All Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are required to have principal designated school officials (PDSOs) and designated school officials (DSOs). Schools must initially put information on each PDSO and DSO candidate on their Form I-17, 'Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,' and then make updates whenever information or employees change.

SEVP has published a new fact sheet, DSO Update Process, to help schools through this process of updating their information. Use the fact sheet to find out when to submit evidence, how to submit PDSOs in various circumstances and more. Following the processes outlined in the fact sheet will lead to faster processing and adjudication times. For example, if you know what evidence to submit when the PDSO is no longer employed by the school, your chances for receiving a request for evidence are reduced. View the DSO Update Process fact sheet on ICE.gov.