The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) participates in virtual events throughout the year to better support the academic community. Recently, SEVP adjudicators joined NAFSA: Association of International Educators’ members for a webinar to answer stakeholder questions about the SEVP recertification process and making updates to a school’s Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student.”

More than 500 school officials live-streamed the NAFSA Government Connection event on Wednesday, Aug. 12. During the webinar, SEVP adjudicators gave insight into the long processing times some schools face when attempting to update their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System school records.

SEVP explained that though some updates may take as little as two months to process, schools should be prepared for longer wait times. Therefore, it is essential that school officials make updates to the Form I-17 as changes occur. Waiting to update a Form I-17 could have adverse effects during a school’s recertification.

Read the latest edition of the SEVP Spotlight to learn how SEVP Director Lou Farrell plans to address school-related issues, such as long processing times, and how the program will address feedback received at the NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo. You can also visit the Study in the States Conferences and Outreach page for more insight on SEVP’s stakeholder outreach. 

Help us inform other school officials by sharing this post with your colleagues on social media using the hashtag #StudyintheStates.