Welcome to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Spotlight, a quarterly newsletter for the academic community that includes important program news, seasonal reminders, and updates relevant to the international student life cycle. As of July 2020, SEVP Spotlight consists of an update from the SEVP director.

Director's Corner

SEVP: Prepare for Summer with SEVP

Happy spring! With this new season comes preparations for the end of the school year. Thank you for your hard work so far in 2024 – it’s been an exciting year so far at the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP). As we approach the end of the school year, I wanted to take the time to share a few resources and reminders to help you and your students wrap up the semester successfully.

First, I would like to resurface our recent practical training resource roundup for students interested in applying for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT). Study in the States also hosts a STEM OPT Hub with additional resources. For students interested in other types of practical training, direct them to our Applying for Practical Training page for overviews, application steps, and timelines for M-1 practical training, F-1 curricular practical training, F-1 optional practical training, and STEM OPT. Finally, please review and share information with your students on recognizing the signs of a potentially fraudulent employer to ensure a safe and positive employment or practical training experience.

As the semester comes to a close, please also be mindful of your students’ program end dates (PEDs) listed on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Please ensure your students’ PEDs are correct and remind your students that they must request an extension before their current PED has passed. For more information, you can refer to these reminders about program end dates. If your students are planning international travel this summer, you can also share these travel resources with them ahead of the break to help ensure a smooth reentry into the United States.

So far this year, DHS has announced Special Student Relief (SSR) for students from Venezuela and Burma and extended SRR for students from Syria. You can stay up-to date on active SSR notices on the Study in the States website and SEVP’s Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn channels.

Finally, I want to thank you all for your hard work and dedication so far this year. I hope you have a fantastic end to the semester!

Respectfully,

Rachel Canty