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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

OPT Application Window

Policy

Last updated: Thu, 05/07/2020 - 16:15

Stakeholders request a longer time period for international students to submit optional practical training (OPT) applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after issuance of…
  • Read more about OPT Application Window

Curricular Practical Training Guidance

Policy

Last updated: Thu, 05/07/2020 - 14:37

As the demand for experiential learning increases, stakeholders request clearer federal guidance to facilitate curricular practical training (CPT) in accordance with the existing regulations.
  • Read more about Curricular Practical Training Guidance
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