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DOS, sometimes referred to as the State Department, is a federal department that administers visa applications to the United States and oversees the Exchange Visitor Program (J category visa program). You meet DOS officers during your visa interview.

DHS is a federal department that oversees the Foreign Student (F category) visa program. It is unlikely you will meet DHS agents in person.

ICE is a federal agency within the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security that focuses on immigration regulation enforcement within the United States.

CBP is a federal agency within DHS that safeguards United States borders and oversees transit through ports of entry. You will meet their agents when entering the U.S.

USCIS is a federal agency within DHS that oversees immigration and employment of non-citizens in the United States. USCIS administers and adjudicates applications for various immigration benefits such as the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. Many F-1 students interact with USCIS during their course of study, typically to process OPT applications.

SEVP manages schools, nonimmigrant students in the F and M visa classifications and their dependents on behalf of DHS. SEVP uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System to track and monitor these schools, nonimmigrant students and their dependents. SEVP staff may visit our college for audit purposes or (in rare cases) contact you directly.

SEVIS is the online database that maintains information about F-1 and M-1 students and their dependents who attend SEVP-certified schools in the US. SEVIS is also used by the DOS to maintain information about J-1 Exchange Visitors, their dependents and sponsor programs.

PDSO and DSOs are SEVP-certified school officials who maintain student records in SEVIS and advise F-1 and M-1 students on maintaining their lawful status while they study in the United States.

ROs and AROs are school officials who maintain Exchange Visitor records in SEVIS and advise J1 Exchange Visitors on maintaining their lawful status while in the United States.

Form I-20 is a record of an F-1 or M-1 student's information within SEVIS, and is issued by a PDSO or DSO. The Form I-20 is required to apply for an F-1 visa.

DS-2019 is a record of a J-1 Exchange Visitor's information within SEVIS, and is issued by an RO or ARO. The DS-2019 is required to apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa.

PoE is an airport, land crossing or port through which one enters the United States. For travelers making multiple connections within the US, the POE is where one goes through customs when first entering the United States.

Form I-94 is a record of a nonimmigrant's arrival in and departure from the United States. The Form I-94 is administered by Customs and Border Protection. You can .