This month’s SEVP Spotlight features a field representative’s best practices for Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified flight schools. SEVP-certified flight schools must follow specific rules due to the nature of their programs.

For instance, designated school officials (DSOs) at flight schools must ensure that their F and M students enroll in a full course of study, like other SEVP-certified schools. However, flight schools that enroll international students must also ensure their Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) certificates are up to date and must report any Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” updates to SEVP within 21 days. SEVP will request a copy of the FAA certificate to ensure the certificate matches a school’s Form I-17.

Read the July 2016 SEVP Spotlight for more information about compliance related specifically to flight schools. You can also read past SEVP Spotlights by visiting the Study in the States Publications page.

Editor's note: The July 2016 Spotlight was updated to more accurately reflect the J-1 program rules in the “Who Can Study” article from Counterterrorism and Criminal Exploitation Unit.