SEVIS Approval For International Students


Gas Jockeys helps schools to tap into the international student market and to navigate through the Department of Homeland Security regulations.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) certifies schools to receive international students, processes student visa applications, and monitors nonimmigrant students while they are in the U.S.

Often, it is not what you write but the way your application is worded that determines the outcome. Gas Jockeys has years of experience and can guide you through the approval process.

International Student Market

  • The number of international students in the U.S. has grown 72% since 2000.
  • During the 2013-2014 school year, 886,052 undergraduate and graduate students attended colleges and universities in the U.S.
  • International students make up around a third of the student body at some schools.
  • Students from overseas now make up about 4% of all university students in the U.S.
  • Half of these international students are from India, China, and South Korea, with increasing numbers from Saudi Arabia.
  • Many countries give scholarships to send students to study in the U.S.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

SEVIS is a web-based information system that tracks and monitors F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange program) nonimmigrants and their dependents throughout their approved participation within the U.S. education system or a designated exchange visitor program.

SEVIS was deployed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State in January, 2003, after Congress mandated the use of an electronic system to collect information on all F, M, and J nonimmigrants following 9/11.

SEVIS maintains records on these nonimmigrants and receives updated information from schools and sponsors, such as changes of address or program study. SEVIS also maintains information on schools, exchange visitor program sponsors, and their representatives, including designated school officials (DSOs), responsible officers, and alternate responsible officers.

For F and M nonimmigrants, SEVIS is used to:

  • Petition SEVP for certification to offer programs of study to nonimmigrant students.
  • Update school information and apply for recertification to issue Certificates of Eligibility (Forms I–20) to nonimmigrant students and their dependents.
  • Issue Form I–20 to specific individuals to obtain F or M status while enrolled at your school.
  • Fulfill your school’s legal reporting responsibility regarding the student’s address, course of study, enrollment, employment, and compliance with the terms of the student status.
  • Transfer a student SEVIS record to another institution.

For J nonimmigrants, SEVIS is used to:

  • Petition the Department of State for a designation that allows the sponsor to offer educational and cultural exchange programs to exchange visitors.
  • Update sponsor information and apply for re-designation every two years.
  • Issue Form DS–2019 to specific individuals to obtain J status.
  • Fulfill the sponsor’s legal reporting responsibility regarding the exchange visitors address, site of activity, program participation, employment, and compliance with the terms of the J status.
  • Transfer an exchange visitor’s SEVIS record to another institution.

Gas Jockeys offers assistance with SEVIS:

  • Applications and certifications
  • Training staff to use SEVIS and process student visa forms
  • Compliance with reporting requirements

U.S. News and World Report: Number of International College Students Continues to Climb