Category: Policy Guidance
SEVP Policy Provides Information on Form I-20 English Proficiency Guidance
In response to stakeholders' questions, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provides the following information concerning the final guidance it released in July 2016.
The SEVP Policy Guidance S13.2: The Form I-20 and the English Proficiency Field focuses on an existing regulation (8 CFR 214.3(k) Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility). The guidance emphasizes that if a school's program requires English proficiency as a standard for admission, schools can only issue the Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," after all standards for admission, including English proficiency, are met.
This regulation was in effect before SEVP published this final guidance. This means that if a school or a specific program in the school requires a certain level of English proficiency as a standard for admission, that school should not have issued a Form I-20 to a student whose English language skills do not meet the school's requirement.
If a school issued a Form I-20 incorrectly, before or after the guidance was published, the school should correct it as soon as practicable.
Do you have questions regarding SEVP policy? Contact the SEVP Response Center by emailing your questions to SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.
SEVP Publishes Guidance on OPT Employment and Student's Major Area of Study
On Sept. 30, 2019, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published new policy guidance titled, "Practical Training: Determining a Direct Relationship Between Employment and a Student...
New Interim Final Guidance Open for Comment until Feb. 27
On Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released two new interim final guidance documents for public comment:SEVP Policy Guidance S1.2.6: State Licensure Exemption...
SEVP to Highlight Pathway Programs in Webinar on Dec. 14, 2016
Join the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for the SEVP InFocus Webinar on Dec. 14, 2016, from 2 to 3 p.m. EST.This webinar will feature a special segment on final policy guidance...
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