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SEVIS Registration

Initial Registration

At the beginning of each semester, the ISS office must certify in SEVIS that all F-1 students attending the UofM have reported to campus and are meeting full-time enrollment requirements. This process is called SEVIS Registration and is a federal requirement for all US schools that host F-1 students. It is important to note that the term “registration” is different from course registration in an academic setting.

Initial registration is very important because it changes a student’s SEVIS record from Initial status to Active status. After a student is registered in SEVIS, they receive an updated I-20 that shows “Continued Attendance,” which confirms that they are an active UofM student that is maintaining F-1 visa status.

When a student’s SEVIS record changes from Initial status to Active status, they are also registered in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) system and are able to apply for a SSN (if eligible) and a Driver’s License.

These students that require Initial registration:

  • Arrived in the US as an F-1 student for the first time
  • Transferred from another US school to UofM
  • Finished one degree program at UofM and are beginning a new program
  • Changed their status from one visa category to F-1

In order for ISS to complete the initial registration, student must do the following:

  • Registered for a full course of study
  • Arrived in the US on an F-1 visa (this is the information displayed on your I-94)
  • Reported to UofM campus and attended International Orientation
  • Provided US address and phone number

What happens if a student is not registered in SEVIS?

The ISS office cannot register students in SEVIS if they are not meeting the above requirements. If a student is not registered in SEVIS within the first 30 days of each semester, their SEVIS records will be Cancelled or Terminated. As a result, the student is considered Out of the F-1 Status.

 

Continuing Registration

At the beginning of each semester, the ISS office must certify in SEVIS that all F-1 students attending the UofM have reported to campus and are meeting full-time enrollment requirements. This process is called SEVIS Registration and is a federal requirement for all US schools that host F-1 students. It is important to note that the term “registration” is different from course registration in an academic setting.

Continuing registration is required for all students that have been enrolled in at least one semester at UofM. In order for ISS to complete the continuing registration, student must do the following:

  • Registered for a full course of study
  • Inside the US, living in the Memphis area, and still reporting to and attending UofM

What happens if a student is not registered in SEVIS?

The ISS office cannot register students in SEVIS if they are not meeting the above requirements. If a student is not registered in SEVIS within the first 30 days of each semester, their SEVIS records will be Cancelled or Terminated. As a result, the student is considered Out of the F-1 Status.