Step-by-Step Guide for the SEVIS Record Update Process

The Compliance Gap: You are legally required to report changes (address, employment) within 10 days of the change. Even if your DSO takes up to 21 days to update the system, your report must be submitted by Day 10. Who Controls What: Active Students: Use your University/School Portal. Standard OPT: Use the SEVP Portal. STEM OPT: You cannot use the portal for employers; you must submit Form I-983 to your DSO. Technical Traps: If the SEVP Portal rejects your address, it is likely a “Smarty Streets” API error. Do not force it. Contact your DSO to perform a manual override in the main system. 2025 Enforcement: Enhanced data sharing between DHS and the State Department means inconsistent data can trigger visa revocations or status termination faster than in previous years.

SEVIS is more than just a government database; it is the digital heartbeat of your legal presence in the United States.

In the current enforcement climate, maintaining your F-1 or M-1 status requires more than just attending class. If your “digital reality” (what is in SEVIS) does not match your “physical reality” (where you live and work), you are technically in violation Form I-983 (Training Plan)of your status.

With over 1.5 million active international students in the U.S., simple administrative mistakes—like forgetting to update an address or misreporting an OPT start date—are becoming leading causes of status termination.

Thus, this guide covers everything from the “10-day rule” to fixing technical portal lockouts. Whether you are a new student at AFINT or navigating Post-Completion OPT, we are here to help you bridge the gap between English learning and American living, ensuring your journey remains compliant and stress-free.

The “Golden Rules” of SEVIS Compliance

Before you log into any system, you must understand the two rules that govern your status.

1. The 10-Day vs. 21-Day Gap

This is the most common source of student anxiety, as many students get confused by the different timelines mentioned in government documents. Here is the breakdown:

• The Student’s Duty (10 Days): Federal regulation (8 CFR 214.2(f)) mandates that you must report changes (Address, Name, Job) to your Designated School Official (DSO) or via the portal within 10 days of the change occurring.
• The DSO’s Duty (21 Days): Once you report it, your DSO has 21 days to update the SEVIS system.

The Strategy: If you report a change on Day 1, but don’t see it updated on Day 15, do not panic. You have met your legal obligation. Always save a screenshot of your portal submission or keep the “Sent” email to your DSO. This “paper trail” is your proof of compliance.

2. Active vs. Initial Status

You cannot access the SEVP Portal until your SEVIS record is in “Active” status or your OPT request is “Approved.”

• New Students: You must complete your school’s immigration check-in immediately upon arrival. If your DSO does not “Register” your record in SEVIS within 30 days of the program start date, the system automatically terminates the record as a “No Show.”
• Active Status: Once your DSO registers you, your record becomes Active, and you gain access to update specific information.

Who Updates What? (Student vs. DSO)

Knowing who has the power to edit your record will save you weeks of frustration. Use this table to determine if you can do it yourself or if you need to contact your school official.

Update Type	Who Does It?	Platform Used
Physical/Mailing Address	Student	University Portal (Active) / SEVP Portal (OPT)
Phone Number	Student	University Portal / SEVP Portal
Standard OPT Employer	Student	SEVP Portal
STEM OPT Employer	DSO	Via Form I-983 (Portal is Read-Only)
Change of Major	DSO	SEVIS (Requires New I-20)
Name/Passport Change	DSO	SEVIS (Requires Proof)

Step-by-Step: Updating Your SEVIS Information

Scenario 1: Moving to a New Address

Federal regulations require you to provide a Physical Address where you sleep. You cannot use a P.O. Box or a University Department address for this field.

The Process:

1. Active Students: Log into your university’s specific ISSS portal (often Terra Dotta or Sunapsis).
2. OPT Students: Log in to the SEVP Portal.
3. Enter Data: Input your new address within 10 days of moving.

Technical Troubleshooting (The “Smarty Streets” Error):

If you are trying to learn how to update SEVIS after moving to a new address, you might encounter a technical error where the portal refuses to save your address.

• The Cause: The SEVP Portal uses a validation API called “Smarty Streets.” It often fails to recognize new apartment builds, basement units, or non-standard formatting.
• The Fix: Do not try to force the system or enter a fake address just to get it to save.
• Action: Contact your DSO immediately. They have a specific “Override” button in the main SEVIS system that students do not have access to. They can force the address into the record manually.

Scenario 2: Updating Employment (The OPT Trap)

This is the most common area for errors. 

Reporting employment stops the “Unemployment Clock” (90 days for Standard OPT). However, the process differs significantly depending on whether you are on Standard OPT or STEM OPT.

For Standard 12-Month OPT:

1. Wait for the Email: You will receive an account creation email from do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.
   
   • Note: This email triggers on your OPT Start Date, not the date your EAD is approved.
2. Log In: Access the portal and select “Add Employer.”
3. The “Relation to Major” Field: Do not leave this vague. Be specific.
   
