The Office of International Students and Scholars will be closed for Winter Break from Wednesday, December 24 to Friday, January 2. We will reopen on Monday, January 5. If you have an urgent matter, please contact TUPD at (504) 865-5911. 

Form I-17: What it Means for Departments

Regulations require Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified institutions to report any changes to the Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student.” SEVP-certified institutions are required to keep all Form I-17 sections up to date in order to ensure the Form I-17 reflects the institution’s current operating status. Any changes to the information on the Form I-17 or the program of study listed on it require an update to the form within 21 days of the change. Failure to follow this regulation may result in withdrawal of a school’s SEVP certification. SEVP recommends that designated school officials (DSOs) review the institution’s Form I-17 on a regular basis to ensure it reflects the school’s most up-to-date information.

If there are changes surrounding the details of a particular academic degree program (such as length for example), or if a new one is added, these need to be updated through the Form I-17.  This adjudication can take anywhere from one month to a year.  We advise departments around campus to please consult with the OISS about any specific changes to particular programs that might affect international students.

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