Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS COMPLETING THEIR PROGRAM OF STUDY:

Important Info for F-1 Students Graduating or Completing a Degree in Fall 2007 Congratulations on your coming graduation! As an international student in F-1 status, you have several options as you come to the end of your academic program at FSU. If you are graduating this semester, or if you are completing all degree requirements and will require no further enrollment for the next semester, you have the following choices:

(Note: All necessary forms can be found on F-1 Forms page.)

  1. Apply For OPT. If you intend to work in the United States after graduation, now is the time to apply for employment authorization. Please remember it takes USCIS approximately 2-3 month to process your request for employment authorization.

    OPT Deadline: We recommend that you turn in your request for OPT to the International Center by November 29, 2007. If your application is submitted to the IC after this date we cannot guarantee that this will allow our office enough time to enter the return your application to you for mailing to immigration before the program completion deadline. Your OPT Application must arrive at USCIS before the semester completion date December 20, 2007 OR your I-20 ending date - whichever comes first. Remember, you will need to gather documents and copies as well as ask your academic advisor to sign a form. If you wait too long to do so, you may not be able to contact your adviser before the semester ends. You must also attend a mandatory OPT. Please register online for an OPT Workshop.

  2. Apply For An Extension. If you are not able to graduate as expected and your I-20 expires this semester, you must apply for an extension of your I-20 as soon as possible.

    Extension Deadline: before your I-20 expires. You will not be eligible for an extension after your I-20 expires.

  3. Request A Transfer. If you are transferring to another U.S. school after your graduation, we will need to transfer your SEVIS record to that school.

    Transfer Deadline: SEVIS transfers must be completed within 60 days after your completion date of December 20, 2007 (OR the end date of your I-20) whichever comes first. You have 5 months after you complete your program at FSU to start classes at your new school.

  4. Obtain A Readmission I-20. If, after graduation, you are continuing at FSU in another degree program or at another degree level, you will need a new I-20. Please submit the Certification of Financial Responsibility (CFR) form and supporting financial documents to the IC.

    Readmission Deadline: You must be issued a new I-20 no later than 60 days after your program completion date of December 20, 2007 OR I-20 expiration, whichever comes first.

SEVIS was created so that educational institutions can collect and report certain biographic and program information to the Department of Homeland Security within certain timeframes as mandated by federal law. In order to ensure that our reporting is timely and accurate, please use this new mandatory form which is designed to help you inform us of any requested updates to your program (degree or major), enrollment, academic progress, updates on dependents, and other SEVIS-reportable events. The form gives the IC staff notification about the following requests or updates:

  1. Social Security number change from 899/999 to real SS#
  2. Change of nonimmigrant status
  3. Change of legal name
  4. Change of department or major
  5. Readmission or Change of degree level
  6. Funding change
  7. Departure from FSU and return to home country (before or after graduation)
  8. Request for leave of absence from FSU and from the U.S.
  9. Notification of intent to withdraw from FSU
  10. Transfer to another educational institution Permanent departure of dependent from the U.S.
  11. Change of nonimmigrant status of dependent
Note that requests for dependents, application for Practical Training (Optional and Curricular for F1 or Academic for J1 students), and requests for I-20 or DS-2019 extensions are not included in the SEVIS Update form and are done separately. Also, we have a separate form for reporting a Change of Address (see instructions below).

FULL COURSE OF STUDY:

» Definition of Full Course of Study for Immigration Purposes

Still have questions?  Get the FAQs on a Full Course of Study/Reduced Course Load.

There may be some exceptions to these definitions in very specific cases. For instance, department policies may supercede these guidelines. Always consult an IC adviser.

Please do not make any changes to your enrollment during the semester without first consulting with an IC adviser. Do not drop, withdraw from or cancel your classes without an IC adviser's consent or you will fall out of status and will have to leave the country immediately.

INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER:

SEVIS FAQs:  SEVIS Frequently Asked Questions: What are the new regulations and what do you need to do to comply with them and stay in legal nonimmigrant status?

Mailing List:  The IC-immigration mailing list was created as means to communicate with FSU international students (F1 and J1 visa) any immigration-related updates and news in a timely manner. It will not be used for any other purpose. This mailing list is one-way. Only the IC staff can post and send email. If you need advise, please email the front desk or email your IC adviser directly. To subscribe to this mailing list, you must first obtain a FSU garnet email address. We will accept other addresses only if you have graduated and are currently approved for or expect to be approved for Practical Training.

» Click here for the Change Of Address Form:   Federal regulations require all international students and scholars to report a change of address to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) within 10 days of the change of address. Now that all FSU international students and scholars have SEVIS records, this reporting requirement can be met simply by completing and submitting the IC Change of Address form. University rules also require you to report a change of address to the Registrar's Office. To summarize, here is what you need to do:

  1. Update your Address on the Registrar's Students First web site
  2. Fill out and electronically submit the IC Change of Address Form. You DO NOT need to fill out and send Form AR-11.
Special Registration: Students from countries that fall under Special Registration NO LONGER have to fill out and send to the DHS Form AR-11SR.

» Instructions for Filling out Form AR-11

SEVIS PowerPoint presentation for F1 and J1 Students:  What SEVIS is, how it works, what needs to be reported and how it affects you. (prepared by the International Center)

SEVIS PowerPoint presentation for J1 Exchange Visitors (research scholars, faculty, postdoctoral employees) This explains what SEVIS is, discusses SEVIS reporting requirements and regulations pertaining to J1 EVs.

INS Regulations -- A Checklist for Maintaining Legal Non-Immigrant F/J visa Status:  A matrix of New Regulations, IC Procedures and Forms, and Information for Departments


INS AND DOS REGULATIONS AND SEVIS RESOURCES:

F-1 Regulations:  Retention and Reporting of Information for F, J, and M Non-immigrants; Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS); Final Rule (as posted on the INS web site on December 11, 2002)
( View text version )

J-1 Regulations:  Exchange Visitor Program: SEVIS Regulations (This is the interim final rule as posted by the US Dept. of State on December 12, 2002. The final rule is still pending revisions.)
( View text version )

The Department of State web site: Provides information on the J Exchange Visitor Program

Final INS F SEVIS RUle: Compiled and Annotated (from NAFSA) This compilation shows how the INS final rule alters the current regulations. (Current information. Posted on the NAFSA web site on January 22, 2003.)

All forms are available in alternative format upon request.


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