The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) annual verification period runs from Dec. 2, 2018, to March 2, 2019. During this 90-day period, all principal designated school officials (PDSOs) and responsible officers (ROs) must verify annually that every PDSO, designated school official (DSO), RO, and alternate responsible officer (ARO) who has SEVIS access:
- Is still employed by the organization.
- Continues to be a selected PDSO, DSO, RO or ARO.
- Requires continued access to SEVIS.
Below are common questions about annual verification, as well as helpful resources for completing the verification process.
Can DSOs complete annual verification?
No, only PDSOs can verify school officials. If your school does not have a PDSO, or your PDSO will not be available during the verification period, please begin the process of selecting another individual to act in their place. For further instructions, refer to:
Can a PDSO at any campus complete annual verification?
Yes, if a school has multiple campuses with different PDSOs, any PDSO can verify all of the school’s P/DSOs at all of the school’s campuses. For more information, please refer to the PSDO/DSO Annual Verification page on the SEVIS Help Hub.
Can I still complete annual verification if I have a pending recertification petition or updates?
Yes, you must complete annual verification every year even if you have a pending recertification or Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” update. PDSOs can still complete the verification process while the school’s Form I-17 is locked for recertification. For more information on specific Form I-17 questions, please refer to the SEVIS Annual Verification Of School And Sponsor Users FAQ page on the SEVIS Help Hub.
It is important to remember that even if one campus remains unverified at the end of the annual verification period, the entire school and all officials will be locked out of SEVIS on March 3. If your school has multiple PDSOs, you may want to assign verification to one particular PDSO for all campuses, or you may assign each PDSO responsibility for their respective campus.
For additional questions, contact your assigned Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) field representative or the SEVP Response Center.
