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Preparation
for SEVIS - Spring 2003
Boston University prepares for launch of Student & Exchange
Visitor Information System Tracking System (SEVIS)
This message has been prepared by the International Students and Scholars
Office (ISSO) to update the Boston University community on the Student
and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
On January 30, 2003, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service will institute an electronic reporting system to
track international students and exchange visitors in the
United States. Under the web-based SEVIS system, all U.S.
schools will be required to report specific information on
F-1 students, F-2 dependents, J-1 students, scholars, and
exchange visitors, and J-2 dependents to the Immigration
and Naturalization Service (USCIS) through secure, encrypted
Internet transmissions.
Boston University will begin using the SEVIS system on
January 30, 2003, for any new immigration documents created. The
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will then
work throughout the Spring to enter information on Boston
University's nearly 5500 continuing international students
and scholars into the tracking system and to reissue each
student in F or J status a new SEVIS immigration document.
Boston University has been aware of the development of
SEVIS since the tracking program was first mandated by the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
(IIRIRA) of 1996. In recent months, key offices across the
University have cooperated to ensure a smooth transition
to the new system. In preparation for SEVIS implementation,
Boston University has:
- Briefed Boston University faculty, staff and administrators
of SEVIS requirements
- Held forums with many administrative offices to consider
SEVIS implications to policies and procedures
- Modified and enhanced the University Information System
(UIS) to ensure that records will be retained, updated
and reported
- Purchased a commercial software package to transmit the
required information to the SEVIS system
- Trained the ISSO staff on new regulations and SEVIS procedures
The SEVIS tracking system promises to be an efficient tool
for students, exchange visitors and scholars traveling in
and out of the U.S., applying for visas, and requesting immigration
benefits for their F or J status. The new SEVIS I-20 and
DS-2019 forms will have include a two-dimensional bar code
that will allow USCIS officials at U.S. ports of entry and
Department of State (DOS) officials at U.S. consulates and
embassies to electronically check the validity of a student's
status. While this will eventually speed the process of
applying for visas and being allowed to enter the U.S., it
also significantly increases the F or J visa holder's responsibility
to maintain accurate computer records.
Electronic Reporting
Since SEVIS is a web-based system established for data collection,
it will be very important that information regarding students and
exchange visitors on record at the ISSO and in the University Information
System (UIS) be completely up-to-date. UIS will automatically send
certain information to SEVIS. Although ISSO advisors will be able
to review records before they are sent to the SEVIS system, USCIS
regulations require that certain events affecting immigration status
be reported. Failure to maintain accurate records with the University
may result in technical violations, which might have significant
consequences for the immigration status of students, scholars and
exchange visitors. Any exceptions to the regulations (such as enrolling
less then full-time, even during the student's last semester) will
need to be pre-approved by an ISSO advisor so that SEVIS does not
report the student to be in violation of status. Students, scholars
and exchange visitors should work closely with the ISSO to make
certain they comply with all F or J regulations.
Boston University will report to the government only information
required by federal law.
For F-1 students, this includes all the information listed
on the student's USCIS Form I-20: legal name, country and date of
birth, country of citizenship, USCIS admission number, major, program
of study, level of education, expected commencement of studies,
date of completion, information on F-2 dependents, and sources of
funding.
For J-1 students, scholars, and exchange visitors, USCIS
requires the reporting of all information on DOS Form DS-2019
(formerly IAP-66): legal name, city, country and date of
birth, country of citizenship, country of residence, program
sponsor, dates of program commencement and completion, information
on J-2 dependents.
The University will also be required to report information on academic,
disciplinary, or other events that affect a student or exchange
visitor's nonimmigrant status. For F-1 students, these reportable
events include, but are not limited to:
- registration/enrollment each school term
- leaves of absence, suspensions, or withdrawals from school;
- authorized and unauthorized drops below a "full course
of study", as defined by USCIS regulations;
- resumption of a "full course of study" after an authorized
drop;
- employment off campus;
- dependent information
- U.S. residential address changes
- changes in major, program of study, or expected completion
date
- transfer to a new college or to a new degree level
- periods of authorized and unauthorized employment
- termination/disruption of optional practical training
- reinstatement to status after any violations
- termination of F-1 status due to degree completion, change
of status, failure to maintain status, or other reason
For J-1 visa holders, reportable actions include, but are not
limited to: extensions, reinstatements, changes of category,
changes of status, replacement of a lost form, amendments,
corrections, change in school or sponsor, termination of studies
or termination of participation in an exchange program, or
for application for a new visa.
