Immigration Services Links

SEVIS

• Highlights of SEVIS
• Special Registration Requirements for Certain Non Immigrants
• Who is Subject to the Special Registration Requirements?
• Other Non-Immigrant Changes Affecting Change of Status From B-2 to F-1
• New Visa Requirements for Canadian Landed Immigrants

Highlights of SEVIS and Other Changes in Immigration Regulations and Procedures

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System; formerly known as CIPRIS) is an initiative of the federal government to convert a paper, manual data collection and reporting system into an electronic, automated system.  That automated system was born from the 1996 Immigration Reform and Responsibility Act and has been accelerated by the events of September 11, 2001.  All currently enrolled students and all new/prospective students in F-1,
M-1, and J-1 immigration status are fully affected by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS)/SEVIS rules implemented on January 1 and January 30, 2030, respectively.  Many technical regulations concerning SEVIS implementation and use are continuously evolving so please stay tuned to official news released by CIS, the OISS Office, and mass information media.
Due to its embodied effectiveness of information processing and reporting capacity, SEVIS will benefit universities, students, and government agencies in the long run at the expense of difficulties in the short run.
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Special Registration Requirements for Certain Non-Immigrants

As a result of the USA Patriot Act passed by Congress, signed into law by the President (in the wake of September 11, 2001, terrorist acts), and modified by DHS on December 2, 2003, non-immigrants from certain countries are still subject to departure controls that require them to use only designated ports of departure when departing the U.S., but they are not longer required to report to DHS offices in between entry and departure (the so-called 30-day and annual re-registrations). The rule also provides that F, M, and J non-immigrants who report changes in address and educational institution as required through SEVIS are not required to also report those changes using Form AR-11SR (although changes to F, M, or J employment must still be reported on the AR -11SR).

The changes to Special Registration are effective immediately. [69 Fed. Reg. 67578 December 2, 2003)].  Again, this new interim rule (that modifies the original rule) is summarized below:

 - The 30-day and annual re-registration requirements for aliens subject to NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System] are suspended.  Instead of the 30-day and annual requirements, DHS will notify individual aliens of future registration requirements.
 - If you are enrolled in SEVIS, you do not have to separately report change of educational institution or change of address to DHS (it will be reported through SEVIS).
 - The former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has been abolished and its functions transferred from the Department of Justice to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Please note, this is an interim rule and the final rule may be slightly different.  The comment period ends February 2, 2004 and the final rule will come out sometime thereafter.
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Who is subject to the special registration requirements?

The nationals and citizens (including dual citizens) from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan (females and males), and males 16 years of age or older from Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait and Yemen who were last admitted to the U.S. on or before September 30, 2003, and who will remain in the U.S. for a specified period of time (visit the ISA Office for more details).  It could also apply to any non-immigrant who made unexplainable trips to Afghanistan, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.  The date required for registration depends on the country of which the individual is a national or a citizen.  It is the responsibility of each individual subject to this requirement to comply fully.

For detailed information, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars, Room 366 in he University Center building, or refer to: http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/shared/lawenfor/specialreg/index.htm (1-800-375-5283).  If you have any additional questions after reading this information, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office as listed.
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Other Non-Immigrant Changes Affecting Change of Status from B-2 to F-1

Students entering the U.S. on a B-1 or B-2 visa (visitor) cannot be admitted and start studying in an academic program while still in B status.  For further information, please make an appointment in the Office of International Students and Scholars.
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New Visa Requirements for Canadian Landed Immigrants

Canadian landed immigrants will no longer be able to enter the U.S. as freely as Canadian citizens.  Effective March 17, 2003 Canadian landed immigrants from certain designated countries will need a valid passport and visa to enter the U.S.  For a list of countries whose citizens will need visas to enter the U.S. beginning March 17, 2003, see this website: The Embassy of the United States of America Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Note, citizens of countries that were previously visa exempt but are now listed among the countries that are no longer visa exempt can still enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Pilot Project Program if they are traveling to the U.S. for business or tourism and their stay in the U.S. will be less than 90 days.  However, if they intend to enter the U.S. in any other non-immigrant classification (such as an F-1) they will have to obtain a visa.
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