Certification is the process schools go through to receive authorization from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enroll F and/or M nonimmigrants. Within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), SEVP reviews schools that desire to enroll nonimmigrant students to determine denial or approval of certification. Schools must submit their petition online for certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the database which compiles the data for the Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” and must submit a nonrefundable certification fee of $3,000 for filing the petition and $655 for a site visit per location listed on the Form I-17.
Visit the following pages by the Department of Homeland Security to learn more about the SEVP certification process:
The best approach to confirming your institution is ready for the SEVP Certification process is reviewing the list of exhibits required for your school's specific scenario (see listed above). Once that assessment is completed, prepare a to-do list with all pending items and get to work! Unless you are able to provide all evidence documentation, your application will not be approved.
The following schools are considered to be academic institutions and may be approved for attendance by nonimmigrant students with M1 visas under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA):
The SEVP certification application for public high schools requires the submission of the following documents:
- Proof of Accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.
- Form I-17: Signed.
- Proof of Payment.
- Program of Study Descriptions.
- School Official Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident.
- School Catalog.
- State Recognition or Proof of Exemption.
Visit the official initial petition evidence checklist.
Interested in learning more? Visit the following pages for information on relevant topics for school owners:
- Resources for School Owners
- Top 10 List School Site Visit Deficiencies
- Accreditation in 4 Milestones
- Accreditation Eligibility Requirements
- Getting Started with Accreditation
- Free Accreditation Resources
INSTITUTIONS ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL F NONIMMIGRANTS - F1 VISAS
US educational institutions complete the SEVP Certification for the enrollment of international students with M1 and F1 visas to attend on-campus classes. Once certified, schools are granted access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and allowed to issue Form I-20 visas.
Are you considering starting the SEVP certification process? You have come to the right place. This page includes the information to get you started in the right direction:
- SEVP Certification Process
- SEVP Eligible Institutions
- SEVP Application Exhibits
- Confirming SEVP Certification Readiness
- The School Journey to SEVP Certification
- SEVP Reference Pages
- Our Consulting Services
- Related Pages
- Request a Complimentary Consultation
1 - SEVP Certification Process
We hope the information included on this page has answered your questions regarding applying for SEVP certification. Are you a postsecondary school in need of assistance with your SEVP application?
We serve clients in all 50 US states and are accredited by the Better Business Bureau with a BBB A+ Rating. Count on us for help with your career school needs.
Request a free consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing the free session request form, or sending us an email at [email protected]. During this session, we will conduct a preliminary assessment and introduce you to the requirements and process for a school to obtain the SEVP certification and enroll students with I-20 visas.
D - EXHIBITS FOR ACCREDITED PRIVATE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12
8 - Related Pages
E - EXHIBITS FOR NON-ACCREDITED PRIVATE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12
Interested in opening a career school, college, or university with the plan to one day enroll students with international student visas I-20? Here are the three milestones that you will need to complete:
Obtaining a State License to Operate
Applying for a license to operate in your home state is your first step. Make sure the programs included for initial approval will qualify: programs offered 100% online are not approved for international student visas. Visit our list of state-approval agencies for career schools and colleges.
Achieving Accreditation Status
Once licensed and operating for about two years, your institution may be ready to apply for institutional accreditation with one of the approved accrediting agencies as per the US Federal Department of Education. Visit our accreditation page for an introduction to the eligibility requirements and process.
Receiving the SEVP Certification
Now that your institution is accredited, you can start the SEVP Certification process. Make sure to do your homework well in advance to confirm you will be ready to meet all SEVP requirements.
The SEVP certification application for non-accredited private institutions offering kindergarten through grade 12, requires the submission of the following documents:
- Attendance Policy Outline.
- Evidence in Lieu of Accreditation.
- Facilities Information.
- Financial Information.
- Form I-17: Signed.
- Grading Policy Outline.
- Ownership Information.
- Proof of Payment.
- Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) Statement.
- Program of Study Descriptions.
- School Official Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident.
- School Catalog.
- State Recognition or Proof of Exemption.
- Teacher(s) Qualification Descriptions.
Visit the official initial petition evidence checklist.
The SEVP certification for flight schools requires the submission of the following documents:
- Form I-17: Signed.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certification.
- Ownership Information.
- Proof of Payment.
- Program of Study Descriptions
- Program of Study - Flight School Worksheet
- School Official Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident.