Additional information on the Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS) can be found at the USCIS Web site
at:
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/shared/sevis/index.htm
Timeline for issuance of SEVIS I-20 and DS-2019 forms to Boston
University Students
When the Boston University International Students and Scholars
Office (ISSO) converts immigration records from the current paper-based
reporting system to SEVIS, we will issue all current Boston University
students in F-1 status a new USCIS Form I-20, which will be a SEVIS
Form I-20, and all J-1 students, scholars and exchange visitors
a new SEVIS Form DS-2019. F-2 dependents will each be issued an
individual SEVIS Form I-20. J-2 dependents will each be issued an
individual SEVIS Form DS-2019.
Students, scholars, exchange visitors and F-2 and J-2 dependents
will need new SEVIS immigration documents after January 30,
2003, if they will be traveling outside the U.S. and will
need to apply for a new F or J visa, if there is any significant
change to the information on the current USCIS Form I-20 or
DOS Form DS-2019, or if they will experience any of the "reportable
events" as listed above. With the exception of students
who need a new document for these reasons, Boston University
will begin issuing SEVIS I-20 Forms and SEVIS DS-2019 Forms
to students, exchange visitors and scholars by school or
college later in the Spring. When the SEVIS immigration
documents for a particular school or college or ready, the
ISSO will also hold mandatory information sessions for students
in applicable programs in order to highlight regulatory changes
and to distribute the new documents in an orderly fashion.
All Boston University students in F-1 status and their
F-2 dependents will be issued SEVIS I-20 Forms and all J-1
students, scholars, exchange visitors, and J-2 dependents
will be issued SEVIS DS-2019 Forms before the mandatory deadline
of August 1, 2003. Until new SEVIS I-20 Forms and SEVIS DS-2019
Forms are issued, F and J visa holders may travel
and reenter with a current, accurate, properly endorsed non-SEVIS
immigration form that has been issued before January 30,
2003. All persons in F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 status will need
new SEVIS immigration documents to enter the U.S. on or after
August 1, 2003.
Important dates for Implementation of new USCIS Regulations and
SEVIS
- January 1, 2003 - New provisions of revised USCIS
F and J regulations become effective
- January 30, 2003 - Mandatory compliance deadline
to begin using SEVIS. Only SEVIS I-20 Forms and DS-2019
Forms may be issued on or after this date. Accurate, properly
endorsed Non-SEVIS I-20 Forms or DS-2019 Forms issued before
this date may be used until August 1, 2003, except when
a student, scholar or exchange visitor is traveling outside
of the U.S. and will apply for a new F or J visa.
- August 1, 2003 - Mandatory compliance deadline
by which all current and continuing students, scholars
and exchange visitors must be entered into the SEVIS system
and issued new SEVIS I-20 Forms or SEVIS DS-2019 Forms. Non-SEVIS
I-20 Forms and DS-2019 Forms issued before January 30,
2003 may no longer be used for any purpose.
Concluding Remarks
With the implementation of the SEVIS system, it will be
more important than ever for students, scholars, and exchange visitors
to understand and comply with the regulations pertaining to their
status and to ensure that their information in UIS is accurate and
complete. The staff of the ISSO is committed to helping nonimmigrant
students, and the broader Boston University community, understand
changing regulations, as well as to assisting students, scholars
and exchange visitors in taking advantage of certain benefits available
to them in F or J status, and to facilitating a smooth transition
to the SEVIS tracking system. As always, we are pleased to provide
nonimmigrant students, scholars and exchange visitors with information,
counseling, and assistance so that they can maintain lawful F or
J status in order to achieve their educational goals at Boston University.
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