When foreign students and exchange visitors enter the U.S., they must report to their
sponsors who then activate them in SEVIS. Before DHS can verify immigration status,
SEVIS must have an activated status for the student or exchange visitor. In most cases,
however, you will not be able to tell from the I-20 or DS-2019 whether the school
or sponsor has activated the student or exchange visitor in SEVIS. In those cases
when the student or exchange visitor reports new information and the school generates
a new SEVIS form, it will:
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have a date that is after DHS admits the F1, M1 or J1 to the country;
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reflect the particular change; and
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indicate the student or exchange visitor activation in SEVIS.