Skip to main content
Schools and Programs

Schools and Programs

Login to SEVIS

Call the SEVP Response Center at 1 (800) 892-4829 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST for assistance and support.

Only schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can enroll F or M nonimmigrant students. A school applies for SEVP-certification to enroll F and/or M students by completing the Form I-17, "Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student," online using the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and pays all required fees online at Pay.gov.

 

Regulations

Helpful Documents

  • Evidence Guidelines: Refer to the Evidence Guidelines (PDF) for the list of evidence usually needed for adjudication of an initial certification, petition update or recertification. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and that schools may be required to submit additional evidence or information, which will be outlined in any Request for Evidence sent to the school.
  • Adjustments to Designated School Official Limits and Dependent Study FAQ: Read these frequently asked questions for important information that relates to the Final Rule that went into effect May 29, 2015. The rule allows for increased opportunities for study by spouses and minor children of F-1 and M-1 students, as well as offer greater flexibility for SEVP-certified schools in determining how many designated school officials to nominate.
  • Postsecondary Schools: These are the Department of Education Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies for postsecondary schools.
  • Private Elementary and Secondary Schools: These are the Student and Exchange Visitor Program-identified accrediting agencies for private elementary and secondary schools (Direct questions regarding this list to sevp@ice.dhs.gov.)
  • Dear Colleagues Letter: The letter provides a format for DSOs to confidentially report sensitive information to SEVP. (PDF | 47 KB)
  • List of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Offices

Resources

Certification

As of Oct. 1, 2016, all schools seeking initial certification with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) must upload the evidence supporting their Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Petitions belonging to schools that fail to submit evidence with their petition filing will be canceled. Failure to submit all of the required evidence for filing may also result in the cancelation of the petition.

The evidence needed for filing is broken down below by school type and accreditation status. It is the responsibility of the school to determine which document applies to their school. Any questions can be directed to sevp@ice.dhs.gov.

For details regarding the definitions of the required evidence outlined in each checklist, refer to the Evidence Guidelines (PDF).

Public High School

The document below contains a checklist for the evidence required to file a Form I-17 petition for public high schools (i.e., grade nine through grade 12). Public high schools must upload the evidence supporting their petition via SEVIS. Petitions belonging to schools that fail to upload evidence will be canceled.

Accredited, Private Kindergarten through Grade 12

The document below contains a checklist for the evidence required to file a Form I-17 petition for private, accredited kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools. Private K-12 schools must upload the evidence supporting their petition via SEVIS. Petitions belonging to schools that fail to upload evidence will be canceled.

Non-Accredited, Private Kindergarten through Grade 12

The document below contains a checklist for the evidence required to file a Form I-17 petition for private, non-accredited K-12 schools. Private K-12 schools must upload the evidence supporting their petition via SEVIS. Petitions belonging to schools that fail to upload evidence will be canceled.

Accredited, F and/or M Post-Secondary

The document below contains a checklist for the evidence required to file a Form I-17 petition for accredited post-secondary schools. Schools must upload the evidence supporting their petition via SEVIS. Petitions belonging to schools that fail to upload evidence will be canceled.

Non-Accredited, F and/or M Post-Secondary

The document below contains a checklist for the evidence required to file a Form I-17 petition for non-accredited post-secondary schools. Schools must upload the evidence supporting their petition via SEVIS. Petitions belonging to schools that fail to upload evidence will be canceled.

Flight School

The document below contains a checklist for the evidence required to file a Form I-17 petition for flight schools. Flight schools must upload the evidence supporting their petition via SEVIS. Petitions belonging to schools that fail to upload evidence will be canceled.

For more information SEVP Certification Frequently Asked Questions page.

Recertification

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools must go through the recertification process every two years to ensure they remain eligible for certification and have complied with all record keeping, retention and reporting requirements, and all other requirements, in accordance with the regulations. There is a $1,250 fee for SEVP-certified schools submitting a petition for recertification.

One hundred and eighty days before a school’s certification expiration date (CED), designated school officials (DSOs) will receive notice from SEVP through Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) that the school is eligible to apply for recertification. Please note: Your school will not be able to submit for recertification unless your school has received its 180-day notice via SEVIS.

Schools may submit non-substantial Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” edits while filing for recertification. Substantial edits such as a change of ownership, a change of location or the addition of a location must be submitted as an update prior to submitting for recertification.

For example, a school may submit the recertification petition with a request to add a program of study to the Form I-17. In this circumstance, SEVP will adjudicate both the school’s eligibility for recertification and approval for the new program of study at the same time. However, the school would not be allowed to enroll new students into the requested program of study until adjudication is complete and an approval is granted for the new program.

