SEVIS Help Hub illustration

SEVIS Help Hub

PDSO and DSO Role Comparison

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. SEVIS Help Hub
  3. School Records
  4. PDSO and DSO Role Comparison

PDSO and DSO Role Comparison

Last updated: March 5, 2025

This is a quick reference to identify the principal designated school official (PDSO) and designated school official (DSO) functions and responsibilities.

SEVIS Task PDSO DSO
Initiate and submit recertification application (Form I-17). X (PDSO from Main Campus Only)  
Update and save (in draft form) information for the school (Form I-17). X X
Update and save (in draft form) existing school official biographical information (Form I-17). X X
Add new school officials and assign roles (Form I-17). X  
Delete and reassign roles for existing school officials (Form I-17). X  
Add new campuses to a school (Form I-17). X  
Update campus information and delete any campus that is not the main campus; and save (in draft form) (Form I-17). X X
Formally submit all Form I-17 changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for approval (Form I-17). X  
Print the Form I-17. X X
Request password reset for all school officials. X  
Verify PDSOs/DSOs annually
(Verification period – December 2nd to March 2nd of each year).
X  
Register schools to use the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) batch interfaces. X  
Submit student and dependent data corrections to SEVIS, including:
  • Transfer out the record of a student, who has just transferred in from another school, while that record is still in Initial status.
  • Request to change a SEVIS record back to Initial status within 15 days of it changing to Canceled or Active.
  • Request a program extension within 15 days of a record expiration.
X  
Submit correction requests and data fixes for students and dependents to the SEVP Response Center (SRC), including but not limited to:
  • Correct Program Dates. 
  • Correct Student SEVIS Status.
  • Correct SEVIS Status of U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Request.
  • Correct Termination Reason.
X X
View and print reports. X X
Request Mass Form reprints and downloads. X X
Review SEVIS Alerts and take action, if necessary. X X
Draft, save and submit records for students and dependents (Form I-20). X X
Print student and dependent draft and submitted Forms I-20. X X
View all student and dependent records for their schools. X X
Update records for students and dependents (Form I-20), including: 
  • Actions:
    • Authorize To Drop Below Full Course 
    • Change Education Level 
    • Complete Program 
    • Disciplinary Action 
    • Extend Program 
    • Registration 
    • Shorten Program 
    • Terminate Student 
    • Transfer Out 
  • Edits:
    • Dependents 
    • Financial Information 
    • Personal Information 
    • Program Information 
  • Employment/Training: 
    • Curricular practical training (CPT) Employment Authorization 
    • Off-Campus Employment 
    • Optional practical training (OPT) Request 
    • Employment Information
X X

Related Tags: SEVIS

What's New

Chatbot

Try the Facebook Chatbot

Visit the tool on the Study in the States Facebook page to learn how to become an F or M international student in the United States.

Summer Employment

Learn About Summer Employment

While employed this summer, make sure you have all the relevant information on maintaining your student status, and the steps you must take before returning to school. 

Icon Guide

See the SEVIS Help Icons on the SEVIS Help Hub for a quick-reference of the icons used in this user guide.

I'm Looking For

Contact Us

Phone

SEVP Response Center

703-603-3400

Office

Monday - Friday 
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET,
except holidays

Tipline

HSI Tip Line

1-877-4-HSI-TIP

Was This Helpful?
Please provide feedback on this page.