Definition of Terms

F-2
The spouse and minor children accompanying or following to join an F-1 student are eligible for admission in F-2 status if the student is admitted in F-1 status. A new SEVIS form I-20 is required for a dependent where there has been any substantive change in the F-1 student’s current information, such as extension of the program, change of program.

M-2
For spouse and dependent children accompanying on following M-1 student.

B-1
Visitors for business, visa can be extended for up to six month, but most B-1 admissions are approved for a period not exceeding 3 months.

B-2
This visa allows you to enter the U.S. for six months or less to travel for pleasure or seek medical treatment.

J-1
J1 student visas are for people who want to participate in an exchange visitor program, (commonly know as an internship program) in the US. The J1 visa is intended for students needing practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic program. The training must be directly related to the academic program. The J1 visa obligates the student to return to their home country for a minimum of two years after the end of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa.

H-1 B
Visa is a non-immigrant visa, which allows a US company to employ a foreign individual for up to six years. As apply for a non-immigrant visa is generally quicker than applying for a US Green Card, staff required on long-term assignment in the US is often initially brought in using a non-immigrant visa such as the H1B visa.

SEVIS
“Student and Exchange Visitors Information System” is a centralized USCIS database which keeps track of all F and M Foreign Students as well as J Exchange Visitors. As a Foreign Student, you legal status depends on the status of your electronic record in SEVIS. When you apply for F-1 Student Visa, whether from abroad or while in the U.S., you are entered into SEVIS when the school you decide to attend creates form I-20. Your school DSO uses SEVIS to register you for classes every term. If you do not register for classes, your schools DSO will not register you in SEVIS and your F-1 Foreign Student status will be immediately terminated, making further stay in the US illegal, regardless of the date on your form I-20. Your SEVIS record is also verified and update whenever you enter or depart the U.S. School DSOs and USCIS authorized personnel are the only people that have any access to your SEVIS record. Legal agencies, immigration attorneys and other parties providing student visa advice do not have access to SEVIS.

SEVIS I–901 Fee
The SEVIS I-901 fee is mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States. Each student or exchange visitor issued an initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 on after September 1, 2004 is responsible for paying this fee to SEVP. There are some exceptions.
The fee is used to:

• Maintain and update SEVIS


• Hire and train SEVIS Liaison Officers


• Staff and manage the SEVP Office to:
  
  
  
  • Support the current version of SEVIS and continue to add enhancements
  
  
  • Develop SEVP policies and procedures
  
  
  • Offer SEVIS-related training, assistance and problem resolution to the schools and exchange visitor program sponsors
  
  
  
  
• Maintain enforcement oversight to ensure that:
  
  
  
  • Schools and exchange visitor program sponsors are maintaining accurate, timely information
  
  
  • Students or exchange visitors who fail to maintain status either leave the United States or apply for reinstatement
  
  
  
  

Form I-94
A USCIS form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) shows the date you arrived in the United States and the “Admitted Until” date, the date when you authorized period of stay expires. You will receive I-94 form in the airplane before arriving at the airport. The form must be completed and presented to a USCIS inspector who may ask you question about the purpose of your trip, how long you will be in the United States, and your residence abroad. A USCIS form I-94 that has been approved by a USCIS inspector is the evidence of your legal arrival in the U.S. and your legal presence in the country. In addition, by turning in USCIS form I-94 to the proper authorities upon departure from the U.S., you can prove that you did not break the law by remaining in the country illegally beyond the authorized period. If your form I-94 is stolen, you are responsible for replacing it. If you apply for an extension of stay ore change of status, USCIS will issue you an updated form I-94 with the new expiration date.

Form DS-156, DS-158
These are the forms for Non-immigrant visa applicants.

Form DS-157
This is a Supplemental form for non-immigrant visa applicant.

USCIS
U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which provides most of “On March” services formerly provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) including facilitation of immigration process and temporary non-immigrant stay for foreign nationals in the United States.

DSO
DSO refers to a Designated School Official. The schools approved by USCIS must have at least one Designated School Official who is in charge of foreign students. Designated School Officials are available to help you find answers to your immigration concerns. Please only use the DSO pertinent to your classification. Your DSO is the individual that will endorse the back of your I-20 when you prepare to leave the U.S.