Student Visa Security Improvement Act

House Votes

This bill, called the Student Visa Security Improvement Act, tightens how the U.S. screens and tracks international students and exchange visitors. It tells Homeland Security to strengthen background checks for student and exchange visas (F, J, M) within 180 days, including reviewing all recommended applications, doing in-person interviews when needed, focusing on terrorism-related concerns, and conducting on-site reviews of applications. It also updates the agreement with the State Department to spell out each agency’s role in this work.

It sets new monitoring rules for schools and program sponsors. Students and exchange visitors must stay active in their programs, get checked in regularly, and have key changes reported quickly. In simple terms, no one can go unobserved (not checked in, either in person or online) for more than 30 days during a school term or more than 60 days otherwise; everyone must be observed at least once every 60 days; and schools must report transfers, major changes, and other updates within 10 days. The bill expands access to the SEVIS tracking system for trained, approved school staff, adds technical support, and upgrades data to include academic performance checks and timely updates. Homeland Security may decertify schools or sponsors involved in serious crime or national security threats. It also defines key terms like covered student, observed, and authorized user to make these rules clear . Finally, it orders an independent review of program fees and requires twice-yearly reports on students who fall out of status and on how well schools report required information.

Key points

• Who is affected: International students and exchange visitors on F, J, or M visas; colleges and exchange sponsors; Homeland Security and State Department staff.
• What changes: Stronger visa screening; regular check-ins and fast reporting; expanded SEVIS access and training; data upgrades; and possible decertification for bad actors .
• When: Visa-screening rules within 180 days; school monitoring rules within 1 year; fee review covers 2017–2019 and 2020–2023; DHS reporting happens twice a year .