SEVIS Reporting Requirements & Audit Preparation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following data elements on a student's SEVIS record is considered a 'reportable event' requiring DSO action within 21 days?
- Student's preferred name change
- Student's U.S. residential address change (Correct answer)
- Student's email address update
- Student's emergency contact information update
Correct answer: Student's U.S. residential address change
A change in the student's U.S. residential address is a reportable event that must be updated in SEVIS within 21 days.
Question 2: An F-1 student on OPT fails to report a change of employer to the DSO. What is the potential consequence for the student?
- A fine of $250 per unreported employer
- Loss of OPT authorization and potential status violation (Correct answer)
- Automatic conversion to M-1 visa status
- Required return to full-time enrollment
Correct answer: Loss of OPT authorization and potential status violation
Failure to report employer changes during OPT can result in loss of OPT authorization and a finding that the student violated their status.
Question 3: During a SEVIS audit preparation review, a DSO finds 15 records marked 'Active' for students who graduated two semesters ago. What should the DSO do?
- Leave the records active since the students are alumni
- Terminate the records with reason 'Completed Program' and back-date to the actual completion date (Correct answer)
- Request SEVP to mass-delete the records
- Transfer the records to an alumni SEVIS category
Correct answer: Terminate the records with reason 'Completed Program' and back-date to the actual completion date
SEVIS records for completed students must be terminated with the 'Completed Program' reason, ideally reflecting the actual program end date.
Question 4: What is the role of the SEVIS Help Desk in the context of DSO reporting obligations?
- It processes all student visa applications on behalf of DSOs
- It provides technical support for SEVIS system issues that prevent DSOs from meeting reporting deadlines (Correct answer)
- It conducts random audits of institution SEVIS records
- It approves all DSO-initiated SEVIS terminations
Correct answer: It provides technical support for SEVIS system issues that prevent DSOs from meeting reporting deadlines
The SEVIS Help Desk assists DSOs with technical problems in the SEVIS system and can document issues that may explain reporting delays.
Question 5: An institution's I-17 petition lists three campuses. A new campus opens. What must the institution do before enrolling F-1 students at the new campus?
- Notify the local ICE field office within 30 days
- Submit a petition update to add the new campus to the I-17 and receive SEVP approval (Correct answer)
- Send a campus notification letter to all current students
- Designate a campus-specific DSO and begin enrollment immediately
Correct answer: Submit a petition update to add the new campus to the I-17 and receive SEVP approval
Adding a new campus to SEVP certification requires an approved petition update to the I-17 before international students can be enrolled there.
Question 6: A DSO is preparing documentation for a SEVP site visit. Which type of record is MOST important to have organized and readily accessible?
- Faculty syllabi for all courses offered
- Individual student files containing I-20s, passport copies, and enrollment verification (Correct answer)
- Institutional financial statements for the past decade
- Marketing materials used to recruit international students
Correct answer: Individual student files containing I-20s, passport copies, and enrollment verification
Student-level records including I-20s, identity documents, and enrollment verification are the primary focus of SEVP compliance reviews.
Question 7: What happens to an F-1 student's SEVIS record if the institution loses its SEVP certification?
- The records are transferred automatically to a designated backup institution
- Students are notified and must transfer to a SEVP-certified school or depart the U.S. (Correct answer)
- The records remain active for one year while the institution appeals
- ICE assumes control of the records and issues new I-20s
Correct answer: Students are notified and must transfer to a SEVP-certified school or depart the U.S.
When an institution loses SEVP certification, affected students must transfer to a certified institution or depart the U.S. to maintain lawful status.
SEVIS Reporting Requirements & Audit Preparation 4
Which of the following data elements on a student's SEVIS record is considered a 'reportable event' requiring DSO action within 21 days?