SEVIS is an Internet-based system that requires schools to report data on the immigration and academic status of international students, scholars, and their dependents. Information pertaining to an F-1 or J-1 student, scholar, or dependent's stay in the United States is monitored by the DHS and is made available to U.S. embassies, consulates and immigration officials in field offices and at the ports of entry to the United States.

The Way SEVIS Works

1. After admitting an international student or appointing an international scholar, the university enters data into SEVIS. If the DHS approves the university's request to issue an I-20 or DS-2019, SEVIS creates the document and sends it via the Internet to the university. The university prints and sends a bar-coded I-20 or DS-2019 form to the student, scholar, or dependent.

2. The student or scholar must pay the SEVIS fee and show proof of payment in order to apply for the visa (or enter the U.S., in the case of Canadian citizens.) The fee is $200 for F-1 students and $180 for J-1 exchange visitors, effective Oct. 27, 2008.
Instructions on fee payment are HERE.

3. The student or scholar visits the U.S. consulate abroad, and the consulate confirms through SEVIS that the I-20 or DS-2019 is a valid document. If the individual meets all requirements, the consulate issues the visa.

4. A DHS officer at the airport reports to SEVIS the student or scholar's entry into the U.S.

5. When the students or scholars arrive on campus and report to the designated office (at NYU this is the OISS), the school confirms through SEVIS the student's enrollment or the scholar's arrival.

6. The university continues to provide regular electronic reports to DHS throughout the student or scholar's affiliation with NYU.

6. Finally, SEVIS records the student or scholar's departure from the university.

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