|
|
 |
Immigration
SEVIS Scholar Requirements
WHAT IS SEVIS?
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that requires all colleges and universities in the US to report electronically to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) information about F-1 students and J-1 students and visiting scholars beginning January 30, 2003.
TRAVEL
Effective immediately, if you will be traveling outside the US and returning after August 1, 2003, you must come to OIP (Office of International Programs, 483 Polsky) to request a new SEVIS DS-2019 travel document. If you have dependents, each one must now have his or her own SEVIS DS-2019 in order to get a visa and/or enter the US.
If you already possess a SEVIS DS-2019, you must come to OIP for a travel signature for reentry.
If you choose to apply for a US visa in Canada and are denied, you will not be readmitted to the US under Automatic Revalidation. You will need to travel DIRECTLY to your home country to obtain a new visa in order to reenter the US.
NOTE: Please do not request a new SEVIS DS-2019 if you will not be traveling until summer. The OIP will issue a SEVIS DS-2019 to all scholars and each of their dependents prior to August 1st, 2003.
US ADDRESS REPORTING REQUIREMENT
Scholars must notify OIP within 10 days of an address change. This can be done by sending an email to Rebecca Schrager. Please note that scholars MAY NOT use a PO Box for their address. SEVIS requires a street address that is the current address where the scholar and his or her dependents physically reside.
J-1 SCHOLAR INCIDENTAL STUDY
J-1 scholar programs are for the primary purpose of teaching, research, and observation. Scholars may enroll in classes incidental to their primary program objective.
Scholars who decide to pursue a degree program must formally apply to the University and obtain the necessary immigration documentation to apply for a change of status to F-1 student with INS. Scholars with a two-year home residency requirement must depart the US, obtain a new visa, and reenter as an F-1 or J-1 student.
J-2 DEPENDENT STUDY
Currently, there is no prohibition to full-time or part-time study toward a degree for J-2 dependents. However, it is expected that this will change in the near future because this provision regarding J-2 status was clearly an omission from the proposed regulations issued by the Department of State.
Therefore, dependents who are eligible to change their status to F-1 student inside the US should do that now. Individuals with J-2 status, who are subject to the J-1 two-year home residency requirement, should plan to leave the US, obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa, and reenter prior to the fall quarter.
EXTENSION OF DS-2019 AND MAXIMUM PERIOD OF STAY
Scholars must obtain an extension of their DS-2019 PRIOR to the program end date noted on their current DS-2019 by coming to OIP during regular walk-in hours. Scholars who do not obtain a new DS-2019 prior to the program end date violate their status.
GRACE PERIODS
After the end-date on Form DS-2019, a scholar has a 30-day grace period following completion of their program to 1) depart the US, 2) transfer to another institution, if eligible, or 3) change status, if eligible.
TRANSFERS
Scholars must notify OIP prior to leaving UA for another institution. Scholars will not be able to receive a DS-2019 from the new institution unless the following steps are completed:
- Notify OIP of your intent to transfer and provide the name of the new institution to which you intend to transfer, along with that programs Exchange Visitor Program number;
- OIP will update your record in SEVIS as a ¡°transfer out¡± and indicate the name of the institution to which you intend to transfer, along with a release date and exchange visitor program number. The release date is usually the date of expected transfer but before the expiration of the current DS-2019;
- You may request that OIP cancel the ¡°transfer out¡± at any time prior to the release date;
- As of the release date, the new institution will have full access to your SEVIS record and assumes responsibility for you, at which time the new institution will issue you a SEVIS Form DS-2019;
- Scholar must contact the OIP at the new institution within 15 days of the start date listed on the DS-2019 to avoid violating their status; and
- The new institution will verify the scholar¡¯s participation in its program and update the scholar¡¯s address with SEVIS within 30 days of the effective date of transfer, thereby acknowledging that the scholar has completed the transfer process.
REINSTATEMENT
Scholars may request OIP to submit an electronic request for reinstatement to DOS through SEVIS. OIP prints a copy of the reinstatement request from SEVIS (draft copy of DS-2019). OIP must submit the initial request along with the required supporting documentation justifying the reinstatement and the required, non-refundable fee (paid by scholar), to The Dept. of State (DOS) within 30 calendar days after the SEVIS submission date. Under no circumstances is reinstatement possible after 270 days. If approved, DOS will enter the approval in SEVIS, and OIE will then print the new DS-2019 and notify the scholar via email that it is ready for pick-up.
Exchange visitors and their dependents that fail to timely report a change of address (see above) are not eligible for reinstatement.
Scholars who need reinstatement must arrange an appointment with a staff member of in the OIP.
|
|
|
