Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students
On Nov. 6, 2023, SEVP published interpretive guidance that addresses the impact of a strike on various F-1 nonimmigrant students, including those enrolled in school and those who have graduated and are engaged in optional practical training (OPT) employment.
Termination of SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) ended its COVID-19 guidance on May 11, 2023, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023. As a result, all related statements, guidance and FAQs previously released by SEVP also terminated on May 11, 2023.
SEVP Supports DHS Burden Reduction Initiative
Through ongoing initiatives since 2016, SEVP has worked to reduce processing times for the I-901 SEVIS Fee. These efforts have focused on improving the user experience on FMJFee.com and reduced completion times to five minutes per application.
Dong, et al. v. Johnson, et al., No. 2:17-2092-ES-JSA (D.N.J. filed Mar. 30, 2017)
Plaintiffs in this class action are current and former F-1 and F-2 nonimmigrants who previously enrolled at the University of Northern New Jersey (UNNJ), an undercover school set up by the Department of Homeland Security. On November 22, 2021, the Parties reached a Preliminary Settlement Agreement. On May 3, 2022, the Court granted the Parties’ Joint Motion for Final Class Certification and Final Settlement Approval.
FAQs on New Student Visa Guidance
On Feb. 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of State provided updated guidance to stakeholders which announced that consular officers can issue a visa up to 365 days in advance of a student’s Program Start Date. Read frequently asked questions about the change and the impact on SEVP stakeholders.
DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice: Removal of Obsolete Procedures and Requirements Related to F, J and M Nonimmigrants
On Dec. 12, 2022, SEVP will publish the Interim Final Rule: Removal of Obsolete Procedures and Requirements Related to F, J and M Nonimmigrants for public inspection.
Update to 2022-23 Academic Year Guidance
Nonimmigrant students and schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) should abide by SEVP guidance originally issued in Mar. 2020 for the 2022-23 academic year.
Important Message for ACICS-Accredited Schools
On Aug. 19, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education terminated federal recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). SEVP will directly communicate with impacted SEVP-certified schools, either through a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Broadcast Message or a Request for Evidence. As these notices are issued in the coming weeks, schools are instructed to monitor their emails for SEVIS-generated messages.
New Guidance on the Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission of the Form I-20
On Nov. 1, 2021, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program published SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20. This guidance permits designated school officials to electronically sign and transmit the Form I-20 to initial and continuing international students and their dependents.
Updated Certification Expiration Date Process
Per regulation, all SEVP-certified schools must be recertified every two years. The certification expiration date (CED) is exactly two years from the date of initial certification or the date of previous recertification.
In response to the Mar. 2019 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendation for SEVP to more precisely establish a two-year recertification cycle, any school that is certified or recertified after Mar. 1, 2020, will receive their next CED notice 180 days before the two-year deadline.
New Guidance on OPT Employment and Student’s Major Area of Study
On Sep. 30, 2019, SEVP published new policy guidance titled, “Practical Training: Determining a Direct Relationship Between Employment and a Student’s Major Area of Study.”
In response to the Mar. 2019 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendation for SEVP to more precisely establish a two-year recertification cycle, any school that is certified or recertified after Mar. 1, 2020, will receive their next CED notice 180 days before the two-year deadline.
Curricular Practical Training Reminders
Download the new Curricular Practical Training Fact Sheet for reminders about the federal regulations governing curricular practical training (CPT) and answers to frequently asked questions about CPT.
New and Increased SEVP Fees
On June 24, 2019, new and increased fees for nonimmigrant students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools took effect.
School Alerts
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation. Upon this review, SEVP can exercise its authority to withdraw schools and/or terminate certain initial and active student records for noncompliance with SEVP regulations. Visit the School Alerts page for a list of schools that have been withdrawn and instructions students should follow.
SEVP Spotlight
December 2022
SEVIS by the Numbers
Posted Apr. 26, 2023
Special Student Relief
Special Student Relief (SSR) suspends certain regulatory requirements for F-1 students from countries that are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of humanitarian crises, natural disasters, armed conflict and other emergent circumstances. A U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declaration of SSR suspends restrictions related to on- and off-campus employment and alters the full course of study requirements for eligible F-1 students by permitting a reduced course load. For additional information about SSR, please refer to the Study in the States Special Student Relief page and What is Special Student Relief (SSR) infographic.
SSR is currently available to eligible F-1 students from the countries listed below. Please refer to the corresponding Federal Register notices for additional information or the SSR Frequently Asked Questions page.
