All you need to know about the SEVIS system.

From the moment you embark on your U.S. internship adventure, you will probably encounter a number of new terms, names, and acronyms. You need to be familiar with the meaning of these, as these words will be used several times by the different parties involved in your program.

One of the acronyms you will encounter is SEVIS. This stands for “Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.” Made fully operational in the year 2002, it is a database used by United States Department of Homeland Security for the collection of information and tracking of exchange students and visitors, scholars, interns, and other people who enter the country with either F, M, or J visas.

The SEVIS is handled by the Student and Exchange Program, or SEVP. Since this database will contain information about your status as an intern or trainee, any changes, such as non-completion of the program, or even changes in your US address, will need to be entered into the SEVIS. If you have any questions about what kind of information the SEVIS collects, do check with your program sponsor.