2014 ACCET Annual ConferenceSEVP PresentationNovember 4, 2014

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Presentation Overview• ESL Accreditation Act update• Draft guidance and regulatory updates• Pathway programs• Recertification and updates• Full course of study and student travel • Student transfer process• Past and upcoming SEVIS enhancements• Additional resources and contact information • Question and answer session with SEVP • Closing remarks from Sandy Lockwood and Lou Farrell

ESL Accreditation Act Update• ESL Programs that did not receive accreditation by

Dec. 14, 2013 will receive a Notice of Intent to Withdraw– SEVIS will maintain an ESL Program’s status until the

ACCET appeals process is exhausted– For more information, please visit

StudyintheStates.dhs.gov/accreditation-of-english-language-training-programs-act

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Draft Guidance for Comment• We Want Your Feedback

– Informs policy guidance used by SEVP adjudicators

• Draft Guidance Resources– StudyintheStates.dhs.gov/sevp-guidance-for-comment

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• Guidance: A Look Ahead– Upcoming Draft guidance

• Focus on student employment

– Upcoming Interim Final guidance• Student absence, annual vacation, timely filing

• Regulatory Updates– DSO limitations and F-2/M-2 part-time study

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Guidance and Regulatory Updates

• What is a Pathway Program? • Three Part Draft Guidance Series:

– Part One: Conditional Admission– Part Two: English Proficiency– Part Three: Pathway Programs

• Open for comment until Nov. 10, 2014

• SEVP Priorities

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Pathway Programs

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• Recertification Updates– Average processing time

• Form I-17 Updates and Processing– Currently processing Form I-17 updates from July/August

2014 timeframe

Recertification and Updates

• Except in specific circumstances, an F-1 student must enroll in a full course of study each term to maintain their status

• A DSO may authorize a reduced course load for an F-1 student under the following circumstances:– Academic difficulties– Medical conditions– Completion of a course of study

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Full Course of Study Requirements

• Specific regulations define a full course of study (see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(A)-(H))

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Type of Study (F -1 Students) Requirement

English language programs

At least 18 hours per week if primarily classroom instruction or at least 22 hours per week if primarily laboratory work

Full Course of Study Requirements

• During the student’s authorized annual vacation (usually summer)

• When school is not in session• During a leave of absence of less than five months

– Must be outside the United States– Family emergency, etc.– SEVIS record is in Terminated status until student’s

return– SEVIS record must be in Active status (needs data fix) or

Initial status for re-entry10

Student Travel

• Upon student request, the DSO starts the transfer process in SEVIS by identifying:– The transfer-in school – Transfer release date

• The DSO at the student’s new school must report the student’s arrival on campus in SEVIS to complete the transfer process

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Student Transfer

Completing a Program of Study• When a student finishes a program of study,

the SEVIS record is updated by the school official as complete

• The student has up to a 60-day grace period to:– Transfer schools and begin a new degree program– Apply for post-completion optional practical training

(OPT)– Change visa status– Depart the United States

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SEVIS Enhancements• Past Enhancements

– Features introduced in 2014

• Upcoming Enhancements– New features to be released in early 2015

• SEVIS Webinar Series– Past and upcoming webinars available at

StudyintheStates.dhs.gov/stakeholder-webinars

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• Enhanced Study in the States – New and improved features– Social media platforms

• Twitter: @StudyinStates• Facebook: Facebook.com/StudyintheStates• Blog: StudyintheStates.dhs.gov/blog

• SEVP Publications – SEVP Spotlight Newsletter (Quarterly)– SEVP Conference Bulletin (Monthly)– Email SEVPCommunications@ice.dhs.gov to subscribe!

Government Resources

• Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey– StudyintheStates.dhs.gov/stakeholder-satisfaction-survey– Feedback reviewed quarterly to generate Study in the

States and other outreach content

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SEVP Values Your Feedback

SEVP Contact Information• For case specific questions, contact the SEVP Response

Center:– 703-603-3400– SEVP@ice.dhs.gov– Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, except holidays

• For technical issues, contact the SEVIS Help Desk:– 800-892-4829 – SEVIShelpdesk@ice.dhs.gov– Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, except holidays

• Additional contact information: – StudyintheStates.dhs.gov/contact-us

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