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SEVP I-17 Frequently Asked Questions
3. Overview of the SEVP certification process
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3.1 How do I apply for SEVP certification?
3.2 Can all schools (or campuses) in a system be filed on the same petition?
3.3 How do I get access to SEVIS?
3.4 How long will it take my school to receive SEVP certification?
3.5 How much does it cost to apply for SEVP certification?
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3.5.1 Are there any exceptions to this fee requirement
3.5.2 Is the fee for SEVP certification refundable?
3.7 How must I verify payment of my fee with SEVP?
3.8 Are there any special instructions for signing the Form I-17?
3.9 How will the SEVP school certification branch (SCB) contact me if they have questions or concerns about my petition?
3.10 What does it mean that SEVP has told me my petition is in RFE status?
3.11 How will we be notified of the decision on our SEVP certification petition?
3.12 Can we begin enrolling nonimmigrant students while our petition for SEVP certification is pending
3.13 If I have questions, comments or concerns about my petition, whom should I contact?
3.14 Will we receive a copy of the site visit results?
3.15 If my petition for SEVP certification is denied, can I appeal the decision?
3.1 How do I apply for SEVP certification?
Schools must electronically petition on the Internet for certification in SEVIS, which compiles the data for the Form I-17, and must submit a nonrefundable certification fee on-line. Both electronic submissions—the Form I-17 and the fee payment should be made at least 90 days prior to the desired certification date.
3.2 Can all schools (or campuses) in a system be filed on the same petition?
Separate petitions are required for different schools in the same school system located within the jurisdiction of different DHS districts.
3.3 How do I get access to SEVIS?
For initial SEVP certification, the petitioning school must access SEVIS on the Internet (https://egov.ice.gov/sevis/ ; select “Register for New Account”) and provide the following information: the school's name; the first, middle, and last name of the contact person for the school; and the email address of the contact person. Once this basic information has been submitted, the school will be issued a temporary ID and password in order to access the SEVIS site to complete and submit an electronic Form I–17. For more detail on user name and password issuance, see http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/tempid.pdf .
3.4 How long will it take my school to receive SEVP certification?
Usually, it takes approximately 90 days to adjudicate a SEVP certification petition, providing all necessary information is submitted during the site visit. Any requests from immigration for additional evidence/information will delay the processing of a petition.
Adjudication of your petition will not begin until your Form I-17 and all required supporting documents have been submitted to SEVP and complete payment of the fee has been verified. Filing 90 days prior to the desired certification does not necessarily ensure adjudication by that date, or approval of the petition.
3.5 How much does it cost to apply for SEVP certification?
The basic fee to apply for SEVP certification is $580, which includes $230 to cover cost of review of the petition and $350 for conduct of the mandatory site review. In addition, the $350 cost of the site review must be paid for each additional school or campus listed on the Form I-17B.
3.5.1 Are there any exceptions to this fee requirement?
Yes. Secondary public and parochial primary and secondary school systems are excluded from paying the additional campus fee and should not list the separate campuses on the Form I-17B.
3.5.2 Is the fee for SEVP certification refundable?
No.
3.6 How can I pay the fee for SEVP certification?
Complete payment should be submitted within 14 days of the electronic submission of your Form I-17 petition. All payments must be made electronically, on the Internet at https://www.pay.gov/paygov/forms/formInstance.html?formRevisionId=1690692&agencyId=912
3.7 How must I verify payment of my fee with SEVP?
You MUST email the tracking ID for the payment to schoolcert.sevis@dhs.gov . Your petition will not be processed or adjudicated until full payment of the proper fee is confirmed.
3.8 Are there any special instructions for signing the Form I-17?
The Form I-17 that you submit to the inspector during the site visit (or mail to SEVP) must be an original form (i.e., original signatures are required in all signature blocks on page 3 of the Form I-17 and pages 1 & 2 of the Form I-17A). Specifically, the owner, president, board chair, or head of the school must sign Form I-17, page 3 and Form I-17A, page 2. For public high schools, the signature must be that of the superintendent. The Form I-17A requires original signatures of the individuals listed as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and all individuals listed as Designated School Officials (DSOs). If the same person is a DSO for multiple campuses, each Form I-17A for each campus to which that DSO is assigned must have that individual’s original signature. Do not type or write any changes on this form. All changes must be completed electronically through SEVIS.
Email is the primary form of communication. Please ensure that email messages you receive from addresses ending in “.gov” are not treated as SPAM or junk mail.
3.10 What does it mean that SEVP has told me my petition is in RFE status?
RFE is a “request for evidence.” On occasion, the SEVP office will need to request additional information or evidence from a school. This process is known as an “RFE”. This results in an email generated automatically from SEVIS, outlining what further information is needed. This notice is sent solely to the PDSO. Therefore, it is very important that all email addresses are accurately maintained in SEVIS.
Regulations state that a school has 12 weeks to respond to an RFE. If, after 12 weeks, no response is received on the RFE, the school’s petition may be denied for lack of prosecution.
3.11 How will we be notified of the decision on our SEVP certification petition?
When a decision has been made, all individuals with a temporary user ID and password to SEVIS will be notified via email (through SEVIS) if the school was approved or denied. Please do not respond to this email, as this account is not monitored.
No. A school may not issue Forms I–20 until SEVP completes the initial petitioning process and the school has been notified by SEVP that it is certified to issue Forms I-20.
3.13 If I have questions, comments or concerns about my petition, whom should I contact?
If you have any questions, concerns, or wish to recognize an individual from the SEVP office, send an email to schoolcert.sevis@dhs.gov. SEVP Address:
ICE/SEVP
425 I Street N.W.
Room 6034
Washington, DC 20536
Phone: 202-305-2346
Fax: 202-353-3723
3.14 Will we receive a copy of the site visit results?
No.
3.15 If my petition for SEVP certification is denied, can I appeal the decision?
Yes. If your petition for initial SEVP certification is denied, you will be notified of the reasons for the decision and of your right to appeal the decision. This notice will include instructions on how to file your appeal. The exception to this is for abandoned petitions.
If SEVP denies a petition because of lack of prosecution, the school does not have appeal rights.
