Recertification Information

DO NOT SUBMIT ANY DOCUMENTATION UNLESS YOUR SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED A 180-DAY NOTICE VIA the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

Quick Recertification Filing Tips

  • The Form I-17 must be signed in its entirety. This includes signatures by the principal designated school official, all designated school officials, owners, heads of schools/chancellors.
  • File for recertification via the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and submit a complete recertification package.
  • Upon receipt of your complete recertification package and submission in the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), you will receive a Notice of Completion of Filing from the Student & Exchange Visitor Program School Recertification Team.
  • If you have not received a Notice of Completion of Filing the day before your certification expiration date, you will be automatically withdrawn.
  • The Student & Exchange Visitor Program Recertification Team strongly recommends that you file your package for recertification as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days prior to the certification expiration date.
  • Your certification expiration date expires at 12:01 a.m. on the certification expiration date listed in the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
  • If a package is received on the day prior to the certification expiration date, your school may be temporarily withdrawn from the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
  • There may be a delay in receiving packages by fax. To ensure timely processing of your package, we encourage you to email your recertification package if you’re within 10 business days of your certification expiration date.
  • Do NOT submit your recertification package by fax and by email. Please only use one method of submission. Packages received by both fax and email are subject to extended processing times.
  • Recertification forms are located at the bottom of this page.

Recertification Instructions

Once you have been notified via the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) that your school is within the 180 days of the certification expiration date, your school must submit a completed recertification petition package prior to the certification expiration date.

Please review the recertification petition package checklist to assist you in completing the recertification process. Do not submit the checklist with your recertification petition package. This is strictly to ensure all required documentation and procedures are included and completed.

Incomplete Package or Failure to File

Federal regulation 8 CFR §214.3 (h)(2)(ii) consequence of failure to petition. SEVP will serve a Notice of Intent to Withdraw to the school 30 days prior to a school's certification expiration date. SEVP will no longer accept a petition for recertification from the school and will immediately withdraw the school's certification if the school does not petition for recertification, abandons its petition, or does not submit a complete recertification petition package by the certification expiration date, in accordance with the automatic withdrawal criteria in 8 CFR 214.4(a)(3). The school must comply with 8 CFR 214.4(i) upon withdrawal.

Updates

The Student & Exchange Visitor Program recommends that you review your Form I-17 as soon as possible to determine if it is current and accurate. If you identify a change not previously reported to the Student & Exchange Visitor Program, you must complete the update in the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) immediately. The update must be adjudicated prior to filing for recertification. The update adjudication process typically ranges from 60 to 90 days, but could take longer depending on the nature of the update. Filing an update does not change the certification expiration date.

Petition updates are a priority for the Student & Exchange Visitor Program Recertification Team and will be adjudicated as quickly as possible. However, the time needed to process this update does not grant the school an extension for recertification.

Instructions for Recertification

In order to file for recertification, you must electronically submit the following documents at the same time:

1. Attestation Statement: Complete the attestation statement. Fill in the complete official name of the accrediting body and state licensing body. If your school is exempt from state licensing, fill in EXEMPT along with the organization or agency that offered the exemption. The principal designated school official’s signature is required. Fields left blank will render your form unacceptable.

2. Form I-17: Print a copy of the Form I-17 from the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and sign the petition including, supplemental page A and submit supplemental page B. Obtain signatures for all designated school officials listed. If the information contained within Form I-17 accurately reflects your school and its operation, submit all documentation via email to recert.sevis@dhs.gov or via fax by dialing 877-268-5563. Include the attached fax cover sheet to all fax submission. For email submissions, in the subject line type in: recertification package followed by your school code. There may be a delay in receiving packages by fax. To ensure timely processing of your package we encourage you to email your recertification package.

3. You must also file for recertification via the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by clicking the submit button. Only the principal designated school official can file for recertification. The principal designated school official must file for recertification at the same time as he/she submits the recertification package.

After Submitting the Petition for Recertification

If you correctly submit all requested documentation, you will receive a Notice of Confirmation of Complete Filing. This notice serves to inform you that the Student & Exchange Visitor Program received your petition for recertification and that the petition will be adjudicated.

If your submission is incorrect, you will receive a Notice of Rejection of Complete Filing. This notice will state the errors in your package and request that you make the corrections and resubmit your recertification package. The Student & Exchange Visitor Program recommends that you correct your errors and submit your corrections as soon as possible.

Remember: You only have a total of 180 days to resubmit a complete package. No extensions will be granted.

Once your recertification petition package is in adjudication, you may receive a request for evidence. You will have 15 days to respond to the request. If no additional evidence is needed and your school continues to operate in accordance with the federal regulations governing the Student & Exchange Visitor Program, you will receive a Notice of Recertification.

Withdrawals

If your school would like to have their Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) certification access voluntarily withdrawn, you must complete the withdrawal form below. The school president/owner must sign the form. If you have any nonimmigrant students attending your school they must first transfer or depart the United States before you voluntary withdrawn statement is processed.

Recertification Forms

  • Recertification Checklist (PDF | 328 KB)
  • Attestation Statement (PDF | 217 KB)
  • Recertification FAX Cover Sheet (PDF | 21 KB)
  • Recertification Withdrawal Form (PDF | 181 KB)

Questions

If you have any questions concerning the recertification process, call the Student Exchange Visitor Program School CERT LINE at 703-603-3400.