Interim Student Authentication System Launched
Posted Sep 27, 2002

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced on September 11, 2002 implementation of its Interim Student and Exchange Authentication System (ISEAS), to be used by U.S. Consulates for verifying information on Student (F and M) and Exchange Visitor (J) visa applicants. This program, which is an Internet-based system, began September 11, 2002 and will remain in effect until the SEVIS system is fully operational on or about January 31, 2003. SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which we covered in our article entitled, DOS Issues Cable on Student Tracking.

Under the current ISEAS system, the consulates will not issue an F, M, or J visa unless they receive electronic notification that the applicant is accepted to the school or exchange visitor program. During the first thirty days of ISEAS, eMail notifications will be sufficient. The reason for this is that the schools and programs may not have had time to enter the data into ISEAS. If this is the case, the consulate will require that the applicant have the school / program send an eMail to a specified address at the consulate. Alternatively, the Consulate may take the initiative to eMail the school directly and request confirmation. After the first thirty days, eMail will no longer be acceptable and all information regarding visa eligibility will have to be verified via ISEAS or, later, SEVIS.

The ISEAS and SEVIS programs are the result of a May 14, 2002 law known as the "Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002." (Border Security Act). This law mandates a tracking system for students and exchange visitors. In light of this new procedure, students should plan on further delays in F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa issuance as well as for their dependents.