Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS):

Many of you have learned through the media and on your campuses that the United States government has mandated that an internet-based system be implemented to enable schools and the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service) to exchange information on the immigration and academic status of international students, scholars and their dependents, nation-wide. This program, called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is also used by the US government to track the arrivals and departures of international exchange visitors, as well as continued enrollment, academic training, on campus employment and other important related activities. As a result of this new system, IIE will begin issuing SEVIS DS-2019 forms (formerly IAP-66).

By August 1, 2003, through our normal administrative processing of grant renewals and visa sponsorship extensions, IIE will provide you and each of your dependents with a SEVIS DS-2019 form.

If you will be leaving the US before August 1, 2003 and will not return to the U.S., we will not be providing a SEVIS DS-2019 for you. You will not need this form as you will not be returning to the U.S.

If you will be traveling outside of the United States before August 1, 2003 and you will apply for a new visa to re-enter the United States please notify your IIE representative immediately. You will need a SEVIS DS-2019 in order to obtain a new visa. This also applies to any J-2 Dependents with you in the United States who need to travel before August 1, 2003 and who will need to apply for a new J-2 visa.

If you will be traveling outside of the United States before August 1, 2003 and you do not need a new J-1 visa stamp, then make sure that your current pink, DS-2019 or IAP-66 form has been validated for travel. You should follow routine travel procedures as in the past. If you have any questions, please consult your IIE representative before departure.

We are now also required to keep data on J-2 spouses and J-2 children in the SEVIS database and issue separate DS-2019's for each dependent. If you have any J-2 dependent family members with you in the United States and you have not informed IIE of this fact please do so immediately. You will need to complete and submit to your IIE representative a J-2 Dependent Data Sheet.