Principal designated school officials (PDSOs) can follow the basic steps in the Recertification Checklist (PDF) to submit for recertification.

Quick Recertification Submission Tips

  • The Form I-17 must be signed in its entirety. This includes signatures by the principal designated school official (PDSO), all DSOs, the president, owner or head of school.
  • Successfully filing for recertification consists of submitting for recertification via SEVIS and paying the $1,250 recertification filing fee. This includes electronically submitting the petition and uploading all evidence in SEVIS.
  • Upon receipt of your complete recertification submission in SEVIS, you will receive a Notice of Confirmation of Complete Filing from the Recertification Team.
  • If you have not received a Notice of Confirmation of Complete Filing by your school’s CED, your school will be automatically withdrawn.
  • The Recertification Team strongly recommends that you submit your complete recertification filing in SEVIS as soon as possible and no later than 30 days prior to the CED.
  • Your school’s SEVP certification expires at 12:01 a.m. on the CED listed in SEVIS.
  • If a recertification submission is received on the day prior to the CED, your school may be temporarily withdrawn from SEVIS.
  • Please submit your recertification filing via SEVIS only. All evidence must be uploaded to SEVIS. Effective March 8, 2018, SEVP no longer accepts submissions via email. SEVP does not accept submissions via fax or U.S. mail.
  • If a school is pending recertification adjudication and a material change occurs during that time that requires an update to the Form I-17, the school should report the change(s) by email to SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.
  • Recertification information is located at the bottom of this page.

Recertification Instructions

Once you have been notified via SEVIS that your school is within the 180 days of the CED, your school must submit a completed recertification filing prior to the CED.

Please review the Recertification Checklist (PDF), Getting Started with SEVP Recertification, and the Form I-17 – Recertification article on SEVIS Help Hub to assist you in completing the recertification process. Do not submit the checklist with your recertification package. This is strictly for your use to ensure all required documentation and procedures are included and completed.

In order to file for recertification, you must electronically submit for recertification via SEVIS.

After Submitting the Petition for Recertification

If you correctly submit a complete recertification filing, you will receive a Notice of Confirmation of Complete Filing. This notice serves to inform you that SEVP received your petition for recertification and that the petition has entered the queue for review and adjudication.

If your submission is incorrect, you will receive a Notice of Rejection of Complete Filing. This notice will state the errors in your package and request that you make the corrections and resubmit your recertification filing. SEVP recommends that you correct any errors and submit a new filing as soon as possible.

Remember: You only have a total of 180 calendar days to resubmit a complete filing. No extensions will be granted.

Once your recertification filing is in adjudication, you may receive a Request for Evidence (RFE). You will have 15 calendar days to respond to the request. Failure to respond to an RFE may result in the denial of your school’s recertification petition. If no additional evidence is needed and your school continues to operate in accordance with the federal regulations governing SEVP, you will receive a Notice of Recertification.

Petition Updates

Regulations require Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified institutions report any material changes to the Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student.” SEVP-certified institutions are required to keep all Form I-17 sections up to date in order to ensure the Form I-17 reflects the institution’s current operating status.

Principal designated school officials (PDSOs) at an institution with a Form I-17 that does not match the institution’s current operating status must update the petition in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) within 21 days of the change(s).

Note: Once the petition update is submitted in SEVIS, the petition is then locked for edits while pending adjudication.

SEVP recommends that designated school officials (DSOs) review the institution’s Form I-17 on a regular basis to ensure it reflects the school’s most up-to-date information.

8 CFR 214.3(g) and (h) requires that updates are made within 21 days of any changes.

The entire Form I-17 must be kept up to date; however, the following sections when updated must be adjudicated:

  • 1.1: Approval of Attendance of Students Under
  • 1.2: Name of School or School System
  • 1.3: Name of Main campus
  • 1.7: Location of school
  • 1.8: School type – remove (with name and address of owner 1.8 & 1.9)
  • 1.9: Private School Owner
  • 2.1: School is engaged in
  • 2.2: Areas of study
  • 2.3: Degrees available
  • 2.4: Courses of study and time necessary to complete
  • 3.2, 3.3 & 3.4: Accreditation and recognitions
  • 3.6: FAA Certification
  • School official additions
  • Instructional site addition
  • PDSO or DSO information

While SEVP does not adjudicate the following sections, schools are still required to keep these sections of the Form I-17 up to date:

  • 1.4: Mailing address of school
  • 1.10: [Private School] Owner’s Address
  • 3.1: Date school was established
  • 4.1: School Sessions
  • 4.2: Date Registration begins for EACH session during a calendar year
  • 4.3: Type of Sessions (Day/Night)
  • 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 & 4.7: Average annual numbers
  • 4.8: Approximate Annual Cost of Room, Board, Tuition, etc., per student
  • 4.9: Requirements for Admission
  • 5.4: [Campus] Mailing Address

With the SEVIS 6.35 Release, schools may now submit non-substantial Form I-17 edits while filing for recertification. Substantial updates such as a change of ownership or a change of location should still be submitted for adjudication prior to filing for recertification.

