Avoiding violations to your SEVIS record

Maintaining your F-1 status is more important than ever. It can be very difficult to fix an immigration status violation.

A violation of your immigration status will result in the termination of your SEVIS record (I-20). If that happens, according to the U.S. government, you would not be in legal status ("out of status") beyond any grace period you may be eligible for.

We are here to help you. However, it is your responsibility to remain compliant with immigration and university regulations. We provide information and services to help ensure that you are aware of these requirements and are able to stay in legal status. Maintaining contact with our office and reading your IU email regularly throughout your time here will help ensure you stay in status.

Learn more about maintaining status.

Reasons for the termination of a SEVIS Record include:

  • Failure to report your arrival to OIA by uploading your immigration documents as directed
  • Unauthorized employment (employment without advanced authorization from OIA or USCIS)
  • Unauthorized withdrawal from classes (dropping all your classes without advance permission from OIA)
  • Unauthorized drop below full course of study (dropping below full time enrollment without advance authorization from OIA)
  • Expulsion or suspension
  • Failure to enroll in classes
  • Enrollment in too many online classes
  • Failure to report OPT employment (automatic action by SEVIS)
  • Accrual of 90 days of unemployment while on OPT (automatic action by SEVIS)

If your record is terminated while on OPT, contact us for information about your options. 

In most cases, the termination of your SEVIS record means that you must make plans to immediately depart from the United States. In other words, there may not be a grace period after a termination.

If we have to terminate your SEVIS record, you have two options: travel outside the United States with a new I-20 or submit a reinstatement application to regain your status. Our expert staff can help you determine what the best option is for you.

If you have an F-2 spouse or children, they would also have their SEVIS records terminated at the same time.