Questions from Designated School Officials is a blog series on Study in the States for designated school officials (DSOs). Each month, we will answer a question that will help you advise your F and/or M students. If you are a DSO and would like to submit a question, you can email us or ask us via social media, your Field Representative or the SEVP Response Center. We may edit questions for clarity and consistency and may not feature all submissions on Study in the States.

Question: When does a DSO update school leadership information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)?

Answer: The principal designated school official (PDSO) needs to keep the school’s Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” up to date. SEVP requires the PDSO to update information in SEVIS whenever there are any changes on the owner and any DSO (including the PDSO), as well as any changes in school information. An update must be made within 21 days the change.

If ownership of the school changes, a school’s SEVP-certification may be automatically withdrawn if the PDSO doesn’t update that information in SEVIS within 60 days of the change.

The PDSO should e-mail an updated, scanned copy of Form I-17A, Page 2, to SEVP at update.sevis@ice.dhs.gov with the signature of the PDSO, as petitioner, and any newly nominated DSOs or new owner.

Authorities:

• 8 CFR 214.3(l)(1)(ii)
• 8 CFR 214.3(g)(2)(i)