PLEASE NOTE: The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) ended its COVID19 guidance on May 11, 2023, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health 
Emergency on May 11, 2023. As a result, all related statements, guidance and FAQs 
previously released by SEVP also terminated on May 11, 2023, and this content may 
be outdated. Learn more.

The SEVP Response Center (SRC) is experiencing a high volume of calls and emails and is working to respond as quickly as possible to stakeholder inquiries. Please see below for guidance on response times and additional resources.

• The average email response time is currently 3-5 days. Please refrain from sending duplicate/follow-up emails to help SEVP respond as quickly as possible.
• If you are waiting for an email response from the SRC, refer to www.ICE.gov/covid19 for up-to-date SEVP guidance under the ‘Nonimmigrant Students and SEVP-Certified Schools’ tab. The tab is regularly updated and is time stamped.

If you have questions related to optional practical training (OPT) employment authorization, please note that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is evaluating these issues and may issue additional guidance. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicates OPT employment authorization and status requests for F and M students and has yet to issue official guidance on these issues. SEVP continuously shares these stakeholders’ concerns with our partners at USCIS to assist them in their deliberations.

Visit www.ICE.gov/covid19 for up-to-date guidance from SEVP and additional resources.