SEVIS

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This is a web-based system managed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), intended to track and monitor international students as well as exchange visitors participating in study or exchange programmes in the US.

This system is managed by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). SEVIS collects, stores, and analyses information to ensure that only legitimate students and exchange visitors are allowed to enter the US, while monitoring their status throughout their stay.

Specifically, SEVIS applies to the following visa types:

• F visa: For students studying full-time at accredited universities, colleges, or schools.
• M visa: For students in vocational or non-academic training programmes.
• J Visa: For exchange visitors, including professors, researchers, trainees, and cultural exchange programmes.

Schools and exchange programmes must use SEVIS to report information about students, such as residential addresses, academic status, changes in study programmes, or employment. This helps the United States government maintain security and ensure compliance with immigration regulations.

SEVIS was developed after the 11 September 2001 attacks to enhance immigration control and is now a vital tool in the United States immigration system. If you are an international student, you must maintain valid SEVIS status to avoid issues such as visa cancellation or entry bans.