Once you’ve made the decision to enroll international students and have gone through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification process, you must stay up to date with and adhere to SEVP’s rules and regulations.
Schools are expected to periodically and systematically report on student and school status, share records and performance, and assist students in maintaining status of their F or M Visa to maintain SEVP compliance. They must also follow the rules set forth by SEVP.
One such rule is that students may only enter the United States within the 30 days before they start at your school. This is important to keep in mind for students beginning in January, as well as at the start of the next school year.
ISM Consultant Jacqui Yamada, former Director of International Programs and Principal Designated School Official at the Rocky Hill School in Rhode Island, shares more about the “Not More Than 30 Days Prior” regulation in this Quick-Tip Podcast.
The school is responsible for ensuring compliance with SEVP rules and regulations. Don’t rely on the student or a third-party agent or advisor to know or communicate regulatory information properly.
You must assist and educate your students concerning the proper rules and regulations required to maintain status of their visas. Failure to do so could put students at risk of losing their status and your school losing its certification.
Take the time to educate your international students correctly and document all efforts to do so. This will help ensure a flourishing program for years to come.
Want to learn more about SEVP requirements? Jacqui Yamada will discuss how to report correctly within the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) during a webinar on Wednesday, October 11. Click here to join the webinar. We’re also hosting a workshop November 6-7 on International Enrollment: Maintaining SEVIS Compliance and Program Sustainability in Pasadena, CA. Learn more about the workshop here.
Additional ISM Resources:
International Program Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 1 Ok, You’ve Enrolled International Students: Now What?
International Program Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 2 Three Questions Schools With International Programs Should Be Asking Now
The Source for Private School News Vol. 16 No. 8 Helping International Students Transition
Additional ISM resources for Gold Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 42 No. 5 Your International Student Program, Part One
I&P Vol. 42 No. 5 Your International Student Program, Part Two