- State Recognition or Proof of Exemption.
Visit the official initial petition evidence checklist.
Review the policy guidance for flight training providers.
- Home schools.
- Preschools and/or daycare institutions.
- Public elementary or middle schools (grades K-8).
- Schools whose programs are primarily distance education or online (i.e., internet-based).
- Adult education programs, if the adult education program is funded in whole or in part by a grant under theAdult Education and Family Literacy Act, or by any other federal, state, county, or municipal funding.
- Flight schools that are not Part 141 or Part 142 certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
C - EXHIBITS FOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS
9 - Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
3 - SEVP Application Exhibits
4 - Confirming SEVP Certification Readiness
SEVP Certification International Student Visas
The following schools are considered to be vocational or nonacademic institutions and may be approved for attendance by nonimmigrant students with M1 visas under section 101(a)(15)(M)(i) of the INA:
A - EXHIBITS FOR ACCREDITED POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
Enrolling Students with I-20 Visas
7 - Our Consulting Services
The SEVP certification application for accredited postsecondary institutions, such as vocational schools, colleges, and universities, requires the submission of the following documents:
- Proof of Accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.
- Form I-17: Signed.
- Ownership Information.
- Proof of Payment.
- Program of Study Descriptions.
- School Official Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident.
- School Catalog.
- State Recognition or Proof of Exemption.
Visit the official initial petition evidence checklist.
INELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
The SEVP certification application for non-accredited postsecondary institutions, such as vocational schools, colleges, and universities, requires the submission of the following documents:
- Attendance Policy Outline.
- Evidence in Lieu of Accreditation.
- Grading Policy Outline.
- Facilities Information.
- Financial Information.
- Form I-17: Signed.
- Ownership Information.
- Proof of Payment.
- Program of Study Descriptions.
- School Official Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident.
- School Catalog.
- State Recognition or Proof of Exemption.
- Teacher(s) Qualification Descriptions.
Visit the official initial petition evidence checklist.
INSTITUTIONS ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL M NONIMMIGRANTS - M1 VISAS
2 - SEVP Eligible Institutions
SEVP certification application documents vary depending on the type of institution presenting the application. Below you will find a list of documents for each one of the six scenarios. SEVP may request additional documents via a Request for Evidence (RFE) through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), outlining additional information to be provided by a specified due date. All documents are subject to verification. Visit the Evidence Guidelines provided by Homeland Security for an explanation of the documents listed below.
The following may not be approved for attendance by foreign students:
- A college or university (i.e., an institution of higher learning which awards recognized bachelor's, master's, doctor's or professional degrees).
- A community college or junior college which provides instruction in the liberal arts or in the professions and which awards recognized associate degrees.
- A seminary.
- A conservatory.
- A public high school.
- A private elementary, middle and/or high school.
- An institution which provides language training, instruction in the liberal arts or fine arts, instruction in the professions, or instruction or training in more than one of these disciplines.
- A community college or junior college which provides vocational or technical training and which awards recognized associate degrees.
- A vocational high school.
- A school that provides vocational or nonacademic training other than language training.
5 - The School Journey to SEVP Certification
BAYSIDE PROJECTS
F - EXHIBITS FOR FLIGHT SCHOOLS
B - EXHIBITS FOR NON-ACCREDITED POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
6 - SEVP Certification Reference Pages
The SEVP Certification allows educational institutions to enroll students from abroad. This page introduces you to the eligibility criteria, application process, and consulting services we provide.
The SEVP certification application for accredited private institutions offering kindergarten through grade 12, requires the submission of the following documents:
- Proof of Accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.
- Form I-17: Signed.
- Ownership Information.
- Proof of Payment.
- Pre-Kindergarten Statement.
- Program of Study Descriptions.
- School Official Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident.
- School Catalog.
- State Recognition or Proof of Exemption.
Visit the official initial petition evidence checklist.
We provide SEVP Certification consulting services to accredited postsecondary institutions such as universities, colleges, vocational schools, and trade schools. Need help with your institution's accreditation? We can help you with that, too! Schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more.
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- SEVP Certification for Postsecondary Institutions
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- Compliance and Best Practices
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Can't find the program you are considering for your institution accreditation or SEVP certification? Let us know through our comment form. The list above only includes the most common areas of consulting. We will be happy to let you know if we are available to assist you with your specific program niche.