State Department Provides SEVIS Processing Update

R 051746Z MAR 03
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
AMEMBASSY KABUL
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
UNCLAS STATE 058041

VISAS, FOR CONSULS, ALSO FOR PAO'S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS, KPAO
SUBJECT: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES: SEVIS PROCESSING
UPDATE

REF: A) STATE 40362 and previous B) STATE 39275 C) STATE
40261

1. The Department announces a policy change regarding the electronic verification of Forms I-20 and DS-2019 issued before February 15, 2003, and presented by continuing students and exchange visitors seeking visas to return to the United States. As discussed in refs B and C, this telegram constitutes a standard operating procedure for handling student visa cases. Upon receipt of this cable, consular employees may use ISEAS and its associated workaround procedures to electronically verify Forms I-20 and DS-2019 issued before February 15 to continuing students or exchange visitors who left the United States before February 15, and who are seeking
visas to re-enter. Any returning students or exchange visitors who departed the United States on or after February 15, 2003, must bear SEVIS-generated documents, and SEVIS rules apply.

2. Previous guidance (see reftels) stated that, after February 15, 2003 (i.e. the date of full SEVIS implementation), all continuing students and exchange
visitors must present SEVIS-generated Forms I-20 or DS-2019 in support of a visa application. CA and INS officials (now DHS) have revisited this issue in light of the precise wording of the INS regulation and the requirement for expeditious visa issuance while fulfilling the statutory requirement for electronic verification of student and exchange visitor status.

3. Consular officials adjudicating F, J, and M visa cases must be alert to the issuance date of the I-20/DS-2019 at hand, the date on which a returning student/exchange visitor departed the U.S., and the implications for the
validity of the document as well as the method of electronic verification. Effective upon receipt of this cable, first-time and continuing students and exchange visitors who left the U.S. before February 15 may present either SEVIS-generated or older "paper" forms. Consular employees may use ISEAS and its associated workaround procedures to electronically verify the provenance of such forms and the status of the student/exchange visitor. All/all Forms I-20/DS-2019 issued on or after February 15, including all forms issued to continuing students who departed the U.S. on or after February 15, 2003, must be SEVIS compliant.

POWELL