SEVP Reminds Schools of Authority to Conduct Site Visits

On November 14, 2025, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (“SEVP”) sent a broadcast message to all participating schools reminding them of SEVP’s authority to conduct out-of-cycle on-site visits, and the consequences for failing to comply with those visits. Based on the broadcast message, SEVP is interpreting the immigration regulations codified at 8 C.F.R. § 214.3 as granting SEVP authority to conduct out-of-cycle on-site reviews of schools  without notice and at any time. SEVP is also asserting the power to use out-of-cycle on-site reviews through immediate campus visits to determine whether students are complying with DHS regulations. See the announcement from NAFSA here.