Frequently Asked Questions

On March 1, services formerly provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transitioned into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). In support of the DHS overall mission, the immediate priorities of the new USCIS are:

• to promote national security
• continue to eliminate immigration adjudications backlogs
• implement solutions for improving immigration customer services

The USCIS will continue efforts to fundamentally transform and improve the delivery of immigration and citizenship services. This is the government bureau that Golden Gate University works with to ensure that we are servicing our international students safely and legally. Our main component is a database called SEVIS.

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. SEVIS is an electronic (internet) database that United States colleges and universities use to communicate international student information with the USCIS.

As of August 1, 2003 all colleges and universities were required to enter information in SEVIS for all F-1 and J-1 students. This information includes:

• Enrollment status
• Current address
• Change of status
• Reduced course loads (when a student drops below full time status, whether approved or not)
• Termination due to failure to maintain approved F-1 or J-1 status
• Program extensions and completions
• School transfers
• Practical training authorizations and requests