There is an increasing demand for international students at U.S. schools, and it is understandable that your Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school may consider hiring a third-party recruiter or agency to help you meet your recruitment goals. 

The use of third-party recruiters or agencies is not a requirement for SEVP certification, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security does not regulate this practice. Instead, the decision to use a third-party recruiter or agency to bring more international students to your SEVP-certified school is a business choice at your school’s discretion. 

If your SEVP-certified school wants to work with a third-party recruiter or agency, it is important that you consider the following when making your decision:

• A designated school official (DSO) listed on your school’s Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” must perform certain tasks and functions, not the recruiter. This includes reviewing all admissions documents, ensuring students meet all standards for acceptance, issuing Forms I-20,"Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," directly to students, and performing all federally-mandated recordkeeping and reporting requirements in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). A recruiter cannot perform these tasks for a DSO. Also, remember that under federal regulation, DSOs cannot be compensated for recruitment of international students
• You do not need to pay a third-party to help you navigate or fulfill your SEVP certification responsibilities, as there are many free resources already available to you. The free resources included on Study in the States and our features like the SEVIS Help Hub, school certification life cycle, the daily blog and interactive tools, as well as SEVP’s pages on ICE.gov. If you need specific assistance, you can contact SEVP directly. Also, follow Study in the States on social media to make sure you know about the latest news and updates from SEVP and its partners. 
• You do not need a third-party recruiter to verify a prospective student’s English aptitude. Your school can rely on standardized test scores to determine whether or not a prospective student meets your English language proficiency requirements, if your school has them. DSOs can also interview candidates via video chat or teleconference to verify a student’s command of the English language. 

As with any business decision, your school should investigate, consult and consider the risks, costs and benefits of working with third-party agents and recruiters. We strongly recommend you visit the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Educational Institutions and Intensive English Programs to begin your recruitment research. This U.S. government site provides market research reports, international student recruitment events, and other relevant information to ensure you and your school make the business decision that is best for your circumstance. 

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