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PDSOs: Keep Your Form I-17 Updated


November 8, 2016

If you are a principal designated school official (PDSO) at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school, you must update your school’s Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” within 21 days of any material changes.

This includes ensuring your school’s current accreditation status is accurately reflected in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVP does not require accreditation for all programs, but your school must provide specific evidence if it is not accredited or does not meet certain regulatory criteria.

For more information about the evidence schools must submit in these circumstances, please refer to SEVP’s interim draft guidance, Evidentiary Requirements for Schools Not Meeting Eligibility Criteria in 8 CFR 214.3(b) and (c).

One important requirement to keep in mind, however, is that all English as a Second Language (ESL) schools and programs must be accredited to enroll F and M international students. ESL programs that are not accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education are not eligible for SEVP certification.

Finally, please remember that when you update your school's Form I-17, you must now also electronically submit the minimum evidence required for adjudication at the same time you submit updates in SEVIS. If your school fails to submit the minimum evidence required, SEVP may cancel your update request.

Do you have questions about updating certification information on your school’s Form I-17? Visit ICE.gov/SEVP for evidentiary requirement guides and the SEVIS Help Hub for instructions on navigating the Form I-17 in SEVIS. 

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