SEVIS Program Sponsors & Designated School Official (DSO) Responsibilities 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym PDSO stand for in the context of SEVIS?
- Primary Designated School Official (Correct answer)
- Program Director and School Officer
- Principal DSO Supervisor and Overseer
- Provisional Designated Student Official
Correct answer: Primary Designated School Official
PDSO stands for Primary Designated School Official, the lead DSO at an SEVP-certified school who holds ultimate responsibility for SEVIS compliance.
Question 2: How many DSOs (including the PDSO) may a SEVP-certified school have in SEVIS at one time?
- Only 1 PDSO and 1 DSO
- 1 PDSO and up to 9 DSOs
- 1 PDSO and an unlimited number of DSOs (Correct answer)
- Up to 5 DSOs total including the PDSO
Correct answer: 1 PDSO and an unlimited number of DSOs
There is no regulatory limit on the number of DSOs a school may designate; one PDSO is required and the school may add as many DSOs as needed.
Question 3: Which agency certifies schools to enroll F and M nonimmigrant students in the United States?
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) (Correct answer)
- Department of Education (DOE)
- Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
Correct answer: Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
SEVP, a component of ICE/HSI, is responsible for certifying schools that wish to enroll F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant students.
Question 4: A DSO who is leaving the institution should take which action in SEVIS before departing?
- Transfer their DSO access to a colleague directly
- Submit a Form I-17 petition amendment
- Have the PDSO terminate their DSO access in SEVIS (Correct answer)
- File an I-539 on their own behalf
Correct answer: Have the PDSO terminate their DSO access in SEVIS
The PDSO must terminate the departing DSO's access in SEVIS; individual DSOs cannot remove their own access.
Question 5: What is the primary responsibility of a Responsible Officer (RO) in the context of Exchange Visitor Programs?
- Certifying transcripts for J-1 visa applicants
- Administering and ensuring compliance of the exchange visitor program in SEVIS (Correct answer)
- Issuing Form I-20 for J-1 visa holders
- Approving Optional Practical Training for exchange visitors
Correct answer: Administering and ensuring compliance of the exchange visitor program in SEVIS
The RO is the principal official of a designated exchange visitor program sponsor responsible for administering the program and maintaining SEVIS compliance.
Question 6: Which form must a PDSO use to add or remove a DSO from a school's SEVIS record?
- Form DS-2019
- Form I-539
- Form I-17 (Correct answer)
- Form I-20
Correct answer: Form I-17
Changes to a school's approved officials, including adding or removing DSOs, are made by updating the school's Form I-17 petition in SEVIS.
Question 7: Which of the following is a requirement for an individual to serve as a DSO at an SEVP-certified school?
- They must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Correct answer)
- They must hold a master's degree in international education
- They must have at least five years of immigration law experience
- They must be bonded and licensed by the state department of education
Correct answer: They must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
SEVP regulations require that DSOs be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to ensure they have a long-term stake in compliance.
SEVIS Program Sponsors & Designated School Official (DSO) Responsibilities 1
What does the acronym PDSO stand for in the context of SEVIS?