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⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Students ⇒ F-1 Students ⇒ SEVIS Overview

SEVIS Overview

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.  This internet-based system has been created in order to maintain current information on nonimmigrant students, exchange visitors, and their dependents (i.e. all those in F or J visa status).  SEVIS tracks F and J status holders from the time they receive their documents (I-20 or DS-2019, visa, etc.) until they complete their programs.  SEVIS links with colleges and universities, US embassies and consulates, US ports of entry, the Department of State, and exchange visitor programs.

How does SEVIS affect me?

All F-1 and J-1 Students and visitors have a SEVIS record with a SEVIS number.  The Office of International Services is responsible for updating your SEVIS record.  SEVIS keeps track of certain information about all students, and requires institutions (such as Indiana University) to report the following:

• Full-time enrollment
• Failure to enroll
• Notification that a J-1 visitor/student has checked in
• Dropping below a full-time course load without prior authorization from the Office of International Services
• Any other failure to maintain student status or complete program
• A change in legal name or address
• Student’s graduation prior to the expected program end date
• Start date of student’s next session
• Transfers
• Program extensions
• Off-campus employment authorization
• Any other major changes to a student’s program

We offer you the following advice:

• Undergraduate students should always be registered for at least 12 credit hours per semester.  (Rare exceptions exist—meet with an OIS advisor before dropping below 12 hours.  Click here for the Under Enrollment Form in iStart.)
• Graduate students should always be registered for at least 8 credit hours per semester, or at least 6 hours for those students with Associate Instructorships, Research Assistantships, or Graduate Assistantships.  (Rare exceptions exist—meet with an OIS advisor before dropping below these credit hour limits.)
• International students must never begin off-campus employment before obtaining proper authorization from the OIS and/or the BCIS.
• International students must always update their local address with the Office of International Services (OIS) within 10 days of moving – each time a move occurs.  See the Change of Address Requirement page for how to update your address.

Many major problems that international students encounter with their immigration statuses are related to the above areas.  Maintaining legal student status in the US has always been very important.  SEVIS makes it even more important, as it may prove difficult or impossible for out-of-status students to regain their student status within the US if their status was lost for any reason except for injury, illness, or natural disaster.  There is little room for error.  Please pay careful attention to your student status and make every effort to maintain it.  If you ever have any questions, please contact OIS by sending an email to intlserv@indiana.edu or calling 812-855-9086.

Why was SEVIS created?

Institutions have been required by law for many years to keep records on F and J students.  SEVIS was created to comply with a 1996 federal law and to automate the collection of required data.

Where can I find more information about SEVIS?

You may find additional information at the NAFSA SEVIS Information Site.  It is designed for advisors and provides highly detailed explanations of the SEVIS system.