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SEVIS Reporting Requirements for Designated School Officials

Federal laws and regulations require the Designated School Official (DSO) to update and maintain the SEVIS records of nonimmigrant students in F and M visa categories. If the DSO does not complete the required actions within the legal time limits, SEVIS automatically updates the student records. SEVIS functions do not extend the legal time limits and are not intended to replace timely action by a DSO to comply with reporting responsibilities. The following summarizes DSO reporting requirements and time limits for completing each task.

SEVIS Reporting Requirements for Designated School Officials
Reporting Requirement Time Limit for DSO Reporting in SEVIS SEVIS Alerts/Lists Automatic SEVIS Function

Initial student reporting – if the student has Port of Entry (POE) information: All initial F-1 and M-1 students should report to a DSO as soon as possible upon admission into the United States but no later than the Initial Session Start Date (start of classes) as listed in SEVIS. (8 CFR 214.3(g)(iii)(C))

Note: The Program Start Date/Report Date may be the same day as the Initial Session Start Date.

DSO must:

  • Register the student, if the student reports to school.
  • Terminate the student using reason of No Show, if the student does not report to school.

DSOs are encouraged to report (register) the student in SEVIS as soon as possible after the Initial Session Start Date. DSOs must report the student no later than 30 days after the Initial Session Start Date as listed in SEVIS. (8 CFR 214.3(g)(iii)(C))

Alert: Students in Initial Status with Port of Entry Records

SEVIS automatically terminates the student record, if you fail to register the student.

Termination Reason: No Show – System Termination

Initial student reporting – if the student record lacks POE information: All initial F-1 and M-1 students should report to a DSO as soon as possible upon admission into the United States but no later than the Initial Session Start Date (start of classes) as listed in SEVIS. (8 CFR 214.3(g)(iii)(C))

Note: The Program Start Date/Report Date may be the same day as the Initial Session Start Date.

DSO must:

  • Register the student, if the student reports to school.
  • Cancel the record, if the student will no longer attend the school.
  • Defer the student, if the student will attend a later session.
  • Terminate the student, if you know the student entered the country, but did not enroll for classes.
  • Cancel the student, if the student did not enroll for classes and you do not know if they entered the country.

Note: If the POE information is missing from the student record, the DSO should verify student visa status via the student’s travel documents or confirmation of Change of Status by USCIS. Travel information can be verified using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) public-facing I-94 site. After being granted permission by the student or parent/guardian of a minor, a DSO can go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ to search for the most recent data and travel history. If known travel dates are missing, the student can reach out to CBP for additional information.

DSOs are encouraged to report (register) the student in SEVIS as soon as possible after the Initial Session Start Date. DSOs must report the student no later than 30 days after the Initial Session Start Date as listed in SEVIS. (8 CFR 214.3(g)(iii)(C)

List: Records in Initial Status

SEVIS automatically cancels the student record, if you fail to register the student.

Active student reporting for each term or semester: At the start of each new session, report whether or not an active student reported and enrolled in classes within 30 days of the start of the session. DSO must:

  • Register the student, if the student is enrolled as a full time student.
  • Terminate the student for Failure to enroll, if the student does not enroll.

Within 30 days of the start of each session

Alert: Active Students Requiring Registration

SEVIS automatically terminates the student record, if you fail to register the student.

Termination Reason: Failure to Enroll

Draft student record for F-1 transfer student: After the Transfer Release Date, the Transfer-In DSO creates a Form I-20, if the student will attend his/her school.

Prior to the Program Start Date, which must be within five months of the Transfer Release Date or the prior program completion date, whichever is earlier (8 CFR 214.2(f)(8)(i))

List: Students in Transferred Status

SEVIS automatically terminates the student record, if you fail to create a Form I-20.

Initial records for F-1 transfer students: F-1 students transferring to your school must report to the DSO no later than 15 days of their Program Start Date (the date the student is required to report to the school). They may report earlier. The DSO must:

  • Register the student, if the student enrolls at your school.
  • Terminate the student for Transfer Student No Show, if the student does not enroll.

DSOs are encouraged to report (register) the student in SEVIS as soon as possible after the Initial Session Start Date. DSOs must report the student no later than 30 days after the Initial Session Start Date as listed in SEVIS. (8 CFR 214.3(g)(iii)(C))

Alert: Transfer-In Students not Registered by Program Start Date

SEVIS automatically terminates the student record, if you fail to register the student.

Draft student record for M-1 transfer student: Transfer-In DSO gains immediate access to an M-1 student’s SEVIS record after a DSO at the transfer-out school processes the transfer in SEVIS, even if the Transfer Release Date is in the future. As soon as possible:

  • Transfer-In DSO creates a Form I-20 for the program at his/her school.
  • Student must file with USCIS:
    • Form I-539
    • Form I-20
    • Applicable fee
    • Other applicable supporting documents

As soon as you have access

List: Students in Transferred Status

SEVIS automatically terminates the student, if you fail to create a Form I-20 for the student.

Note: If USCIS denies the application, SEVIS will terminate the record for Transfer Denied.

Initial record for M-1 transfer student: The student must report to the transfer-in school and enroll in classes by the Initial Session Start Date (start date of classes), even if USCIS has not yet adjudicated the Form I-539. Transfer-In DSO must:

  • Register the student, if the student enrolls at the Transfer-In school.
  • Terminate the student for Transfer Student No Show, if the student does not enroll.

DSOs are encouraged to report (register) the student in SEVIS as soon as possible after the Initial Session Start Date. DSOs must report the student no later than 30 days after the Initial Session Start Date as listed in SEVIS. (8 CFR 214.3(g)(iii)(C))

List: Students in Transferred Status and Transfer in Students not Registered

SEVIS automatically terminates the student, if you fail to register the student.

Note: If USCIS denies the application, SEVIS will terminate the record for Transfer Denied.

Nonimmigrants changing to F-1 or M-1 status: DSOs must maintain the records of prospective students, who apply for change of status to F or M status.
Note: Upon approval of the change of status to F-1 or M-1, students must report to a DSO.
Note: M-1 students may not change their educational objective and cannot later apply for a change of status to F-1.

DSOs must:

  • Register the student, if the student enrolls at school.
  • Terminate the student for Transfer Student No Show, if the student does not enroll.
Defer the program, if USCIS has not approved the change of status by the Program Start Date.

DSOs are encouraged to report (register) the student in SEVIS as soon as possible after the student reports to the school in F-1 or M-1 status. DSOs must report the student no later than 30 days after the Initial Session Start Date as listed in SEVIS.

Alert: Pending Change of Status

SEVIS automatically terminates any student record with a Pending or Approved Change Of Status Application, if you fail to register or defer the student’s attendance.

Student’s graduation or completion of program: DSOs update a student’s Program End Date to reflect graduation from or successful completion of the program. DSO must:

  • Shorten program, if the student finishes the studies earlier than the current Program End Date.
  • Complete the program, if the student completed the program and left the country.

Within 21 days of the change
(8 CFR 214.3(g)(2)(ii)(C))

Alert: Students Within 45 Days Program End Date

SEVIS automatically completes any student record after the Program End Date or the OPT End Date (whichever is later).

General F-1 and M-1 reporting requirements: DSOs are required to keep student records up-to-date by reporting changes in:

  • Student or dependent name or address
  • Academic program and status, including early graduation/completion
  • Disciplinary action taken by the school, as a result of a conviction of a crime
  • Employment, including STEM OPT reporting requirements
  • Failure to maintain status/complete program

Within 21 days of the change (8 CFR 214.3(g)(2)(ii))

    

 

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