Student and Exchange Visitor Program NAFSA Regional Conference Region XII October 11, 2005

2 *** NEWS FLASH *** CONGRATULATIONS! THE DATA FIX BACKLOG FOR F/M TICKETS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED! Effective September 30, 2005 – we met our goal! There are no F/M data fix tickets older than 90 days By October 31, 2005 – SEVP expects to have no F/M tickets older than July 1, 2005 and August 1, 2005 for J tickets Ultimate goal – no data fix tickets older than 10 days

3 Data Fix Backlog Elimination Plan Since its implementation, SEVP has resolved and closed all F/M backlogged tickets over 90 days. SEVP and DoS continue to concentrate efforts on the elimination of J backlog tickets. Data fix tickets backlog on April 1, 2005 = 6022 Cumulative totals of F/M/J data fix tickets resolved from April 1 to September 30: –Resolved/closed backlog F/M Tickets = 5254 –Resolved/closed current F/M Tickets = 4236 –Resolved/closed backlog J Tickets = 2090 –Resolved/closed current J Tickets = 581

4 0%.394% Ratio of Students/EVs to open backlog data fixes

5 Upcoming SEVIS Releases Release 5.1 – Scheduled for December 2005 implementation. Will contain functionality for users to correct some errors to prevent data fix requests. Release 5.2 – tentatively scheduled for 2 nd quarter of FY2006. This is a system security release to ensure SEVIS is maintained according to mandatory DHS standards. Release 5.3 – system maintenance release (no user impact) Release 5.4 – tentatively scheduled for early Fall This release will include additional SEVIS Alerts and Lists, as well as functionality to support the latest professor and J scholar program regulations.

6 Recertification Border Security Act of 2002 requires recertification of all SEVIS-certified schools every two years. After the proposed rule is published, the public will have an opportunity to comment. Schools will have ample time to submit recertification petition. Schools will maintain authority to issue the Form I-20 during the review period as long as the petition/fee are filed in accordance with the rule. Recertification includes a review of school performance within SEVIS over the previous two years – recordkeeping, data fixes, advertising, etc.

7 Policy Update Regulatory review and issuance Policy Initiatives –Short-term study guidelines –F3, M3 Border Commuter Students Current SEVIS Operating Instructions –SEVIS I-901 Fee –Travel –School Certification –Employment –Hurricane Katrina/Rita

8 Planned SEVIS Operating Instructions Employment : OPT and CPT Social Security and Tax Information Updated Travel How to Stay in Status Transfers

9 FY 2005 I-901 Fee Statistics Credit card / debit card via Internet Check or money order mailed to lockbox Western Union QuickPay Bulk filers Check fee payment online 545,000 payments- – 51% students –49 % EVs

10 Case Resolution Unit (CRU) Contact at Major duties - Preventive – Resolves application errors to process maximum number of applications –Requests are generally processed within 7-10 days of receipt. –Refunds are much quicker than credit card company chargeback –Resolves other problems via or telephone

11 Outreach/Training Efforts Web-based SEVIS training deployed on August 22, 2005 Newsletter online at Opened international dialogue through DOS Identifying and interacting with new stakeholders Monthly policy and IT conference calls Attend more than 40 conferences per year Continue to regularly update our web page … Bookmark for current information

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13 Hurricane Katrina/Rita SEVP immediately responded by using SEVIS to identify 36 impacted certified schools and 3,000 students Within 24 hours of Hurricane Katrina, SEVP began to work with impacted students and schools to assist in transferring students to other certified schools SEVP created emergency evacuation tips for schools and students Long Term Response: Develop contingency plan and guidance to schools for their own contingency planning.

14 Lessons Learned We learned that we can rely on you- if we can reach you. –Take the time to review your point of contact information. –Update as necessary. –Consider using two DSOs.

15 For Hurricane Related Issues Call the toll free line at or Call , prompt 0 or - Please use the subject line to describe the issue

16 Contact Information I-901 questions: Check the web or SEVP at or call the hotline at (Country code 011) Student questions: Contact the P/DSO listed on the I-20 EV questions: Contact the RO/ARO listed on the DS-2019 Technical questions: Call the SEVIS HelpDesk at between 8 AM and 8 PM, EST or Urgent, technical issues: School Certification questions: or call or fax at

17 Contact Us If you have a comment or question not covered in the previous topic areas: –Use the subject line to describe the issue

Thank You Your comments and suggestions are the key to continued improvement of SEVP service to the SEVIS community.