Country | Date Effective | Effective Until |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan On Sep. 21, 2023, DHS announced SSR for Afghanistan. Original SSR notice | May 20, 2022 | May 20, 2025 |
Burma (Myanmar) On Mar. 22, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Burma (Myanmar). Original SSR notice | May 25, 2021 | Nov. 25, 2025 |
Cameroon On Oct. 6, 2023, DHS announced SSR for Cameroon. Original SSR notice | Jun. 7, 2022 | Jun. 7, 2025 |
Ethiopia On Apr. 12, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Ethiopia. Original SSR notice | Dec. 12, 2022 | Dec. 12, 2025 |
Haiti On Jun. 28, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Haiti. Original SSR notice | Aug. 4, 2024 | Feb. 3, 2026 |
Hong Kong On May 3, 2023, DHS announced SSR for Hong Kong. Original SSR notice | Jan. 26, 2023 | Feb. 5, 2025 |
Lebanon On Nov. 26, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Lebanon. Original SSR Notice | Jul. 26, 2024 | May 27, 2026 |
Palestinian Territories On Apr. 12, 2024, DHS announced SSR for the Palestinian Territories. | Feb. 14, 2024 | Aug. 13, 2025 |
Somalia On Jul. 19, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Somalia. Original SSR notice | Sep. 18, 2024 | Mar. 17, 2026 |
South Sudan On Sep. 5, 2023, DHS announced SSR for South Sudan. Original SSR notice | Mar. 3, 2022 | May 3, 2025 |
Sudan On Aug. 18, 2023, DHS announced SSR for Sudan. Original SSR notice | Apr. 19, 2022 | Apr. 19, 2025 |
Syria On Jan. 29, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Syria. Original SSR notice | Apr. 3, 2012 | Sept. 3, 2025 |
Ukraine On Aug. 18, 2023, DHS announced SSR for Ukraine. Original SSR notice | Apr. 19, 2022 | Apr. 19, 2025 |
Venezuela On Mar. 11, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Venezuela. Original SSR notice | Apr. 22, 2021 | Sep. 10, 2025 |
Yemen On Jul. 8, 2024, DHS announced SSR for Yemen. Original SSR notice | Sep. 4, 2024 | Mar. 3, 2026 |
Student and Exchange Visitor Response Center (SRC) Callback Assist Feature
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program Response Center has implemented a new callback feature for users to schedule a specific date and time for return calls from SRC. To learn more, read the blog post on the new feature on Study in the States.
SEVP Reminders
- Record of the most recent SEVIS updates can be found on the SEVIS Enhancements page on the SEVIS Help Hub on Study in the States.
- Guide to Studying in the States: The Guide to Studying in the States allows users to create a customized guide with information on the nonimmigrant student life cycle, specific to their visa type (F-1 or M-1) and education level (kindergarten through grade 12, post-secondary or English Language Training). Each guide contains information about preparing to enter the United States, traveling, studying, student benefits, change of status and departing the United States. Users can access the Guide to Studying in the States on the Students page and Tools page.
- Frequently Asked Questions: Study in the States launched the Frequently Asked Questions page. Users can view frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the nonimmigrant student life cycle and the SEVP-certification process. Questions are organized into categories, and users can navigate to a list of questions in a particular FAQ category by selecting one of the category anchor links at the top of the page. To view the list of FAQs, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page. (posted: Dec. 2017)
- School Appeal Status Tracker: Study in the States launched the SEVP School Appeal Status Tracker. This online tool allows SEVP-certified schools, in the appeals process, to proactively and securely check the status of their case on Study in the States. To learn more about the Appeals Process, visit the How to File an Appeal or Motion page and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Appeals and Motions on ICE.gov. (posted: Feb. 2017)
- Form I-17 Filing Evidence: SEVP instituted a requirement for schools to submit minimal evidence upon filing a Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” and any updates to the Form I-17 Petition. Please visit the Schools section of ICE.gov/SEVP for more information.
- The Trends and Improvements section on Study in the States was launched in October 2016 to make it easier for SEVP stakeholders to track and monitor the government’s progress on feedback received from the academic community. Users can access the section through the Conferences page of the Study in the States website. If stakeholders have issues they would like to include in the Trends and Improvements section, please email SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.
SEVP Data Library
When an individual enrolls at a U.S. school as an F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant student or participates in the Visa Exchange Visitor Program, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) captures certain information about that individual in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The data included on this page has been extracted from SEVIS. It provides an overview of SEVP-certified schools, as well as active nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors during a specific calendar year. This data is updated annually.
For reference, F-1 students pursue academic studies and M-1 students pursue vocational studies in the United States. J-1 exchange visitors participate in the Visa Exchange Visitor Program, which is managed by the U.S. Department of State.
A nonimmigrant student or exchange visitor is deemed active once they enter the U.S. and engage in their program of study or exchange visitor program. Their status is designated as “active” in SEVIS.
Nonimmigrant students can participate in various types of practical training related to their field of study.
- Pre-completion optional practical training (OPT) takes place prior to a student’s program end date.
- Post-completion OPT takes place after a student’s program end date.
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT for qualifying students with STEM degrees.
- Curricular practical training (CPT) takes place prior to a student’s program end date and is integral to the school’s established curriculum.
Note: To participate in OPT, an nonimmigrant student must receive employment authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
For more information about the different types of practical training available to nonimmigrant students, please read the SEVP Practical Training Overview.
For detailed requests of SEVP data, please visit the SEVP section of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Library. For information on nonimmigrant student trends, please visit the SEVIS by the Numbers report and the interactive SEVIS Data Mapping Tool on Study in the States.
More information about the Exchange Visitor Program can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.
SEVIS by the Numbers
View the latest annual SEVIS By the Numbers report, which uses SEVIS data from calendar year 2022 and compares that to data from calendar year 2023. The report includes relevant information about nonimmigrant students studying in the United States and the schools that enroll them. The report highlights where nonimmigrant students come from, what they study and where they go within the United States to study.
Visit Mapping SEVIS by the Numbers on Study in the States to explore some of the raw SEVIS data that the report uses. This information is viewable at the continent, region and country level and includes information on gender and education levels for nonimmigrant students from geographical areas across the globe. You can review the information from a global or U.S. perspective.
You can find previous SEVIS by the Numbers reports on the HSI SEVIS by the Numbers web page.
SEVIS by the Numbers Media Kits
Broadcast Messages
Note: This SEVP OPT Policy Guidance remains in effect. However, after May 10, 2016, wherever the 17-month STEM extension information within that guidance contradicts the 24-month final rule then the final rule should be followed. For more information about the new STEM OPT final rule, visit the STEM OPT Hub.