SEVIS
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International students are an important part of the Hunter College community. We are prepared to assist International students to understand their rights, responsibilities and benefits, help them make the best of their educational and extracurricular multicultural experiences while studying at Hunter College and graduate on a timely basis. In response to the events of 9/11, The United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) implemented regulations to better monitor international students in the United States. Those regulations included an internet-based tracking system, the Student and Exchange Visitor Informarion System (SEVIS). SEVIS requires schools to regularly report to the changes in a student's academic standing, address and immigration student status. Among other things, our office must report to the ICE the following information:

1. Start date of the student's next term or session.
   
2. Student's failure to enroll.
   
3. Student's dropping below a full course of study without prior authorization by the International Student Advisor.
   
4. Any failure to maintain status or complete the program.
   
5. Change of the student's or dependents legal name or U.S. address.
   
6. Any disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the student being convicted of a crime.
   
7. Student's graduation prior to the program end date listed on the form I-20.
   
8. Within 21 days of a change of name, US address or curriculum of a school, an International Student Advisor must update SEVIS with the current information.
   
9. Within 30 days:
   
   a.The International Student Advisor (ISA) must report the failure of the student or exchange visitor to enroll or commence studies.
   
   b. Date of the international student's enrollment in an approved institution or exchange program.
   
   c. Degree program and field of study.
   
   d. Date of the termination of enrollment and the reason for termination.

A SEVIS I-20 FOR ALL F-1 STUDENTS

• all currently enrolled F-1/J-1 students
• all currently enrolled Hunter College students who apply for a student visa or for optional practical training after January 30, 2003.

All schools in the United States must register their F-1/J-1 students in the SEVIS program. This means that all F-1 and J-1 students that are presently studying at the Hunter College will need a new SEVIS I-20 and have to be entered into SEVIS.

In order to receive a SEVIS I-20 form, a student must complete a SEVIS data collection form at the Hunter College International Student Office.

If you are applying for an F-1/ J-1 (student visa) for the first time, you must also provide the school with proof of financial support.

If you already have an F-1/J-1 (student visa), we must re-certify that you are progressing satisfactorily academically and that you are maintaining your F-1/J-1 immigration status.

Your SEVIS I-20 will be created and sent electronically to United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services, so that you can receive your new immigration identification number. NOTE: Only United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services may approve your I-20 request. Your SEVIS I-20 will be part of your new student record at United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services.

30 DAYS TO REPORT TO YOUR SCHOOL AND ATTEND CLASSES
If you enter the U.S.as an F-1/J-1 student, United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services will allow you 30 days to report to your school for registration. Note: If you are already in the U.S. as an F-1/J-1 student and wish to transfer to another school, you must also complete the procedure within 30 days of the closing of school registration (for classes).

Student’s Enrollment Status& Attendance must be reported to United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services
Schools must inform United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services immediately if a student does not register for full-time classes or stops attending without permission from the International Student Adviser. So, if you have a problem that may prevent you from enrolling in a full-time program or attending classes regularly, you must speak with the International Student Adviser. Once a school reports a student, he/she will lose his/her immigration status (F-1/J-1).

Ten Days to Report a Change of Address to United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services
If you move, you must give United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services the new address. It should be done within 10 calendar days of your living at the new address. The information must be sent on a special application that is available in the International Students Office. You can also call United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services at 1-800-870-3676 to order AR-11 form. There are very serious consequences for F-1/J-1 students (and visitors) who do not follow this immigration regulation.

All F-1 Students Currently Enrolled at Hunter College must Receive a SEVIS I-20.

All F-1 Students that are presently attending classes at Hunter College must have a SEVIS I-20. If you do not have this new I-20, please come to the International Student Office, so that we can help you get one. All United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services forms may be downloaded from the United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services website: www.uscis.gov.

Please make a note of these important changes. You are strongly advised to visit the International Students’ Office AT YOUR EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.

For more information, download Sevis Fee Basics (PDF).