The US instructs F-1 aliens to update relevant data on time

There are many immigration statuses under US immigration of which F-1 is a non-immigrant status. This status is conferred by the USCIS on an alien student undergoing study in USA. An alien outside the US must first apply for an F-1 visa at their local US Consulate abroad.

COVID-19 has already caused a great deal of unemployment in the US. While the situation is still ongoing, the US government is giving a heads up to the international students with F-1 status regarding updating their employment status details with the authorities.

The F-1 aliens taking part in post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training) and their DSOs (Designated School Officials) must update the information of their employer in the SEVIS (Student Exchanger Visitor Information System). Any unemployment data must also be given.

Under Federal regulations, F-1 visa holders must notify their DSO of any changes to their employment or personal information. This must be done within 10 days.

The DSOs in turn must update SEVIS with the information of the F-1 alien. This must be done within 21 days. Acting appropriately to these reminders will help to make sure that F-1 aliens and their DSOs properly comply with the prevailing requirements.

F-1 aliens could use the SEVP (Student & Exchange Visitor Program) portal to update their employer information. This portal can be used as a tool for M and F aliens taking part in post-completion practical training. With it, they can report timely and accurate information to the SEVP directly. DSOs may follow the instructions in the tool to add, delete, or edit OPT employer and update information in SEVIS. The aliens can contact their DSO in case of any doubt about using the tool.

DSOs and F-1 aliens must make sure that timely entry of information must be done in SEVIS. This will keep the alien’s record current and will reflect factual data on employment. Each day without employer information will be counted by SEVIS to be added to the number of unemployment days allowed. A failure in updating employer information in SEVIS indicating that the alien is unemployed may end up in any or all of the actions as listed below:

• The alien exceeds unemployment limits due to which he/she fails to keep up F-1 non-immigrant status. This will make them fit to be removed unless they are otherwise in a period of authorized stay.
• SEVP will set the status of the SEVIS record of an alien to “terminated” in case they have exceeded unemployment limits.
• The USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) initiates proceedings for revocation of the Employment Authorization Document of an alien in case they have exceeded unemployment limits.
• The exceeding of unemployment limits will negatively affect the alien’s requests for future benefits filed with USCIS.

Detailed information in regard to the SEVP portal is available on the Department of Homeland Security Study in the States website. The information includes step-by-step instructions and videos.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to USA, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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