As a U.S. government system, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) must conform to the federal government’s security procedures. Every user who accesses SEVIS must follow these procedures. SEVIS User identifications (IDs) are assigned to each user. Each user must keep their user ID secure and create a good, strong password. 

This page contains information on:

• SEVIS password standards
• Changing a password from the SEVIS header
• Resetting a password from the SEVIS Log In page 
• Principal designated school official’s (PDSO) password reset request for a designated school official (DSO), who has not logged in to SEVIS in 45 days.

SEVIS Passwords must contain:

• A minimum of 12 characters.
• A maximum of 64 characters.

Use the Change Password function in SEVIS, if your password has been compromised or if you want to change it voluntarily.

To change a password voluntarily:

1. Log into SEVIS. The SEVIS header displays on the SEVIS Message Board page or any other page.

2. Click Change Password. The Change My Password page opens. 

3. Complete all three fields: 

4. Click Change Password to submit the change. You are returned to the SEVIS Sign In page. A Change password confirmation message appears on the page.

The SEVIS Log In page contains a link that may be used to request a password reset. Use the Forgot Your Password function, if you are an active user in SEVIS and:

• You forgot your password.
• Your SEVIS account is locked due to three unsuccessful login attempts.
• Your password was compromised, and the Change Password function cannot be used.
• You want to change your password without logging in to SEVIS.

To reset your own SEVIS password:

1. Open the SEVIS Log In page. 

2. Click the Forgot Your Password link. The Request Password Reset page opens. 

3. Select your User Type, based on whether you work with F/M students or J exchange visitors.

4. Enter your user ID in the SEVIS User Name field. 

5. Click Submit. SEVIS does one of the following:

• The Request Password Reset message confirms your request is being processed. SEVIS will email instructions for creating a new password.

• The Validation Error displays, User is inactive due to 45 days of inactivity. Contact your PDSO or RO to request a password reset.

6. Locate and open the email message from SEVIS. It contains the link necessary to reset your password. 

7. Click the link to reset your password. The Change Password page opens. 

8.  Enter information into the three required fields.

9. Click Change Password or Cancel:

• Change Password: Submits the change. SEVIS displays the Change Password Confirmation message, which indicates the password was changed successfully.

• Cancel: Returns the user to the SEVIS Log In page.

10. Click OK. The SEVIS Log In page opens. Use your new password to log into SEVIS.

PDSOs can request a password reset for DSOs who have not logged in to SEVIS in 45 days.

As a PDSO, to request a password reset for a DSO:

1. Go to the School Information page

2. Click the Request Password Reset for DSOs link on the left side of the page. The School Official Information page displays. 

3. Click the Request Password Reset link for the person who needs a password reset. The link is in the Command column. The Request Password Reset page opens.

4. Click Request Password Reset. The School Official Information page re-opens. 

5. SEVIS will:

• Send the DSO an email with a link to create a new SEVIS password.

• Send an email to each PDSO for all the school/campuses to which the DSO is associated. The email includes:

  • Name of the SEVIS user whose password was reset.

  • Message Text: 

    • This is to advise you that a password reset request has been submitted for the user named above. This request was submitted because the user has not logged into SEVIS in 45 days or longer.” 

    • The user will receive an email with a link to a secure site that will allow him/her to reset their password and regain access to the system. 

    • If the user is no longer associated with your school or program, you need to remove the user from your list of officials.