SEVIS Information - International Students and Scholars

SEVIS, which stands for Student Exchange Visitor Information System, is an Internet-based system used to maintain accurate and current information on non-immigrant students/scholars (F, M and J) visas and their dependants. SEVIS allows schools and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to exchange data on the visa status of international students/scholars. On July 1, 2002, the INS implemented SEVIS with voluntary enrollment from schools. Participation in SEVIS has been mandatory for all universities since Jan. 30, 2003.

SEVIS is mandated by federal regulation and was designed as a government tracking system that allows various agencies of the U.S. government (overseas U.S. consulates, border patrol agents at U.S. borders and airports, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies) to see up-to-date information about international students and scholars in F, J and M visa status, their academic activities, and their accompanying family members.

SEVIS DS-2019
The broad purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is to promote international educational and cultural exchange to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Exchange programs exist in a variety of formats and permit visitors to come to this country for a wide range of activities. Oakland University’s Exchange Visitor Program provides opportunities for study, teaching, instruction, lecturing, research, training, observation, demonstrations, sharing of skills, public service, cross cultural activities or a combination of the above.

It is important that you carefully read the back of the DS-2019 form. If you are outside the United States, you should sign and date page one of your DS-2019. You should then present your DS-2019, evidence of your financial support and of your ties to your home country, your passport, the visa fee and a passport size picture of yourself to the nearest American Consulate or Embassy to obtain an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa. Canadian citizens do not need visa stamps to enter the United States, but they do have to show Form DS-2019 at the Port of Entry to obtain status as a J-1 Exchange Visitor.

If your dependents will be accompanying you, they will need J-2 visas, and you should take their passports with you to the consulate and be prepared to show proof of marriage to your spouse and proof of parenthood of each child.

>>Learn more about SEVIS and its fees for students and scholars