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      May 15, 2025
      Change Education Level in SEVIS: Guidance for DSOs

      Designated school officials (DSOs) are often called upon to assist F-1 students as they progress from one academic level to another within the same institution.

      Read More >
      April 28, 2025
      Recent H-1B Rule Extends F-1 Cap-Gap Extension
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      March 31, 2025
      Students: Review this Employment Resource Roundup
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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

Secondary Postgraduate Year Programs (Grade 13)

Policy

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 17:30

Stakeholders request policy guidance or regulations that recognize recent advancements and changes in higher education. 
  • Read more about Secondary Postgraduate Year Programs (Grade 13)

Initial Student Transfer Process

Policy

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 17:29

Stakeholders note concerns regarding when a new student requests to transfer to another school or program prior to the program start date or soon after beginning a program of study.
  • Read more about Initial Student Transfer Process

F-3 Border Commuter

Policy

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 17:26

Stakeholders express concern over the lack of F-3 regulations for border-commuting students, noting that students are reportedly admitted into the United States on F-3 visas. 
  • Read more about F-3 Border Commuter

Temporary Absence Process

Policy

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 17:24

Stakeholders note the temporary absence process could be more efficient for students, schools and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The process, they explain, adversely impacts…
  • Read more about Temporary Absence Process

Guidance for Changes to Schools’ Business Structures

Policy

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 16:12

Stakeholders requested that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provide clearer guidance on how to handle changes to a school’s business structures, such as change of ownership and school…
  • Read more about Guidance for Changes to Schools’ Business Structures

SEVP Response Center Inconsistencies

Customer Service and Outreach

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 13:43

Stakeholders identified that more consistent information from the SEVP Response Center (SRC) as an area for program improvement.
  • Read more about SEVP Response Center Inconsistencies

SEVIS Modernization (June 2015 ― June 2016)

SEVIS

Last updated: Mon, 05/11/2020 - 13:41

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) users express the need for new SEVIS functionality, such as the ability to export data and search records. Taking stakeholder feedback into…
  • Read more about SEVIS Modernization (June 2015 ― June 2016)

Adding New Programs with Future Start Dates

School Certification

Last updated: Thu, 05/07/2020 - 16:23

Stakeholders note that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) denied some, but not all, Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” updates filed to…
  • Read more about Adding New Programs with Future Start Dates
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