J-1 Visa Issuance Update
Greetings. This message serves to provide you with an update on the Agency's compliance with the new State/INS J-1 visa procedures, and specifically, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
As you know, increased homeland security concerns have led to significant changes in the way J1 visas for USAID participant trainees are to be issued and tracked. As a result of the events of 9/11, the Congress mandated that development of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service's tracking system called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) be accelerated and implemented by all USG agencies and other institutions by January 30, 2003. With SEVIS, the INS will be able to track the entry, movement within the U.S., and departure of every participant. Thus, all USAID-funded individuals scheduled to travel to the U.S. under several "student" categories (including both short and long-term training) must be entered into SEVIS for tracking purposes. After January 30, 2003, no J visas will be issued to USAID participants until they are entered into the SEVIS system.
USAID/EGAT and IRM are working very closely with Development InfoStructure (devIS) to design and implement the Agency's response to the requirements of SEVIS, and specifically, its interface with TraiNet. Although we have much to do in order to meet the compliance deadline of January 30, 2003, we have made very good technical headway, and have no reason to believe that USAID will not be compliant when SEVIS comes on-line. But keep in mind that SEVIS is a new government-wide system that involves substantial inter-agency coordination, and like all new systems, there could be glitches. Although I expect no glitches on USAID's end, I would nonetheless like to avoid even the remote possibility of any of our participants not receiving their J1 visas in time for programs beginning around the time that SEVIS comes on-line. Therefore, I recommend that participants traveling to the U.S. for training events which begin in early to mid February, secure their J1 visas as quickly as possible. Alternatively, Missions my want to delay the start dates of early February training events until the middle or end of February. We will provide you with any additional guidance on this issue if and when it becomes necessary to do so.
PLEASE REMEMBER: U.S. Government regulations require any foreign national attending a training activity in the U.S., who is sponsored fully or in part with U.S. Government funds, to enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa (non-immigrant student visa for formally sponsored students/participants). This regulation applies to programs of any length, including those of under two weeks. Accordingly, all USAID participants traveling to the U.S. must use the J-1 visa exclusively.
Highlights of Procedural Changes and How SEVIS Will Work:
Issuance of DS-2019: One important change will be the way the visa application form is prepared and produced. At present, if USAID wishes to include a prospective participant in its J-1 visa program, a USAID authorized person must complete a multi-page, multi-copy Form DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66a). Under the new J regulation procedures effective January 30, 2003, a single page Form DS-2019 will be electronically generated for a participant (and accompanying spouse and dependents). The process for creating a DS 2019 form begins with TraiNet Operators worldwide entering participant data. Through an interface being developed for USAID by devIS, TraiNet data will be verified by the Mission, confirmed by EGAT/ED/TR, and transferred to SEVIS. The J Regulations stipulate that one individual known as the "Responsible Officer" (RO) based in Washington, will assume signatory authority for submitting DS 2019 forms to respective Consular Officers. Accordingly, the Washington-based RO will print, sign and express-mail DS 2019's to the Mission/contractor for submission to the Consulate.
Participant Tracking: The TraiNet/SEVIS interface will enable USAID to transmit information and status changes via the Internet, to the INS and the Department of State, throughout a participant's stay in the United States. The system will reflect participant status changes, such as admission at ports of entry, change of address, change in program of study, and so forth. SEVIS will also provide system alerts and basic reports to USAID and INS field offices. Participant records in SEVIS will be accessible to USAID.
Security: The interface between TraiNet and SEVIS, and the procedures for using it, have been designed to ensure data security. The TraiNet/SEVIS interface will be centralized with a secure Web browser connecting authorized users to the database. While responsible parties for all U.S.-based participant training activities worldwide will transmit and verify the required SEVIS-compliant data, only a limited number of USAID staff will be authorized to upload and download data to and from SEVIS, and only one person (the Washington-based RO) will be able to print and sign the DS 2019's.
Implementation Deadline: SEVIS is to be fully implemented by January 30, 2003. On or after that date, USAID will utilize SEVIS in order to issue a DS-2019 and to enter data when required for specified changes in a participant's status. Within 120 days after the mandatory compliance date, USAID Missions/contractors must have entered information into TraiNet on all current participants already in the U.S so that mandatory SEVIS update can take place.
ISEAS: Effective January 30, 2003, SEVIS will become fully operational and ISEAS will be phased out.
Please feel free to contact Jim Nindel, Acting Team Leader, EGAT/ED/Training, at JNindel@usaid.gov if you have any questions.