■ UHManoa SEVIS FAQ

Q: What is SEVIS and how does SEVIS work?

A: SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a new and complex database controlled by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). SEVIS is designed to collect information from schools, INS ports of entry, and even (later) the US State Department relating to foreign students and scholars. SEVIS tracks and monitors the programs of F-1, M-1 and J-1 international students and scholars and their dependents. Because UHM has a large population of international students, the "Batch SEVIS" reporting system will be used. This means that the university will send data on multiple students to SEVIS in large files, probably once a day. Small schools will primarily send individual student's data to SEVIS one by one, on "Real Time Interface" (RTI).

Q: What information does SEVIS track and monitor?

A: Schools must report to SEVIS all of the information found on an I-20 form (F-1) or DS2019/IAP66 form (J-1), including biodata, study program, funding information, certification for travel abroad, and information on accompanying F-2 or J-2 spouses or children. (Under SEVIS, each dependent will have his or her own visa form.)

Additionally, SEVIS requires that every semester schools must report students enrolled full-time and those that are not enrolled full-time. A student registering for a reduced course load (RCL) must receive advance permission from the ISS, and the ISS must report the reason for RCL from a short list of acceptable reasons, and also report the return to full-time load in a subsequent academic session. Additionally, all students who were expected to register but who did not register must be reported.

SEVIS requires schools to report when a student completes a program, is teminated or withdraws from a program, transfers in and out of the University, or receives a program extension.

SEVIS requires schools to report off-campus employment permissions authorized or recommended.

SEVIS requires reporting of any academic or disciplinary action taken due to a criminal conviction.

Finally, for all enrolled international students, SEVIS requires a permanent home address abroad and a current residence address. The current residence address MAY NOT be a post office box; it must be a street address.

Q: When will SEVIS be implemented at UH Manoa?

All schools enrolling international students must be certified in SEVIS by January 30, 2003. At UHM, we anticipate a mid to late January start date.

Q: What is UH Manoa doing to get ready for SEVIS?

A: SEVIS will have a dramatic impact on the business processes of several offices in the UH campus community. Members of the ISS, the admission offices, the registrar's office and others across the campus have been working together to develop an effective and timely technology-based SEVIS compliance system. SEVIS implementation requires use of entirely new technologies and procedures and therefore collaboration with and support from the information technology office is critical. SEVIS users will need training. Although there are sure to be both electronic and human system "glitches" in the first weeks and months, we will try to make the transition as smooth as possible and we believe that many changes will be invisible to the international student.

Q: What are some changes that students will notice in SEVIS?

A: One change beginning about January 30 is that I-20s produced in SEVIS will look a little different than the "old" I-20s. The new SEVIS I-20 has an unusual bar code on the upper right of the form. This is a security and information feature.

Another change you may notice soon is that the UHM's SEVIS compliance system will provide automatic alerts which should help you maintain your status. These email alerts will remind you of certain actions you need to take within a certain timeframe, or to warn you that an action you already took endangers your student status.

For Spring 2003, International students new to the UHM campus will have their registration temporarily blocked by the ISS. To clear the block, or "hold" a student must check in with the ISS to confirm their arrival on campus and have their visa status verified. The new student check-in period will begin at ISS on December 4, 2002 and continue through the registration period. From January 2-10, 2003, the ISS will give priority from 8:30 a.m to 4:15 p.m. daily for new student check-in. Please note that new student registration begins January 7, classes begin January 13, and the last day to register and pay is January 27, 2003.

Q: Will students need a new I-20 for SEVIS?

A: Yes, but not immediately for most students. We anticipate using the "old" I-20 form for all continuing and new students traveling to the US prior to the spring 2003 semester, since students will arrive and classes will start before the national SEVIS implementation date. However, after January 30, all I-20s issued will be SEVIS I-20s. During the spring 2003 semester, we will gradually replace ALL "old" I-20s with SEVIS I-20s, completing this task prior to the summer break.

Q: Will student visa regulations change under SEVIS?

A: Yes! Actually, the regulations are going to change soon, and are not necessarily dependent on the national SEVIS implementation date. However, SEVIS will be obligated to incorporate any new regulations. We anticipate new versions of both F and J regulations. Proposed F-1 regulations were distributed to schools months ago. J-1 proposed or final regulations are in production. We will inform you by email when these regulations are finalized, and new regulatory information will be added as needed to this website.

Please note that we anticipate that both the new F and J regulations will, in general, be stricter than the current regulations. Thus, it will be very important to understand and follow the regulations so that you do not lose your status.

Q: What if I do lose my status under SEVIS?

A: Students who lose status may currently apply for reinstatement with the INS (F-1) or State Department (J-1) and will continue to have this option under SEVIS. However, there will be very few students who will qualify for the new and stricter standards for reinstatement as described in the proposed regulations. International educators agree that losing student status under SEVIS should be avoided if at all possible, since the consequences may be very severe.

Q: What are the main reasons that students lose student status?

A: The two most important keys to maintaining student status are to enroll full time and to work only incidental to study and with specific employment authorization. Thus, the two major ways that students lose status are 1) enrolling in less than a full-time course load without valid reason and/or advance permission, and 2) unauthorized employment.

Other ways to fall out of status include remaining in the US past the time you are authorized to stay, and attending school full-time while having a visa status that does not allow for full-time study.

Q: How can I be sure that I am in status?

A: The International Student Advisers (ISAs) can provide you with information that will help you understand options and choose actions to maintain your status. If you have any doubt about the rules and regulations with respect to your personal, study and employment plans, make an appointment with an ISA. Do not depend on academic faculty and departmental advisers to assist you with visa questions, as they do not have expertise in this area; nor are they authorized to speak on behalf of the university with respect to visas and related legal issues.

Q: How can continuing students prepare for SEVIS/new regulations?

A: Communication: The ISS has attempted to subscribe all enrolled international students in the ISS email list. The ISS emails/website postings will be the primary source of reliable, factual and timely information about SEVIS and about university policy relating to visa issues. Thus, it will be the responsibility of students to read the information. Students are cautioned to be wary of information that comes from unofficial sources, particularly the grapevine!

Enrollment Issues: Be proactive with respect to maintaining full-time enrollment. When necessary, request permission for reduced courseload in a timely manner. Students planning to take distance education courses which do not require your attendance in a classroom in Hawaii should discuss plans with an ISA prior to registering, as proposed regulations provide specific limits.

Travel and Transfer: Make travel arrangements early and anticipate delays at consulates if your visa has expired and you will need to apply for a new visa to return to the US. New SEVIS regulations for students transferring from another US institution may also result in delays in issuance of visa eligibility forms from the university, as well as visa issuance abroad. Speak with an ISS adviser well in advance of any multi-country travel.

Document Validity and Safe-keeping: Keep all documents safe and up to date: changes in degree level, program extensions, travel validations, and applications for employment authorization must be done in a timely manner. Allow sufficient time for processing new forms at the ISS.

Q: What happens if the UHM fails to comply with SEVIS monitoring and reporting requirements?

A: All schools that wish to enroll international students in full time programs of study are required to enroll and participate in SEVIS. The INS is required by federal mandate to audit the University's compliance every two years. Poor compliance could result in the loss of the University's ability to accept and enroll international students.

This FAQ was prepared by ISS for use by the UH Manoa community. Information contained here is general in nature and should not be used as the sole source of information for making decisions that may affect your legal status in the U.S. or your behavior with respect to study, research, or employment at this university. 11/27/02