Overview
This article outlines the steps to create and submit a SEVIS update to amend an existing Exchange Visitor (EV) program through the SEVIS batch.
Program Amend in SEVIS allows you to edit the program start date or the program end date on an Exchange Visitor's initial SEVIS record.
This action must be taken before the EV enters the U.S. in EV status. You may amend the program after the EV has obtained a J visa abroad.
The Program Amend update has no new associated record and will use the Academic Objective (J) record to submit the required data to SEVIS. This information may be updated by the EV, if your site is configured to permit these actions, or you may update it manually.
The record that you must select to associate with the batch update record will be the Academic Objective (J).
There will be no postback status from the SEVIS batch download. The Academic Objective application status will not change, and its status will continue to display as SEVIS-Initial. You can verify that the Amend Program action has been successfully processed by reviewing the completed batch updates in the SEVIS Profile.
Step 1: Edit Academic Objective (J) Record - Program Start Date or Program End Date
Exchange Visitor-Initiated
An EV may initiate the Amend Program request, although this would be rare due to the fact that they would do so prior to traveling to the U.S. but after obtaining a visa. In order for an EV to do this, your office would need to create an EV-facing link for the Terra Dotta page, an external webpage, or even an email that the EV can click to access a request in Terra Dotta.
Staff-initiated
Admins may create an Amend Program request for an EV record by going to Records > Search, locating the Academic Objective of the EV, and clicking on it. Next, go to the Start/End tab to edit the information by selecting the edit pencil. Once the dates have been amended click Submit.
Step 2: Find Existing Academic Objective Record
- Go to Record > Search
- Enter the name of the EV whose Academic Objective you would like to edit to send the Amend Program update to SEVIS.
Step 3: Review and Complete SEVIS-Required Data
You may edit the program start date or the program end date on the initial SEVIS record.
In the Academic Objective (J), verify that the application status is Initial, then click on the Start/End Dates tab.
Click on the edit icon to edit the existing program start and/or the program end date.
Edit the program start and/or the program end date. You will replace the existing date/s with the new date(s) in the fields shown below.
Click Update after you have edited the date(s). Review the SEVIS-required data prior to sending the Amend Program update to SEVIS.
Step 4: Create a SEVIS Update Record
After you have reviewed the updated program start date, program end date, or both, you will create a SEVIS Update Record, and will select the Academic Objective as the associated application for the Amend Program update.
For further instructions, see SEVIS Admin: Creating a SEVIS Update Record.
You may also wish to see SEVIS Admin: Assigning a SEVIS Update to a Batch.