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      April 28, 2025
      Recent H-1B Rule Extends F-1 Cap-Gap Extension

      If you are an F-1 student planning to transition to H-1B employment, recent changes to the H-1B program may directly impact you. 

      Read More >
      March 31, 2025
      Students: Review this Employment Resource Roundup
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      March 11, 2025
      Spring Break Travel Reminders for International Students
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Trends and Improvements

The Trends and Improvements section of Study in the States is the central repository for tracking and monitoring the government’s progress on feedback received from the international student community.

This section aims to increase transparency by providing the most up-to-date information about the government’s response to stakeholders’ feedback. Within this section, we categorize each piece of feedback into four topic areas:

  • School Certification: Topics relate to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) School Certification Life Cycle and Form I-17, "Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student," updates.
  • Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS): Topics relate to SEVIS functionality and enhancements.
  • Policy: Topics relate to clarifying SEVP's interpretation of federal regulations and guidance for school and student compliance.
  • Customer Service and Outreach: Topics relate to improving the government's direct interaction with stakeholders via the SEVP field representatives, SEVP Response Center, Study in the States and other outreach platforms.

Each piece of feedback includes a description of the concern, the government’s response and any action taken to address the concern, along with any related content available on Study in the States, ICE.gov/SEVP or other government websites.

We will update the Trends and Improvements section regularly to reflect progress made on identified issues and to include any new feedback the government receives. To explore this section, you can filter the below feedback by the categories listed above.

Recently Updated

Reduced Course Load

Policy

Last updated: Wed, 01/29/2025 - 11:41

Stakeholders note that reduced course load regulations should recognize the additional professionals that consult with students about health-related issues, allow for long-term conditions and…
  • Read more about Reduced Course Load

Pathway Programs

Policy

Last updated: Tue, 01/07/2025 - 11:34

SEVP stakeholders continue to express interest in further clarification from SEVP on guidance for pathway programs.
  • Read more about Pathway Programs

I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment

SEVIS

Last updated: Fri, 03/17/2023 - 14:47

After the development of a user-friendly FMJfee.com that allows international students to pay their I-901 SEVIS Fee online, stakeholders shared feedback on the length of the processing time to…
  • Read more about I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment

F-2 / M-2 Part-time Study Guidance

Policy

Last updated: Mon, 09/12/2022 - 09:45

After the regulatory change, “Adjustments to Limitations on Designated School Official Assignment and Part-time Study by F-2 and M-2 Nonimmigrants,” stakeholders requested more specific guidance on…
  • Read more about F-2 / M-2 Part-time Study Guidance

Form I-983 Guidance

Policy

Last updated: Fri, 04/23/2021 - 12:00

Stakeholders request more guidance about the responsibilities designated school officials (DSOs) have in reviewing and approving of the Form I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.”…
  • Read more about Form I-983 Guidance

Interagency Coordination

Customer Service and Outreach

Last updated: Mon, 10/26/2020 - 16:02

Stakeholders requested that SEVP take the lead on engaging with partner agencies to ensure a more consistent interpretation and application of federal regulation concerning the international student…
  • Read more about Interagency Coordination

Form I-17 Process Improvements

School Certification

Last updated: Mon, 06/08/2020 - 16:03

Stakeholders requested that SEVP improve and provide greater transparency about the life cycle of the Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student.”…
  • Read more about Form I-17 Process Improvements

Student Reporting Responsibilities

SEVIS

Last updated: Tue, 05/12/2020 - 10:21

International students must notify their school’s designated school official (DSO) within 10 days of any changes to their personal or employment information. The DSO must then enter this information…
  • Read more about Student Reporting Responsibilities

Adaptive Policies for Nontraditional Programs

Policy

Last updated: Tue, 05/12/2020 - 10:15

As the trend toward nontraditional, dynamic educational programs continues, stakeholders recognize the need to address the innovative shifts to the way programs are structured in higher education.…
  • Read more about Adaptive Policies for Nontraditional Programs

Processing Time for PDSO and DSO Form I-17 Updates

School Certification

Last updated: Tue, 05/12/2020 - 10:10

Stakeholders note that long processing delays for Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by a Nonimmigrant Student,” updates can affect a school’s ability to properly function and…
  • Read more about Processing Time for PDSO and DSO Form I-17 Updates

Field Representative Knowledge and Utilization

Customer Service and Outreach

Last updated: Tue, 05/12/2020 - 09:25

Stakeholders note areas of improvement for SEVP field representatives, specifically requesting a more strategic approach to visiting SEVP-certified schools and more consistent training across the…
  • Read more about Field Representative Knowledge and Utilization

SEVIS Outages and Batch Communications

SEVIS

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 17:35

Stakeholders request that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provide more advanced notice for planned Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) outages and other events…
  • Read more about SEVIS Outages and Batch Communications
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