   • Bad Example: “I work in IT.”
   • Good Example: “I use the Python and SQL skills learned in my CS 401 Database coursework to test software for the client.”

For STEM OPT Extension:

• WARNING: You cannot add a new employer in the portal. The system is “Read-Only” for STEM participants to ensure compliance.
• The Action: You must submit a validated Form I-983 (Training Plan) to your DSO. The DSO will then enter the employer details manually into SEVIS.

This distinction is vital when looking to update SEVIS information for international students.

Scenario 3: Changing Your Major or Name

These updates fundamentally change your visa eligibility and require a new document.

• Change of Major: This requires academic advisor approval. Be aware of CIP Codes—moving from a STEM major (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) to a non-STEM major disqualifies you from the 24-month OPT extension.
  • Result: You will receive a brand new I-20.

Legal Name Change: SEVIS must match your passport exactly. You must update your Passport first. Once you have the new passport, send a copy to your DSO to update SEVIS and reprint your Form I-20.

The School Transfer Update (Risky Territory)

Transferring your SEVIS record to a new school (e.g., from an English program to a University) is a transfer of jurisdiction, not just files. 

The “Release Date” Trap:

You and your current DSO must pick a Transfer Release Date (TRD).

• Before the TRD: Your current school controls your record. You can work on their campus (or on OPT).
• On the TRD: Control moves to the new school. Your work authorization ends immediately.

The Danger Zone:Your work authorization (OPT or CPT) ends strictly on the Transfer Release Date.Red Flag: If your release date is Tuesday, and you work a shift on Wednesday, you have committed “Unauthorized Employment.” This is a severe violation that is difficult to fix.

The 5-Month Rule:

To remain compliant during a SEVIS update for school transfer, you must begin classes at your new school within 5 months of your last program end date (or the transfer release date, whichever is earlier).

Crisis Management: Termination & Reinstatement

If the worst happens and your record is terminated, do not panic. Panic leads to errors. Here is how to handle common compliance failures.

“I Forgot to Report My Job” (The 90-Day Clock)

The Scenario: You have been working for 45 days, but forgot to update the portal. You are worried the system thinks you are unemployed.

The Fix:

• DO NOT try to backdate the start date in the portal yourself. The system often blocks dates older than 10 days, or it may flag the entry as suspicious.
• DO contact your DSO with proof of employment (Offer Letter and Pay Stubs). Request a “Data Fix.” The DSO can submit a ticket to the SEVP Help Desk to retroactively correct the record in SEVIS so those 45 days count as “Employed.”

Reinstatement vs. Re-entry (If Terminated)

If your record has been terminated, you generally have two options.

• Option A: Reinstatement (Form I-539)
  • Pros: You stay in the U.S. while it processes; you keep your original SEVIS ID.
  • Cons: Adjudication takes 6–12 months. A denial requires immediate departure, so you cannot work while pending.
• Option B: Travel & Re-entry
  • Pros: You get “Active” status immediately upon re-entering the U.S. with a new “Initial” I-20.
  • Cons: You must pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS Fee again. Crucially, this resets the clock for CPT/OPT eligibility (you must study for one full academic year again).

Conclusion

SEVIS Compliance is an active process, not a passive one. The automated links between government agencies mean that your SEVIS record is more visible—and more vulnerable—than ever before.

You should log into your portal at least once a month just to verify that your status remains “Active.”

The Golden Rule: When in doubt, contact your DSO. While the SEVP Portal is a convenient tool, your DSO is the ultimate authority with the access rights to fix technical errors.

⚠️ A Note for AFINT Students: If you are unsure how to update your SEVIS record or receive an error in the portal, contact AFINT’s DSO team before taking action. Early reporting can prevent termination.

The U.S. immigration system is complex, but you do not have to navigate it alone. 

At AFINT, we believe your education extends beyond the classroom. Whether you need mastery over the English language to succeed in your classes, guidance on student life compliance, or to navigate life in the USA, we are here to ensure your journey is successful, compliant, and stress-free.

Official Resources

• Study in the States (DHS Official Page)
• SEVP Portal Help Hub
• USCIS Form I-539 (Reinstatement)
• I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment
• Form I-983 (Training Plan)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why didn’t I get the SEVP Portal email?

A: First, check your spam folder for do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov. Second, remember the email only sends on your OPT Start Date. Finally, the link expires in 14 days. If you missed it, ask your DSO to “reset the portal account.”

Q: Can I update my SEVIS record myself?

A: Generally, no. You can only update your address, phone, and Standard OPT employment. All academic changes, STEM employers, and name changes require a DSO.

Q: How do I change my SEVIS ID for a new university?

A: You usually don’t “change” it; you transfer it so you can keep the same ID and history. If you choose to start a new record (new ID), you must pay the I-901 fee again.

Q: What if the portal is down or gives me an error?

A: Send an email with your update to your DSO immediately. This creates a time-stamped legal paper trail proving you attempted to report within the 10-day window, protecting you from violation.