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Who administers the international student program?

The international student program is administered by SEVP, linked to DHS and ICE, ensuring compliance with immigration laws to protect students and institutions.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on October 25, 2025
1 min read
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It is important to understand how the international student program is organized so that you can prepare yourself in the best possible way to study in the United States. This understanding helps ensure that all steps of the process are properly followed, always complying with immigration laws and avoiding potential pitfalls.

The international student program, which covers the F visa, is administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This program is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is operationally managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The SEVP is responsible for monitoring and tracking students and schools through an information system called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Staying informed about the processes and strictly complying with all immigration rules is essential. Therefore, it is recommended that you seek information from official sources and, if necessary, consult professionals or specialized companies in the field – always with caution to avoid scams or marketing approaches that make unrealistic promises. Knowing the responsible agencies helps to understand that the system was built to ensure the integrity of the process, protecting both students and educational institutions.

Learn more about F-1 Visa

Duration
Duration of studies
OPT (STEM)
Up to 3 years of work
CPT
Work during studies
Processing
2-8 weeks
All about F-1 Visa
Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

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Who administers the international student program?

The international student program is administered by SEVP, linked to DHS and ICE, ensuring compliance with immigration laws to protect students and institutions.

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