The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a government database created to keep track of students in F-1, J-1 and M-1 status. (Note: ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ State is not certified to accept M-1 status students.) Before you can apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, a Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) SO/ARO from ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ State will need to issue an I-20 or DS2019 for you. This document is generated from SEVIS and has personal information, such as your name, your program of study and your finances. SEVIS is used to communicate information from your school to government entities. This information is used by the government for different reasons, such as visa issuance, driver’s license issuance, to track down immigration status violators, for criminal investigations, etc. Full implementation of SEVIS was mandated after September 11, 2001.

Who has access to SEVIS?

  • The school that issued your I-20 or DS-2019
  • Department of State Embassy and Consular offices

How does SEVIS work?

Once your I-20 or DS-2019 is used, SEVIS starts collecting data about you, so events like class registration, changes in program of study, changes in major, work authorizations, etc, are saved in this database. The school database communicates with SEVIS to ensure the transfer of relevant information. This is why it is very important that you update your address with the ISSSO and that you request a new I-20 every time there is a significant change, such as a change in your name or your program of study (please see Maintaining F-1 Status).

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ State University's ISSSO helps ensure that all F-1 students - as well as the University itself - comply with SEVIS documentation requirements.

If you have questions about your SEVIS record, need to begin a new SEVIS record, or are transferring your SEVIS record to ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, please contact our team.