Staff & Faculty: Contact OGS about F-1 & J-1 Students

Please email your program’s dedicated IS Advisor:

  • To update Georgetown’s curricula eligible for F-1 and J-1 enrollment.
  • To share information and ask questions about F-1 and J-1 students.

Curricular Changes & New Program Development

U.S. immigration law requires schools to catalogue F-1 and J-1 curricula. New programs must be added to Georgetown’s institutional SEVIS record. Existing programs need prior approval for substantial changes, including but not limited to: 

  • Minimum credits each term
  • Practical training experience
  • Online or offsite requirement
  • Time for degree completion
  • Primary location of instruction (Hilltop vs. Capitol Campus)

DHS timelines are unpredictable. We strongly recommend that academic programs reach out to OGS at least one academic year before the implementation of a new program or adjustment of curricular changes. Deadlines are February 1 for Summer, March 1 for Fall, and October 1 for Spring.

1. Email Program Verification Form (PVF) to OGS.

2. OGS reviews PVF and provides feedback within six weeks.

3. OGS updates Georgetown’s institutional SEVIS record. Time for DHS adjudication is highly variable, and the petition locks during biennial recertification.

4. Once approved, OGS publishes the new or revised program for the next immigration document issuance cycle.

Academic Events Reported in SEVIS

Please alert OGS as early as possible regarding any potential interruption to the academic progress of an F-1 or J-1 student. Advance notice means time to consider limited options. 

This non-exhaustive list gives examples for which U.S. federal regulation requires schools to perform a timely update in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 

  • Deferral or withdrawal
  • Study abroad
  • Experiential requirement
  • Leave of absence
  • Registration hold
  • Medical condition
  • Underperformance
  • Unresponsiveness
  • Changed objective
  • Course availability
  • Research delay
  • PhD terminal masters
  • Extension of study
  • Language proficiency
  • Comprehensive exam
  • Part-time in final term
  • Probation or suspension
  • Termination or expulsion