SEVP Publishes Guidance on OPT Employment and Student’s Major Area of Study
On Sept. 30, 2019, SEVP published new policy guidance titled, “Practical Training: Determining a Direct Relationship Between Employment and a Student’s Major Area of Study.”
The newly published guidance explains that students who are authorized to engage in optional practical training (OPT) are responsible for providing a description of how their job duties relate to their major area of study, which their designated school official (DSO) must review and retain in the student’s file.
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Meet SEVP’s Newest Field Representative
In December, SEVP deployed a new field representative in Territory 18, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Field representatives serve as liaisons between SEVP and SEVP-certified schools. Learn more about the newest member of the Field Representative Unit below.
Jessica Hall:
Jessica Hall is the field representative for the North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska territory. She previously served as the assistant director for the office of global engagement and principal designated school official at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Jessica has experience in a variety of international education, including study abroad, employment-based immigration, programming and English language programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in both English and history. She received her master’s degree in English education, with a focus in English as a second language, from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
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The SEVP External Training Application is Here!
In November, SEVP launched the SEVP External Training Application (SETA), an online learning management tool for current and prospective school and sponsor officials.
SETA courses primarily cover the rules and regulations governing SEVP and the Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program. SETA is a part of SEVP’s broader effort to ensure compliance among all public Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) users.
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DSOs: What to Know about SEVP Portal Release 1.10
The SEVP Portal recently upgraded to Release 1.10, which changes how long students can access the SEVP Portal after their OPT authorization ends. Students will now only be able to access their SEVP Portal account for six months after the end of their OPT authorization.
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K-12 BEST PRACTICES
Public K-12 Schools Can Enroll both F and J Students
The kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) international student population is the fastest growing user group in SEVIS.This section of SEVP Spotlight helps K-12 schools understand how to comply with federal regulations and navigate the international student life cycle.
An SEVP-certified public high school (grades nine through 12) can enroll both F-1 international students and also enroll exchange visitors through a U.S. Department of State-designated Secondary School Student Exchange Program. To learn more about the rules and regulations for public schools seeking to host international students, read the Questions from DSOs: Can My Public School Enroll F and J International Students blog on Study in the States. Check out the Public & Private K-12 Schools: Know the Difference infographic for details on how public and private schools differ in hosting international students.
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Remember to Register your Students in SEVIS
As a K-12 DSO, you can help your students maintain status by making sure to register your new and continuing international students in SEVIS at least twice during an academic year. As January marks the beginning of a new school session, be sure to register international students in Initial and Active status in SEVIS within 30 days of the start of the school session.
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