Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Director Lou Farrell discussed the upcoming changes to the initial school certification and Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” update processes in the September SEVP Spotlight.

On Oct. 1, 2016, school officials filing an initial petition or submitting an update to an existing Form I-17 must electronically submit their school’s evidence by scanning the documents and emailing them to SEVP’s School Certification Branch. The recertification process will not be affected by these changes because school officials are already required to submit evidence when filing for recertification.

In the newsletter, Director Farrell explains that submitting evidence along with a request at the same time in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System will eventually help to expedite the SEVP certification process, allowing adjudicators to review certification requests more efficiently.

To make sure that you know what evidence your school needs and how to submit evidence to SEVP, read Director Farrell’s summary in the September SEVP Spotlight. Also be sure to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Operating Instructions page for more information about the Form I-17 updates.