SEVIS Student & Exchange Visitor Records Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A DSO receives notice that an F-1 student's SEVIS record was terminated due to 'failure to enroll.' The student was actually enrolled but there was a data entry error. What is the correct remediation path?
- Submit a reinstatement application to USCIS on the student's behalf
- Request a data fix from the SEVIS Help Desk with supporting enrollment documentation (Correct answer)
- Issue a new Form I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number
- Transfer the student's record to another institution to reset the status
Correct answer: Request a data fix from the SEVIS Help Desk with supporting enrollment documentation
When a SEVIS record is terminated due to a school error such as a data entry mistake, the DSO should contact the SEVIS Help Desk to request a data fix, providing documentation that the student was properly enrolled.
Question 2: Under SEVIS regulations, what is the maximum grace period an F-1 student is allowed after completing their degree program before they must depart the U.S. or obtain a new immigration status?
- 30 days
- 60 days (Correct answer)
- 90 days
- 120 days
Correct answer: 60 days
F-1 students have a 60-day grace period after completing their academic program (or OPT) to prepare for departure, transfer to another institution, or change status.
Question 3: Which SEVIS record field must a DSO update when an F-1 student changes their major field of study?
- Education level only
- Primary major and, if applicable, secondary major fields (Correct answer)
- Only the expected graduation date
- The student's visa category field
Correct answer: Primary major and, if applicable, secondary major fields
When an F-1 student changes their major, the DSO must update the primary major field in SEVIS and also update the secondary major if one exists.
Question 4: An exchange visitor on a J-1 Research Scholar visa wants to bring their spouse to the U.S. What form does the DSO/RO issue, and what J visa category does the dependent receive?
- Form DS-2019 with J-2 classification (Correct answer)
- Form I-20 with F-2 classification
- Form DS-2019 with J-1 classification
- Form I-539 filed directly by the dependent
Correct answer: Form DS-2019 with J-2 classification
A J-1 exchange visitor's accompanying spouse and minor children are issued a separate Form DS-2019 and are classified as J-2 dependents.
Question 5: A PDSO wants to grant another full-time staff member DSO access in SEVIS. What is the required first step in the SEVIS system?
- Submit a paper request to the local ICE/SEVP field office
- Create a new SEVIS user account for the staff member through the school's PDSO portal (Correct answer)
- Have the staff member complete the SEVIS I-17 petition independently
- Request approval from the Department of State Exchange Visitor Program
Correct answer: Create a new SEVIS user account for the staff member through the school's PDSO portal
The PDSO creates a new user account for the prospective DSO within SEVIS, which then triggers the system-generated approval workflow.
Question 6: When must a DSO report a change in an F-1 student's local U.S. address in SEVIS?
- Within 10 days of the student reporting the change to the school (Correct answer)
- Within 21 days of the student reporting the change to the school
- Within 30 days of the student reporting the change to the school
- Within 60 days of the student reporting the change to the school
Correct answer: Within 10 days of the student reporting the change to the school
Federal regulations require DSOs to update an F-1 student's U.S. address in SEVIS within 10 days of being notified of the change by the student.
Question 7: An F-1 student who has been authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) fails to register for the required course credit tied to the CPT. What is the SEVIS implication?
- The CPT authorization remains valid until the semester ends
- The CPT authorization is automatically extended 30 days
- The CPT may be considered unauthorized employment, potentially jeopardizing the student's status (Correct answer)
- The DSO must file a Form I-765 amendment
Correct answer: The CPT may be considered unauthorized employment, potentially jeopardizing the student's status
CPT is only valid when integrated into a student's academic program with accompanying course enrollment; work performed without the required enrollment credit can be deemed unauthorized employment.
SEVIS Student & Exchange Visitor Records Management 2
A DSO receives notice that an F-1 student's SEVIS record was terminated due to 'failure to enroll.' The student was actually enrolled but there was a data entry error.
What is the correct remediation path?