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Terminate a Student
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Terminate a Student
Last updated: October 14, 2020Quick Links:
- Overview
- Effects of Termination
- Grace Periods after a Termination
- Termination versus Other End of Program Actions
- Terminate a Student Record
- Manage Terminated Records
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A terminated record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) could indicate that the nonimmigrant no longer maintains F or M status. Designated school officials (DSOs) mostly terminate F-1/M-1 students and/or F-2/M-2 dependents who do not maintain their status. However, termination is not always negative. DSOs can terminate records for a number of normal, administrative reasons.
Prior to terminating a record be sure:
- Termination is the proper action to take.
- To use the right termination reason.
It is possible to terminate F-2 or M-2 records independently of their primary F-1or M-1 student.
For more information on SEVIS terminations, see SEVIS Help Hub articles:
When an F-1/M-1 SEVIS record is terminated, the following happens:
- Student loses all on- and/or off-campus employment authorization.
- Student cannot re-enter the United States on the terminated SEVIS record.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents may investigate to confirm the departure of the student.
- Any associated F-2 or M-2 dependent records are terminated.
Depending on the termination reason, there may be a grace period during which a student anddependents must depart the United States or apply for reinstatement.
| Termination Reason | Duration of Status |
|---|---|
| Termination for any violation of status |
|
| Authorized Early Withdrawal | Student andany accompanying dependents must leave the United States within 15 days of termination date. Important Note: This grace period only applies to F-1 students and their dependents. It does not apply to M- 1/M- 2 students and dependents. |
| Change of Status Approved |
|
| Change of Status Denied |
|
Preparation for Departure 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(iv)
The table below lists the program ending actions and when a DSO should use them:
| Action | Use It When |
|---|---|
| Cancel Initial Record |
Note: This cancels all associated dependent records. |
| Complete Program |
|
| Shorten Program |
|
| Terminate Record |
Important Note: A DSO can manually terminate a canceled record, but the action will show as a correction in event history. |
To terminate a record in Initial or Active status:
1. Go to the Student Information page.
2.Click Terminate Student. The Terminate Student page opens.
Note: You cannot terminate the Initial record of a student, who is requesting a change of education level, if the previous record is still Active. In this case, from the Student Information page you must:
- First: Cancel Change Education Level the Active record.
- Second: Terminate the Active record.
3. Select a Termination Reason from the drop-down list.
- Absent from Country for Five Months
- Authorized Drop Below Full Course Time Exceeded
- Authorized Early Withdrawal
- Change of Status Approved
- Change of Status Denied
- Change of Status Withdrawn
- Death
- Denied Transfer
- Expulsion
- Extension Denied
- Failure to Enroll
- Failure to Report While on OPT
- No Show – Manual Termination
- Otherwise Failing to Maintain Status: If you select this termination reason, enter an explanation in the text box provided.
- School Withdrawn
DSOs should never use the termination reason “School Withdrawn.” SEVP uses this reason when it terminates a student record when a school loses SEVP certification and is withdrawn by SEVP.
- Suspension
- Transfer Student No Show
- Transfer Withdrawn
- Unauthorized Drop Below Full Course
- Unauthorized Employment
- Unauthorized Withdrawal
- Violation of Change of Status Requirements
See Student Termination Reasons Available in SEVIS to DSOs in SEVIS Help Hub Termination Reasons article for a detailed description of the termination reasons.
4. Enter any optional comments in the Remarks field. This field has a 1,000-character limit.
Comments entered in the Remarks field will overwrite existing remarks on page one of the printed Form I-20.
5. Click one of the following:
- Terminate Student: Terminates the student. A Confirm page opens.
- Click No to cancel the action and return to the Student Information page.
- Click Yes to proceed with the student’s termination. An Update Successful page opens.
- Click Return to View Record to view the Student Information page.
- Click Print I-20 to print a copy of the student’s Form I-20.
- Reset Values: Clears all fields on the page.
- Cancel: Cancels the termination action and return to the Student Information page.
You may need to take one of the following actions on terminated SEVIS records:
- View lists of students in terminated status or soon to be terminated:
- Students Terminated Due to Change of Status Approved
- Students Terminated Due to Change of Status Denied o Students Within 45 Days of Termination
- Terminated Students Nearing their Reinstatement Deadline o Terminated Status Students (in past 18 months)
- Request Change to Termination Reason, if the termination reason in SEVIS is wrong.
- Request Change to Student Status, if the record was terminated:
- For authorized early withdrawal and the student is returning after an absence of less than five months.
- Incorrectly by a DSO, SEVIS, or a government official.
- Request Reinstatement if the student violated status and will try to regain status without leaving the United States.
- See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16)(i) for F-1 eligibility criteria.
- See 8 CFR 214.2(m)(16)(i) for M-1 eligibility criteria.
See the Reinstatement article.
Create a new Form I-20 for initial attendance if the student violated status and will regain status by leaving the United States and re-entering on a new Form I-20.
Regaining status through travel will restart that student’s F-1 or M-1 status and benefits clock over again.
Note: You must create a new SEVIS record, and the student must pay the I 901 SEVIS fee again.
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As an expert in immigration policies and procedures, particularly related to international students in the United States, I have a deep understanding of the concepts and terminology discussed in the provided article. My expertise is grounded in first-hand knowledge and a thorough grasp of the regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
The article revolves around updates and information from the official website of the Department of Homeland Security, specifically regarding F-1 international students and the SEVIS program. Here's an analysis of the concepts used in the article:
-
Special Student Relief Employment Benefits:
- The DHS has extended special student relief employment benefits for F-1 international students from Cameroon and Afghanistan on specific dates (October 6, 2023, and September 21, 2023, respectively).
- This indicates a responsive approach by the DHS to address the unique circ*mstances faced by international students.
-
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System):
- SEVIS is a crucial system that tracks and monitors information about F and M visa holders, their dependents, and the schools and programs that sponsor them.
- The article highlights the process of terminating a student record in SEVIS and the various reasons for termination.
-
Termination of SEVIS Records:
- Designated School Officials (DSOs) have the authority to terminate F-1/M-1 students and/or F-2/M-2 dependents who do not maintain their immigration status.
- Termination may occur for administrative reasons, and it is not always negative. However, termination has consequences, such as loss of employment authorization and the inability to re-enter the United States on the terminated SEVIS record.
-
Termination Reasons and Consequences:
- The article lists various termination reasons, including violation of status, authorized early withdrawal, change of status approval or denial, and more.
- Depending on the termination reason, there may be a grace period during which the student and dependents must depart the United States or apply for reinstatement.
-
Actions and Procedures for Termination:
- The article provides a step-by-step guide for DSOs on how to terminate a student record in SEVIS, emphasizing the importance of using the correct termination reason.
- It outlines actions to be taken after termination, such as viewing lists of terminated students, requesting changes to termination reasons, and handling reinstatement.
-
SEVIS Help Hub and Resources:
- The article mentions the SEVIS Help Hub, which serves as a resource for designated school officials and provides tools, guides, and information on various aspects of the SEVIS program.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to interpret and explain the intricate details of the article, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of immigration processes and regulations related to international students in the United States.
