SEVIS: Settled and New Issues F1

1
SEVIS Settled and New Issues (F-1)

• Presenters
• Daina Plitkins-Denning
• International Student Advisor/ SEVIS Coordinator
• Georgia State University
• Maria Lourdes (Joy) M. Ira
• Information Management/SEVIS Coordinator
• Florida State University

2
What Well Cover

• F-1 SEVIS only
• Summary from many available sources
• Resolved Issues (5.0 and others)
• Looking forward
• Outstanding Issues/ Sharing

3
Statistics
Source http//www.nafsa.org/_/Document/_/august_2
005_sevis_newsletter.pdf
4
More Stats

• Schools by visa category (as of March 2005)

Source http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/numbers/
school/visa_categories.htm
5
States Stats
Source http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/numbers/
school/schools_by_state.htm
6
School Level
Source http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/numbers/
school/education_level.htm
7
Stats on Top 20 Schools
Source http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/numbers
/school/school_enroll.htm
8
Top 20 Countries
Source http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/numbers
/student/country_of_citizenship.htm
9
Students by Area of Study
Source http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/numbers/
student/level_of_education.htm
10
Top 20 Countries by Number of Student Dependents
Source http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/numbers/
student/level_of_education.htm
11
SEVIS Fee (I-901) Statistics

• According to the SEVIS I-901 Fee CRU (Customer
  Resolution Unit), more than 582,000 I-901
  applications processed 51 Student, 49Exchange
  Visitor (10/25/2005)
• 76 filed on-line
• I-901 application rejection rate of less than 1
• 2,500 refunds processed
• 15,000 emails answered since 9/1/2004.
• For information go to www.ice.gov/sevis/i901
• Fee payment confirmation (available since May
  1st) at www.fmjfee.com/check-status.

12
SEVIS 5.0 Upgrade June 2005

• Country of Birth, Country of Citizenship, and
  Country of Legal Permanent Residence updated to
  remove some countries and add others - see
  http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/pdf/SEVISLookupT
  ables50_20050623.doc or
• http//www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/fip10-4.htm
• Some country names updated (e.g., Korea,
  Republic of ? South Korea)
• CLAIMS should update the SEVIS Student
  Information Screen with receipt s for Off-campus
  employment and COS. This is not observed to be
  true for OPTs.
• CLAIMS updates the benefit start date for COS in
  the Student Information screen.

13
SEVIS 5.0 Upgrade (2)

• New termination reason school withdrawn added,
  other reasons (6) that were for M-1s removed.
• New drop-down list to make (required) selection
  of reason when cancelling I-20.
• The warning for costs exceeds resources was
  removed, still cannot submit the I-20. Alert
  removed.
• Dependent I-20s now print with the primary when
  requesting OPT, extension, transfer I-20s.

14
SEVIS 5.0 Upgrade (3)

• We can now enter view multiple segments of RCL.
• The maximum duration is limited in SEVIS to 12
  months.
• The RCLs are editable, even after starting.
• Still possible to enter RCL start date in the
  past (!).

15
SEVIS 5.0 Upgrade (4)

• We can now indicate that it is the students last
  semester on the Registration screen. No next
  semester start date required. (more on that
  later)
• New tick box to indicate that a student has been
  in status for a year when applying for OPT. A
  statement is printed in the request on the I-20.
• Various Off-Campus Employment segments can be
  displayed, and, previous to adjudication, edited
  or cancelled.
• CPT can be cancelled before it starts.

16
2005 Liaison Call Highlights http//www.nafsa.o
rg/regulatory_information.sec/get_sevis_informatio
n/nafsa_sevis_resources

• Study abroad and research are considered part of
  academic study, so it is OK to maintain records
  active beyond the 5 months. Can count the period
  abroad towards the 1-year requirement for OPT.
  (August 2005 TSC)
• OPT is considered terminated when the transfer
  out occurs, but the previous DHS guidance (when
  student is registered) will be considered.
  (August 2005 Policy)
• If a Helpdesk Ticket is pending for a student who
  has to travel, a letter can be provided by the
  DSO/RO, citing the ticket, to facilitate travel.
  (July 2005 Technical)
• The tick-box for last session during
  Registration (July 2005 Technical)
• will not affect the start of the grace period.
• will not affect Transfer, Extension, Change of
  Program Level requests after that date, as long
  as the program end date has not passed.
• Does not replace the need to do an RCL for final
  semester.
• Can be checked again if a student does not
  graduate and needs another semester.

