SEVIS Immigration Regulations & Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A school is considering terminating its SEVIS certification. Which agency must approve this and what is the consequence for current F-1 students?
- USCIS approves; students maintain status for 60 days
- ICE/SEVP approves; students must transfer or leave within 60 days (Correct answer)
- DOS approves; students must leave immediately
- DHS approves; students may remain indefinitely
Correct answer: ICE/SEVP approves; students must transfer or leave within 60 days
ICE/SEVP administers school certification and termination; affected F-1 students typically receive a 60-day period to transfer to another SEVP-certified school or depart.
Question 2: Which form is used to report a J-1 exchange visitor's change in sponsor or program category?
- Form DS-2019 (Correct answer)
- Form DS-7002
- Form I-20
- Form I-539
Correct answer: Form DS-2019
A new or amended Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status) is issued to reflect changes in a J-1 visitor's program or sponsor.
Question 3: An F-1 student transfers to a new SEVP-certified school. When does the student's SEVIS record transfer to the new school?
- Immediately upon the student's request
- When the transfer release date set by the initial DSO passes (Correct answer)
- Only after the student enrolls in the new school
- After 30 days of inactivity at the old school
Correct answer: When the transfer release date set by the initial DSO passes
The SEVIS record transfers to the new school on the transfer release date established by the DSO at the initial school.
Question 4: Under what circumstance may an F-1 student be authorized to take an online course that counts toward the full-time enrollment requirement?
- Never — all courses must be in-person
- Only if the course is the student's final semester and they need only one class to complete the degree (Correct answer)
- Online courses always count the same as in-person
- Only if the student has an approved reduced course load
Correct answer: Only if the course is the student's final semester and they need only one class to complete the degree
F-1 students may count only one online or distance-learning course toward the full-time enrollment requirement, except in special circumstances like a final semester.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)?
- To issue visas to international students
- To track and monitor nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors throughout their stay (Correct answer)
- To process OPT and CPT applications
- To certify universities for international student enrollment
Correct answer: To track and monitor nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors throughout their stay
SEVIS is a web-based system maintained by DHS/ICE that tracks F, M, and J nonimmigrants from visa issuance through departure.
Question 6: A school fails its SEVP compliance review and is placed on a 'show cause' notice. What does this mean?
- The school's accreditation is automatically revoked
- The school must demonstrate it meets SEVP certification requirements or face withdrawal (Correct answer)
- All SEVIS records for the school's students are immediately terminated
- The school is barred from enrolling new international students permanently
Correct answer: The school must demonstrate it meets SEVP certification requirements or face withdrawal
A 'show cause' notice gives the school an opportunity to respond and demonstrate compliance before SEVP makes a final certification decision.
Question 7: Which DHS component is responsible for administering the SEVIS system and overseeing SEVP-certified schools?
- USCIS
- CBP
- ICE/HSI through SEVP (Correct answer)
- TSA
Correct answer: ICE/HSI through SEVP
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), through its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), administers SEVIS and certifies schools to enroll international students.
SEVIS Immigration Regulations & Compliance 3
A school is considering terminating its SEVIS certification.
Which agency must approve this and what is the consequence for current F-1 students?