KMD YADAVDid you know that Harvard University can no longer enroll foreign students due to the termination of their student and exchange visitor program certification?
This shocking development has left approximately 6,700 international students—over 27% of Harvard’s student body—facing the difficult choice of transferring or losing their legal status. As a result, understanding how to maintain your SEVP status has never been more critical for international students studying in the United States.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security, is the backbone of international education in America. It requires schools to track and report crucial information through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), including your enrollment status, academic progress, and even disciplinary records.
In fact, the consequences of non-compliance can be severe. Harvard’s situation demonstrates how quickly things can change—with crime rates increasing by 55% from 2022 to 2023 and reports of discrimination affecting almost 60% of Jewish students, the university’s ability to host international students was revoked.
Therefore, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you understand your responsibilities, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your academic journey in the US remains smooth and uninterrupted. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about maintaining your SEVP status.
Understand the SEVP and SEVIS System
Image Source: Study in the States – Homeland Security
To maintain your status as an international student in the United States, understanding the systems that monitor your compliance is essential. Let me break down these critical components for you.
What is the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program serves as the bridge between various government organizations with interest in monitoring international students. Operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security, SEVP collects, maintains, and analyzes information to ensure only legitimate foreign students gain entry to the United States.
Additionally, SEVP certifies academic institutions to accept nonimmigrant students and ensures these schools follow federal regulations. The program works closely with partner agencies including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of State.
How SEVIS tracks your visa status
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the technological backbone of SEVP. This web-based system maintains comprehensive records of:
- SEVP-certified schools
- F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant students and their dependents
- Exchange visitor program sponsors
- J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents
Throughout your academic journey, SEVIS tracks critical information including your enrollment status, address changes, program participation, and employment. Your Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) must update your SEVIS record with any changes to your academic program, major, address, employment authorizations, or anticipated graduation date.
Furthermore, before applying for your student visa, you must pay the SEVIS fee—currently $200 for F-1 students and $180 for J-1 students. This fee is separate from the visa application fee charged by U.S. embassies or consulates.
Types of visas covered: F-1, J-1, M-1
SEVP oversees three primary nonimmigrant visa categories:
F-1 Visa: Designed for students pursuing full-time academic degrees or programs at colleges, universities, or academic institutions. This visa remains valid for the duration of your academic program and permits certain types of on-campus and off-campus employment.
J-1 Visa: Primarily for participants in short-term academic exchanges and cultural programs, including Fulbright scholars and research students.
M-1 Visa: Created specifically for students enrolled in non-academic or vocational studies such as technical courses, flight schools, or culinary programs. This visa is typically valid for one year, though extensions up to three years are possible.
Key Responsibilities for Students
Image Source: Research.com
Maintaining legal status as an international student requires vigilant attention to specific responsibilities established by the Department of Homeland Security. Failing to meet these obligations can result in serious consequences, including potential termination of your SEVIS record.
Maintain full-time enrollment
Your primary obligation as an international student is maintaining a full course load. For F-1 undergraduates, this means enrolling in at least 12 credit hours per term. Graduate students must follow their institution’s definition of full-time enrollment, generally 9 credits. M-1 students at vocational schools must take at least 18 clock hours weekly if primarily classroom-based, or 22 hours if mostly laboratory work.
Notably, only under specific circumstances can you enroll in fewer courses. F-1 students may request a reduced course load for initial academic difficulties, temporary illness, or during their final term. However, M-1 students can only reduce their course load for medical reasons. Always consult your DSO before dropping below full-time status, as unauthorized reduction violates your visa conditions.
Report address and contact changes
International students must notify their DSO of any address or personal information changes within 10 days. This includes updates to your:
- Physical home address
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address
The SEVP Portal allows F and M students on practical training to report certain information directly to SEVP, enhancing data integrity while reducing DSO workload.
Follow employment rules (CPT, OPT, AT)
Employment violations are among the most common status infractions. F-1 students may work on-campus up to 20 hours weekly during the school term and full-time during breaks. For off-campus employment, you must obtain proper authorization through:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for degree-required internships
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) for major-related work experience
Each option has specific eligibility requirements and limitations. For instance, 12+ months of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for OPT, while F-1 students cannot accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during post-completion OPT.
Avoid unauthorized work or long absences
Working without authorization is a serious violation that can lead to immediate SEVIS termination. Similarly, remaining outside the United States for more than five months without maintaining enrollment breaks your continuous F-1 status. In such cases, you would need readmission in initial status with a new I-20 and repayment of the SEVIS fee.
What Schools Must Report to SEVP
Behind every international student’s journey stands a network of institutions with strict reporting obligations. Schools certified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program act as crucial intermediaries between students and government agencies, monitoring compliance through detailed record-keeping.
Enrollment status and academic progress
Designated School Officials (DSOs) must register students in SEVIS within 30 days of each term’s start date. Schools report whether students maintain full-time enrollment and are making satisfactory progress toward their educational objectives. If a student fails to register for the current semester or drops below a full course load without authorization, the institution must update SEVIS accordingly.
Schools also monitor academic standing—when students face academic warnings, probation, suspension, or dismissal, these statuses must be reported since they can directly impact visa eligibility. At some institutions, students with GPAs below 2.0 for three consecutive terms face academic suspension.