17
More on Liaison Calls

• Applications for COS or OPT that are approved but
  still show as pending in SEVIS should have
  datafixes requested. SEVP is working with CLAIMS
  on this. (July 2005 technical)
• The maximum period that can be requested for
  extension is still 1 year -and is not slated to
  be changed at this time. ( June 2005 Technical)
• Transfers- Clarified that enrolling in the next
  available session should be encouraged, but
  students have 5 months to enroll. (June 2005
  Policy)
• All records for Change of Status to F-1 should be
  deferred until the COS is approved using the
  Defer Attendance function. Applicants that are
  eligible to attend classes can still attend. This
  is contrary to the SEVIS user Manual. (April 2005
  Policy)
• A DSO can request that a a SEVIS violator flag
  be reviewed and removed. Email
  Toolbox.SEVIS_at_dhs.gov with the name, SEVIS ID,
  DOB and other information concerning the case.
  (April 2005)
• ICE SEVP confirmed previous guidance concerning
  approving a second RCL for the last semester
  after failing to graduate. This is permissible,
  as long as the student is making normal progress.
  (January 2005 Policy)

18
SEVP Initiatives 3rd quarter

• Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Travel FAQs
• Employment
• On-Campus
• Off-Campus
• CPT
• OPT
• Social Security and Taxes
• F-1 Transfers
• M-1 Transfers
• Recertification Rule
• Revision of I-20
• Information Technology
• Data Fix Backlog Elimination
• Release 5.1 Development
• School Certification Branch
• Preparation for Recertification
• Fee Studies

19
Recertification

• Based on draft proposed regulations has not
  left DHS looks at 2 parts
• Has school maintained eligibility as when
  initially certified (accreditations, still in
  business, licenses, etc.?
• SEVIS record-keeping (data fixes for records
  terminated because not registered initial
  records not registered duplicate records created
  unnecessarily, etc)
• Recertification Site visit, phone call, letter
• May encourage smaller schools to have more than
  one DSO looking into allowing more DSOs per
  campus
• Fees (re)certification appeal fee SEVIS fee

20
I-20 Revisions

• Changes will be made to the I-20 (page 2) which
  will take effect first quarter of 2006. SEVIS
  will be updated so new forms print automatically.
  Reviewed and revised.
• The revised document, which is pending OMB
  approval, provides a more adequate interface with
  an automated system and more comprehensive
  student instructions and information fields
  required for a systems generated document.
• (SEVIS newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 1 August
  2005)

21
Travel

• Travel on OPT (FAQs)
• Possible SEVIS violator Secondary inspection
• flags removed by CEU
• Data fixes and travel (can request only within
  the 30 days prior to reentry rather than
  departure)
• US VISIT and ADIS (Arrival-Departure Information
  System)

22
SEVIS Helpdesk

• Tier 1 can resolve simple datafixes only, their
  backlog is down to about 1 week.
• Their staff has increased by 4 this year.
• Cancel Transfer datafixes led to problems (no
  status), so they are now updating these records
  through a program, not individually
• They note some discrepancy between USCIS guidance
  and what DSOs say the NAFSA manual advises. They
  would like access to a manual.
• Surveys sent out with HD calls as a quality
  monitoring /training tool.
• Team Leaders are frequently on calls, often
  unannounced.

23
SEVIS 5.1 is coming (maybe early Dec.)

• Alerts
• Out of status alert only for those terminated
  because COS was denied, only for 30 days, called
  Students terminated due to change of status
  denied.
• Students within 45 days of being terminated.
• Students within 45 days of being cancelled.
• Students past Program Start who have COS pending
  (Initial) or I-20 issue reason Initial
  Attendance- Change of Status Requested.
• CLAIMS Info
• The COS information for students who change FROM
  F-1 status will be viewable once the COS has been
  approved.
• The COS information for students who change TO
  F-1 status will be viewable whether pending,
  approved, denied, or withdrawn.

