SEVIS Reporting

If you are transferring to Rivier from another institution, your advisor can guide you through the process of securing your SEVIS I-20.

A designated school official from the Office of Global Engagement issues SEVIS Form I-20. It is used to obtain an F-1 student visa from a United States Consulate or Embassy and as a travel document. You must carry this form with you whenever you travel outside the United States. Be sure you keep the information on your SEVIS Form I-20 updated. The expiration of the SEVIS Form I-20 is your program end date or course of study completion date.

All new international students are required to complete the following:

  • Acknowledgement of F-1 regulations. Must be completed after an international student orientation. Signing the form confirms that you understand all the F-1 regulations that will help you remain in compliance and stay in legal non-immigrant status.
  • F-1 Emergency Contact. You must provide record of a contact in your home country.
  • SEVIS Registration Form. You must complete these form each semester and return to the Office of Global Engagement. All students including those who are on OPT and OPT STEM must complete the form a week before each semester begins. The form must be accompanied by a proof of registration, insurance, and copy of the Office of Student Accounts receipt of fees payment.

SEVIS Transfer Process

To transfer your SEVIS record from another institution to Rivier University, you must complete the Transfer Release form to obtain SEVIS I-20 from Rivier. The form must be completed and sent to your current school along with the acceptance letter from Rivier to facilitate the process. We are unable to issue a SEVIS I-20 if you have not properly complied with the F-1 regulations.

  • International Student Admissions. As soon as you are admitted by Rivier, send a copy of your acceptance letter and the SEVIS Transfer Release Form to your current advisor.
  • Complete the SEVIS transfer release form. We cannot issue you an I-20 until your current school has completed the Transfer Verification Form and released your record in SEVIS to Rivier. The form will be sent to you as soon as you are officially accepted by Rivier. Please work with your current school to properly complete the form and ensure electronic transfer of your SEVIS record.
  • Consult your advisor. We recommend that you discuss the transfer process with your advisor at your current institution. Be sure to discuss any interim travel or work plans, as they may affect the transfer procedure.
  • Request an update of your visa. If you are still in your home country and have decided to transfer to Rivier, it is strongly recommended that you go back to the United States Embassy that issued your initial F-1 visa to request an update of your visa annotation to Rivier University. This case is applicable if you have been admitted to Rivier and have received an I-20 from us.

Changes Requiring SEVIS Notification

Report the following changes to your advisor to ensure accurate updates of the SEVIS Form I-20 record and proper advising:

  • Report change of address within ten days of the change
  • Report change of education level as soon as possible
  • Report change of major as soon as possible
  • Report any plan to reduce course load. F-1 students are expected to maintain full-time status. Emergency situations must have prior authorization and supporting documentation.

SEVIS Fee

F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time fee of $200 to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). The following students are required to pay the SEVIS fee:

  • 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 when transferring schools, changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical training. If you are in status when you travel internationally and are not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.

The fee must be paid at least three business days prior to applying for your visa, or applying for admission at a U.S. port-of-entry for those exempt from the visa requirement. The fee must be paid prior to submission of a change of status petition or reinstatement application.

The fee can be paid to the Department of Homeland Security by mail or online and must be accompanied by a Form I-901. It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the U.S. For Form I-901 and more information on payment methods, please visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/.