SEVIS Law and Legal Definition
SEVIS means the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The SEVIS is a web based system that maintains accurate and up to date information on non-immigrant students, exchange visitors, and their dependents. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses the system to collect, track, and monitor information regarding exchange visitors, international students and scholars who enter U.S. on F, M or J visas. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement maintain this system.
This database maintains information on international student or exchange visitor status changes, such as admission at Port of Entry, change of address, change in program of study, and other details. Additionally, the SEVIS provides system alerts, event notifications, and basic reports to the end-user schools, programs, and Immigration related field offices.
By 2003, all U.S. schools and programs that hosted international students and scholars were required to start using SEVIS. Many revisions were made to the initial version of SEVIS to meet federal reporting requirements and solve technical problems. Only the U.S. permanent residents and citizens are given access to SEVIS.
