SEVIS Reporting

A designated official from the Office of Global Engagement issues SEVIS Form I-20 for international students. This form is crucial for obtaining an F-1 student visa from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy and serves as a travel document. Always carry your SEVIS Form I-20 when traveling outside the United States and keep its information updated. The form’s expiration date corresponds to your program end date or course completion date.

New international students are required to complete the following.

1. Acknowledge F-1 regulations by signing the Statement of Understanding form after an International Student Orientation session. This confirms your understanding of regulations necessary to maintain legal non-immigrant status.
2. Provide an emergency contact in your home country.
3. Complete the SEVIS Registration Form each semester and submit it to the Office of Global Engagement. Students on OPT and OPT STEM also need to submit this form a week before each semester begins, along with proof of registration, insurance, and a receipt showing payment of fees to the Office of Student Accounts.

SEVIS Transfer Process

We warmly welcome international students, especially those transferring within the United States. The Office of Global Engagement understands the process of transferring SEVIS records to another university can be complex. We do not require transfer release forms, but our office aims to offer helpful reminders to facilitate your transition.

To transfer your SEVIS record to Rivier University from another institution, you need to complete a Transfer Release form. This form, along with an acceptance letter from Rivier, must be submitted to your current school to initiate the process. Please note, we cannot issue a SEVIS I-20 until you have fulfilled all F-1 regulations.

Upon admission by Rivier’s Admissions office, you are required to provide a copy of your acceptance letter and financial documentation to your current Designated School Official, as per regulations.

Instructions

1. Please submit the following documents in PDF format to your current college or university’s Designated School Official:
   1. Acceptance letter from Rivier University’s Admissions Office (you can obtain a copy from Admissions or the Office of Global Engagement at Rivier).
   2. Copy of your I-94.
   3. Copy of your passport and visa.
2. Email your current school’s Designated School Official or contact the International Student Services office to inform them of your intention to transfer.
   1. Please include Rivier’s SEVIS Coordinator, Hannah Dumont, and the International Student Records Coordinator, Veni Sreeja, in your correspondence. They will guide you through the next steps.
   2. A sample e-mail message reads as follows.
      1. Dear DSO, My name is                        , student ID                        . I have made the decision to transfer to Rivier University. This is a formal notification of my SEVIS Transfer Request to you. Please transfer my record on             DATE______ to Rivier University with SCHOOL CODE: BOS214F00422000. Please find attached documents, my visa, passport, acceptance letter, and I-94. I understand the right of a student to transfer out per SEVIS. Please assist me in my transfer as my courses begin soon.Regards.

         (Your Name)

Changes Requiring SEVIS Notification

Notify your DSO or SEVIS Coordinator promptly to update your SEVIS Form I-20 and receive proper advising. Please report changes by clicking here.

Report the following changes to your DSO or SEVIS Coordinator to ensure accurate updates to the SEVIS Form I-20 and that you are receiving proper advising. Please report changes any changes by clicking here.

• Change of address must be reported within 10 days.
• Notify promptly of any change in education level.
• Notify promptly of any change in major. Consult your academic advisor for guidance.
• Inform immediately of any plans to reduce your course load. F-1 students must maintain full-time status, except in emergencies with prior authorization and supporting documentation. Meet with the Designated School Official or Director of Global Engagement to discuss your need to reduce course load.

SEVIS Fee

F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must pay a one-time $350 fee to support the administration and upkeep of the SEVIS system. The fee applies to:

• Prospective students with “initial attendance” SEVIS Form I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for an “initial” F-1 visa from outside the U.S.
• Prospective students with “initial attendance” SEVIS Form I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category
• Current F-1 students in the United States filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than five months, and who are issued an I-20 issued for reinstatement that is dated on or after 9/1/2004

The SEVIS fee is not required for transferring schools, changing degree programs or levels, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa, or using F-1 program benefits like practical training. If you stay in status and do not leave the U.S. for over five months, you are exempt from the fee.

The fee must be paid at least three business days before applying for a visa or admission at a U.S. port-of-entry (for those exempt from the visa requirement), or before submitting a change of status or reinstatement application.

Payment can be made online or by mail to the Department of Homeland Security with Form I-901. It can be paid by you or a third party, inside or outside the U.S. For Form I-901 and payment details, visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/.