SERVICE 2: Student Visa Process

Streamline the international student visa process for foreign students seeking to study in the United States.

Other Information:

ASSISTANCE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WANTING TO RECEIVE A DEGREE IN THE UNITED STATES Overview: In September 2011, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the launch of the Study in the States initiative to streamline the international student visa process for foreign students seeking to study in the United States. This initiative will examine regulatory and process changes, expand public engagement between the government and academia, and enhance coordination between DHS components and partner agencies. It is meant to encourage and streamline the entry for legitimate non-immigrant students so that they can pursue educational and post-graduate opportunities in the U.S. A key component of the initiative is a new website, http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov, that establishes a central online information hub for DHS and its agency partners to provide current and prospective international students with up-to-date information in a streamlined, dynamic, user-friendly format. The information will help students understand the rules and regulations so they maintain legal status. International student offices and school officials’ information is also provided for students. In addition, we will be providing information about school certification – a critical process schools must follow in order to accept international students. Information on the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) database and the roll-out of SEVIS II will be available for schools, including answers to how this impacts them, what they need to do to prepare for the new system, etc. The Study in the States initiative uses technology and social media to improve customer service by providing a central portal for all agencies involved in the international student process. The effort includes: * Interactive and accessible information, allowing prospective and current students to visually navigate steps of the student visa process on their own ‘Road Map to Success.’ * Links to social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, relevant visa requirements and information to international students, exchange visitors, and the academic community. * A blog with posted videos, public service announcements, relevant news, requirements, helpful tips and success stories. Challenges: There are more than 500,000 non-immigrant international students and exchange visitors in the United States in a given year and over 35,000 officials at U.S. institutions that serve international students. Educating this vast and diverse group of customers about the U.S. Government requirements is a challenge that this initiative will seek to address. Key Milestones and Timeline: Phase one of the website launched on September 16, 2011. Additional features will be included in the next two scheduled phases. The additional phases will introduce the following features: Phase II (December 2011) * Translate pages into 5 most common languages of international students * Searchable database of schools Phase III (March 2012) * Instant glossary of terms * Roadmap to Success * Instructional videos Overview: In September 2011, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the launch of the Study in the States initiative streamline the international student visa process for foreign students seeking to study in the United States. This initiative will examine regulatory and process changes, expand public engagement between the government and academia, and enhance coordination between DHS components and partner agencies. It is meant to encourage and facilitate the entry for legitimate non-immigrant students so that they can pursue educational and post-graduate opportunities in the U.S. A key component of the initiative is a new website, http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov, that establishes a central online information hub for DHS and its agency partners to provide current and prospective international students with up-to-date information in a streamlined, dynamic, user-friendly format. The information will help students understand the rules and regulations so they maintain legal status. International student offices and school officials’ information is also provided for students. In addition, we will be providing information about school certification – a critical process schools must follow in order to accept international students. Information on the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) database and the roll-out of SEVIS II will be available for schools; including answers to how this impacts them, what they need to do to prepare for the new system, etc. The Study in the States initiative uses technology and social media to improve customer service by providing a central portal for all agencies involved in the international student process. The effort includes: * Interactive and accessible information, allowing prospective and current students to visually navigate steps of the student visa process on their own ‘Road Map to Success.’ * Links to social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, relevant visa requirements and information to international students, exchange visitors, and the academic community. * A blog with posted videos, public service announcements, relevant news, requirements, helpful tips and success stories.

Stakeholder(s):

• DHS Office of Academic Engagement


• International Students: Key Customer Groups: Any individual seeking to pursue a degree in the United States.

Objective(s):

S 2.1: Feedback

S 2.1.1: Questions & Comments

S 2.1.2: Site Analytics

S 2.2: Best Practices

S 2.2.1: Marketing Campaigns

S 2.2.2: Cultural Sensitivity and Translation

S 2.3: Metrics and Standards

S 2.3.1: Translated Pages

S 2.3.2: Web Traffic

S 2.3.3: Social Media / Visitor Analytics

S 2.4: Streamlining

Content