Disciplinary actions and criminal issues
When international students face disciplinary action resulting from criminal convictions, schools must notify SEVP. Even if a student is merely arrested rather than convicted, the academic institution may report this to federal authorities. Consequently, the State Department can revoke student visas based on arrests, criminal convictions, or conduct “inconsistent with visa classification”.
According to recent reports, visa revocations extend beyond campus activism, with over 240 universities reporting more than 1,500 students having visas revoked—many over minor alleged crimes.
Program changes and early completions
DSOs must shorten program end dates when students complete studies earlier than initially projected. Throughout a student’s academic journey, schools report major changes including:
- Completion of program requirements
- Change of major or degree level
- Legal name changes for students or dependents
Transfers and terminations
When transferring between institutions, the transfer-out school must update SEVIS to show the student is transferring, identify the transfer-in school, and set a release date. F-1 students may transfer between SEVP-certified schools at the same educational level or move between levels.
DSOs can terminate SEVIS records for various reasons, including failure to enroll, unauthorized employment, or violation of other visa conditions. Once terminated, students typically have 10 business days to either leave the country, transfer to another institution, or file for reinstatement.
Consequences of Non-Compliance and How to Avoid Them
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The stakes are high when it comes to maintaining your immigration status. Violations can trigger a cascade of consequences that affect your ability to study, work, and remain in the United States.
Loss of legal status and visa revocation
Termination of your SEVIS record means your F-1 or J-1 status has ended, your I-20 becomes invalid, and you immediately lose eligibility for on-campus employment, practical training, and other visa benefits. Unlike a grace period after program completion, there is typically no grace period following SEVIS termination—you must depart the U.S. immediately.
Indeed, the Department of Homeland Security recently expanded its criteria for terminating students’ legal status, including visa revocation as grounds for SEVIS termination. This represents a significant policy shift, as historically, visa revocation did not automatically impact nonimmigrant status.
Transfer or leave the U.S. requirements
In the event of SEVIS termination, you have two primary options:
- Depart the United States immediately
- Transfer to another SEVP-certified institution (if eligible)
For transfers with a terminated record, you must report to the transfer-in school no later than 15 days before the program start date and take a full course load, even if your reinstatement application remains pending. First and foremost, contact the DSO at your prospective school to ensure they can accept your transfer despite your terminated status.
How to use the SEVP Portal to stay updated
The SEVP Portal is an essential tool for F-1 students on post-completion OPT and M-1 students on practical training. Through this system, you can:
- Update your physical address
- Update your mailing address and phone numbers
- Update employer information
- Monitor employment authorization
Regulations require reporting changes within 10 days. Subsequently, keep your portal account secure—never share your password and report suspected unauthorized access immediately.
When to contact your DSO or RO
Above all, maintain open communication with your DSO or RO. Contact them promptly when:
- You need to update your email address (cannot be changed in the portal)
- You’re locked out of your SEVP Portal account
- You need travel authorization or a new I-20
- You plan to change your academic program or enrollment status
- You experience any immigration issues
Remember that authorized school officials are your primary resource for navigating SEVP compliance challenges.
Conclusion
Maintaining Your SEVP Status: Final Thoughts
Maintaining your SEVP status remains vital for your academic journey in the United States. As the Harvard case clearly demonstrates, even prestigious institutions face serious consequences when compliance issues arise, affecting thousands of international students.
First and foremost, remember your core responsibilities: maintain full-time enrollment, report address changes promptly, follow employment regulations, and avoid unauthorized work or extended absences. Though these requirements might seem overwhelming, they serve a clear purpose—ensuring the integrity of international education programs while providing you legitimate pathways to study in America.
Additionally, familiarize yourself with what your school reports about you. Your academic progress, enrollment status, disciplinary actions, and program changes all feed into your SEVIS record. Regular communication with your DSO proves essential, especially before making decisions that might affect your immigration status.
Last but certainly not least, take advantage of resources like the SEVP Portal to manage your information. The consequences of non-compliance—status termination, visa revocation, or forced departure—are simply too severe to risk through negligence or misunderstanding.
Most importantly, view your DSO as your ally in navigating these regulations. Their guidance helps you avoid pitfalls while making the most of your educational opportunities in the United States. With careful attention to these requirements, you can focus on what truly matters—your academic success and cultural experience during this significant chapter of your life.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key requirements for maintaining F-1 student status? To maintain F-1 status, you must pursue a full course of study at your designated school, attend classes regularly, and make normal academic progress. It’s crucial to maintain a full course load each term and consult your DSO before dropping any classes.
Q2. Is there a specific GPA requirement for F-1 visa holders? Yes, F-1 international students typically need to maintain a minimum GPA to stay in good academic standing. For undergraduates, this is usually a 2.0 GPA, while graduate students often need to maintain a 3.0 GPA. However, specific requirements may vary by institution.
Q3. How can I keep my SEVIS record active? To keep your SEVIS record active, stay enrolled full-time, communicate regularly with your school’s international office, and report any changes in your information promptly. Always consult your DSO before making changes to your academic program or visa status.
Q4. What should I do after completing my program on an F-1 visa? After program completion, you have a 60-day grace period to either depart the U.S., transfer to another school, apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), or change your visa status. It’s important to take action within this timeframe to maintain legal status.
Q5. How often do I need to update my information in the SEVP system? You should report any changes to your address, contact information, or employment details within 10 days of the change. Use the SEVP Portal to update most information, but remember to contact your DSO for changes that can’t be made through the portal, such as email address updates.
