SEVIS:  Student and Exchange Visitor Information System  

SEVIS is an Internet-based system that connects US CIS, U.S. Embassies/Consulates, Port-of-Entry and Border Crossings to the U.S., and all institutions enrolling international students.  The purpose of SEVIS as stated by the US CIS is to “provide tracking, monitoring, and access to accurate and current information on non-immigrant students.”

  Schools are required to keep accurate records, including name, date and place of birth, citizenship, address, major, educational level, date of commencement of studies, photocopies of documents (passport, visa, I-20, I-94). 

SEVIS Fee  

The SEVIS fee of $100 U.S. dollars is required of all foreign nationals who come to the U.S. for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in an educational institution.  It is payable one time for each single educational program in which an F-1 student participates, extending from the time the student is granted F-1 status to the time the students falls out of status, changes status, or departs the U.S. for an extended period of time. 

For additional information on SEVIS:  http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/