SEVIS Reporting Requirements & Audit Preparation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A DSO discovers an F-1 student's SEVIS record was not updated after the student changed their major 45 days ago. What is the correct course of action?
- Terminate the student's SEVIS record immediately
- Update SEVIS with the new major as soon as possible and document the delay (Correct answer)
- Wait until the next reporting cycle to update the record
- Notify ICE before making any changes
Correct answer: Update SEVIS with the new major as soon as possible and document the delay
DSOs should correct SEVIS records as soon as an error is discovered and document the circumstances of the delay.
Question 2: Under SEVIS regulations, within how many days must a DSO report that an F-1 student has failed to enroll in a required full course of study?
- 21 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 15 days
- 60 days
Correct answer: 30 days
DSOs must report an F-1 student's failure to enroll within 30 days of the start of the academic term.
Question 3: Which document is NOT typically reviewed during a SEVIS site visit or audit conducted by ICE/SEVP?
- Student financial support documentation
- DSO training records and certifications
- Institution's tax return filings (Correct answer)
- Enrollment verification records
Correct answer: Institution's tax return filings
Tax returns are not part of SEVP audits; auditors focus on student records, DSO credentials, and compliance documentation.
Question 4: An institution receives a SEVP site visit notice with 48 hours' notice. What should the DSO prioritize first?
- Contact NAFSA for guidance before responding
- Gather student files, enrollment records, and SEVIS access logs (Correct answer)
- Request a postponement from SEVP
- Brief the institution's legal team and take no further action until they advise
Correct answer: Gather student files, enrollment records, and SEVIS access logs
Immediately assembling relevant student and SEVIS records ensures the institution can demonstrate compliance during the audit.
Question 5: How long must a SEVP-certified institution retain records related to F and M students after a student's program end date?
- 1 year
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- 7 years
Correct answer: 3 years
Institutions must retain records for at least three years after the student's program end date per SEVP regulations.
Question 6: A J-1 exchange visitor's program end date has passed and the RO has not filed a SEVIS completion report. What risk does this create?
- The exchange visitor automatically receives program extension
- SEVIS may auto-terminate the record, jeopardizing the visitor's status (Correct answer)
- The sponsor institution loses its J visa sponsorship entirely
- ICE will issue a removal order within 10 days
Correct answer: SEVIS may auto-terminate the record, jeopardizing the visitor's status
Failure to complete a SEVIS record on time can trigger an automatic termination, placing the exchange visitor out of status.
Question 7: During an audit, SEVP reviewers find that a PDSO has not updated SEVIS records for 12 students who took a reduced course load without approval. What is the most likely consequence?
- A warning letter with no further action
- Potential loss of SEVP certification or required corrective action plan (Correct answer)
- Automatic termination of all 12 student records by ICE
- Mandatory retraining of all DSOs at the institution
Correct answer: Potential loss of SEVP certification or required corrective action plan
Systematic non-compliance identified during an audit can lead to loss of SEVP certification or a mandatory corrective action plan.
SEVIS Reporting Requirements & Audit Preparation 2
A DSO discovers an F-1 student's SEVIS record was not updated after the student changed their major 45 days ago.
What is the correct course of action?