The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched Study in the States to enhance national security and improve customer service tied to regulations governing international students studying in the United States.

Study in the States clearly explains the student visa process, enhances coordination among government agencies, and keeps international students and the U.S. academic community better informed about pertinent rules and regulations.  

Study in the States Website

To help support this initiative, DHS launched the Study in the States website. The website serves as a dedicated resource to help schools and programs in the United States, along with international students, navigate the international student life cycle.

Users will find important information from various federal agencies that play a role in implementing our student visa and exchange visitor programs, including:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
• DHS’ Office of Academic Engagement.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.
• Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Study in the States website provides clear, easy-to-follow language that helps all students, schools and programs understand and comply with federal regulations. Resources available on the website include:

• Step-by-step guides for schools and students.
• Simple articles and interactive content to explain federal rules and regulations.
• Information to help school officials properly report and capture information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. 

Stakeholder Feedback

As part of the Study in the States initiative, DHS also strives to increase engagement with academic leaders in the international student community. Through these interactions, DHS seeks to examine the policies and processes that affect this community and work with stakeholders to implement better solutions.

The Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC), a federal advisory committee comprised of university and academic association presidents, is one part of this engagement effort. HSAAC advises the Secretary and senior leadership at DHS on several key issues, including international students, and submits recommendations to DHS on a regular basis. Learn more about HSAAC on DHS' website.

DHS also participates in various conferences with the academic community and hosts webinars with stakeholders. Through these outlets,  the government can directly interact with school officials and students. For more information, visit the Conferences page on Study in the States.

Study in the States also welcomes feedback through various channels, including:

• Public comment periods on draft and interim final SEVP policy guidance, as well as pending regulations.
• Stakeholder satisfaction surveys.
• The SEVP Response Center.
• Social media channels.

To increase transparency, Study in the States also launched the Trends and Improvements section to help stakeholders track and monitor progress on known issues collected from the field. 

Read the Study in the States privacy policies.