  • For example, a school may submit the recertification petition with a request to add a program of study to the Form I-17. SEVP will adjudicate both the school’s eligibility for recertification and approval for the new program of study at the same time. However, the school cannot enroll new students into the requested program of study until adjudication is complete and an approval is granted for the new program.

Field Representatives

Field representatives are part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and serve as direct day-to-day liaisons between SEVP and SEVP-certified schools.

The SEVP Field Representative Unit enhances national security by fostering an understanding of regulatory adherence and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data integrity.

Additionally, SEVP field representatives:

  • Ensure SEVP-certified schools understand SEVP rules and regulations.
  • Answer general questions related to the nonimmigrant student process.
  • Provide training and assistance to principal designated school officials and designated school officials.
  • Meet with schools in their territories normally a minimum of once per year.
  • Help school officials with the SEVP recertification process by conducting scheduled school visits.
  • Attend conferences and meetings in their territories that pertain to nonimmigrant students.

As a reminder, SEVP-certified schools are subject to on-site review at any time, per 8 CFR 214.3 (h)(3)(iv). Please note that these reviews are not related to the SEVP field representatives and are not part of their duties.

SEVP has now deployed four groups of field representatives for a total of 53. There are three regional groups – eastern, central and western – comprised of 20 field representatives in each region. Each field representative will spend four days each week in the field with schools and one day in their “home office.” SEVP will continue to provide updates about the field representatives on a regular basis.

Please note that there are six field representative territory vacancies in Milwaukee, WI; Norfolk, VA; Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; and Columbia, SC. If your school falls within any of these territories, please contact the SEVP Response Center for assistance with questions and concerns by calling (703) 603-3400 or emailing SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.

Information regarding hiring and deployment of these vacancies will be communicated via a SEVIS Broadcast Message.

To learn more about this program, please read these FAQs about the field representatives.

 

Emergencies

Emergency Communications

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) understands that Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools may face emergency situations ranging from natural disasters to manmade catastrophes.

SEVP follows a standard operating procedure for communicating with F and M students and SEVP-certified schools before, during and after emergency events. Specifically, during an emergency event:

  • SEVP will post Broadcast Messages with important information pertaining to the emergency events on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) message board. When appropriate, the program may also send these messages via email to impacted SEVIS users.
  • The Field Representative in the impacted areas will work to disseminate information from SEVP to the appropriate school officials.
  • The SEVP Response Center will monitor and track requests for assistance from impacted stakeholders.
  • The Study in the States website and social media accounts will push out important programmatic reminders and breaking news alerts to keep stakeholders informed.

Emergency Tips

It is important that designated school officials (DSOs) understand their role in emergency operations and keep their SEVP-certification responsibilities in mind when planning their response to campus disruptions. Specifically, we advise DSOs to:

  • Please provide an email address and/or phone number to students and SEVP – Provide an email address and toll-free phone number, if possible, for displaced students and exchange visitors to report their location and health status to you as well as receive additional instructions from you.
  • If you are unable to provide this information to students or exchange visitors – Advise F and M nonimmigrants to check SEVP's website and Study in the States for information and guidance and to contact SEVP via email (SEVP@ice.dhs.gov) or telephone [(703) 603-3400] to report their location and contact information as soon as possible. Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, except holidays.
  • Please advise F and M nonimmigrants to keep all relevant documents on their person – Advise students that in the event of an evacuation of the area, they bring with them their passport, student visa, Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” and any other supporting documents that they possess to verify their legal status.
  • Understand the critical record keeping requirements to keep in mind during emergency events. Specifically:
    • Record Keeping: 8 CFR 214.3(g).
    • Student Reporting: 8 CFR 214.3 (3)(g).
    • Online Training: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6) for F students; 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v) for M students.
    • Transfers: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(8).

Additional Resources

DHS urges all to plan for the unexpected, as emergencies can disrupt operations and affect the safety of your faculty, staff and students. However, the effects of a crisis can be lessened by planning, and a continuity of operations plan (COOP) will allow your school to continue critical operations until the crisis situation normalizes. SEVP and DHS strongly encourage schools to review the basic tenets of resiliency planning and use to the below resources to create a plan that works for your campus:

Updated:

You have been selected to participate in a brief survey about your experience today with ICE.gov.