with the Office of International Education and have the records validated in SEVIS within 30 days of the start date on their DS-2019 visa document or their status in SEVIS will be terminated;

Students must register each semester for full-time study. the Office of International Education must report students in SEVIS who are not registered for full-time study within 30 days of the drop/add deadline.

Students must report a name change and an address change to the Office of International Education and to the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of the change. Address Change Form

Students must notify the Office of International Education if they will complete programs earlier than expected or if they change their programs of study.

Since January 2003, the Office of International Education has issued SEVIS visa documents for all new international students, scholars, and their dependents on F and J visas. the Office of International Education is in the process of entering into SEVIS the records of continuing international students and their dependents. We are notifying individuals when their new SEVIS document(s) is ready to be picked up in the Office of International Education. Anyone traveling outside the U.S. this summer should contact the Office of International Education before leaving to arrange for a SEVIS document to be issued.