24
Looking Forward to SEVIS 5.1

• F-2s
• Ability to search for dependent records.
• Remarks entered for Add Dependent, Update
  Dependent, and Cancel Dependent actions will
  display and print.
• The following maintenance job will be turned on
  (?)
• Initial records issued for COS will be Cancelled
  60 days after the program start date has passed-
  if the COS is Pending.
• Initial records issued for COS will be Terminated
  60 days after the program start date has passed-
  if the COS is Approved.

25
Are you ready(SEVIS 5.1)

• Ability to Correct records!! (in some cases)
• Under an option called Corrections on the
  PDSOs student information screen, it will be
  possible
• for the PDSO to transfer a Transfer-in record
  which is in Initial status
• for the PDSO to return a record to Initial from
  Cancelled status for 15 days after it is
  Cancelled.
• for the PDSO to return a record to Initial from
  Active status for 15 days after it is made
  Active, if there are no requests (except COS).
• for the PDSO to extend an I-20 within 15 days
  after the original end date.
• for the PDSO or DSO to change a record from
  Cancelled or Completed to Terminated.

26
Stop Bugging Me!

• OPT still Pending when OPT has been approved
  data fix
• CLAIMS terminations
• OPT cancelled is treated as pending/active OPT
  and record remains active
• Transfer Out cannot be cancelled prior to release
  date
• Cannot defer transfer even if well within 5
  months
• POE still not 100 (ADIS)
• COS to what? SEVIS 5.0 allows us to see change
  of status request but not for what status or
  dates
• Students Out-of-Status Alert
• Off-campus employment not printing
• SEVIS not validating if costs exceed funds

27
Other Issues

• COS Pending printed on I-20s even for those in
  Active Status
• Extensions still only for a year
• Editing and canceling OPT
• Must release record for transfer Help Desk
• Benefit start date noted in SEVIS for a COS
  approval is sometimes the receipt date rather
  than the effective date.  For example, H1-B's
  benefit approval date was August but on the
  Approval Notice, the H1 was not effective until
  October.

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Share Your Information

• Any other bugs/glitches in SEVIS?

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Other issues

• OPT termination when a student transfers is OPT
  terminated when transfer out occurs or at start
  date/registration USCIS or SEVP?
• How to know when recertification fee needs to be
  paid?
• Katrina question records still in initial
  status, start date in fall, student arrives for
  Spring term need guidance
• B-2 Prospective student visa holder denied
  entry to US
• Confirm whether PDSO will get email alert or if
  alert will appear in SEVIS
• I-20 revisions for DSO info to not print on
  page 3 of Initial I-20 POE demands travel
  signature for Initial I-20
• Recertification timeline, cost, game plan,
  communicated to school/EV (for budget planning,
  etc.)
• Site visit concerns professionalism of
  contractors
• Updates and searching more efficient record
  keeping can we go to a list, work on a record
  and go back to the same list?
• Separate into adverse or non-adverse terminations
• Transfer-ins in draft mode can we transfer back
  or cancel?
• Other reason for reprinting I-20 (eg when
  dependent record did not print out
• Does SEVP have regulatory authority to require a
  program or school to transfer an F or J?

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• www.internationalcenter.fsu.edu/sevis/NAFSA

31
Training and Education

• SEVIS Online http//www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/sch
  ools/index.htm
• DSO training
• Outreach from SEVP website http//www.ice.gov/gr
  aphics/sevis/
• (tele)conferences and newsletters -on NAFSA site
  at
• http//www.nafsa.org/regulatory_information.sec/ge
  t_sevis_information
• NAFSA conferences, website www.nafsa.org

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How to Get Your Issues Resolved

• SEVIS.toolbox_at_dhs.gov
• NAFSA IssueNet
• http//www.nafsa.org/regulatory_information.sec/ge
  t_help_with_your_issue/issuenet
• SEVIS HELP Desk - 1-800-892-4829 or email
  SEVIShelpdesk_at_dhs.gov
• SEVIS Fee (I-901) issues 785-330-1048 or email
  fmjfee.sevis_at_dhs.gov

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Thank you!
34
Contact us

• Maria Lourdes (Joy) M. Ira
• Florida State University
• International Center
• [phone]
• Daina Plitkins
• Georgia State University
• International Student Scholar Services
• [phone]
• dainap_at_gsu.edu