UW-Madison receives visa system certification

The university has received Immigration and Naturalization Service certification to begin using a federal visa-monitoring system for international students and visiting international faculty and staff.

The office of International Student Services received Student and Exchange Visitor Information System approval Feb. 19 and immediately began using the system, says Judy Brodd, ISS interim director.

Brodd says UW–Madison had completed the installation and testing of new software in January, but an INS backlog apparently resulted in the certification delay.

Under SEVIS, U.S. institutions that admit international students and visiting faculty and staff (carrying J-1 exchange visitor status) must track and report changes in visa status and transmit the data electronically to the INS, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. A failure to do so could result in the loss of status (the right to remain in the United States) for a student or scholar, even if the infraction is minor or inadvertent.

The changes affect UW–Madison’s roughly 5,000 international students and scholars. UW–Madison will do everything possible to support the international community through the transition, says Provost Peter Spear.

“Our international visitors bring a wealth of ideas and perspectives that enrich the entire institution,” he says. “We are extremely fortunate to have them here, and we will continue to do everything we can to support them and make them feel welcome as we move into the era of SEVIS.”

Spear says the university community is particularly thankful for the work of ISS, International Faculty and Staff Services and other campus units that collaborated in the system’s timely installation.

Brodd says students, faculty and staff need to continue working together to become accustomed to the new reporting requirements and to overcome anticipated technical glitches. Education and training for international students and faculty as well as campus staff will be ongoing.

International students and scholars should remember to ask for assistance from ISS or IFSS on any visa or status issue.

University faculty and staff members who have contact with international students or scholars should call those offices with questions, while also watching for information about spring seminars and workshops on SEVIS.