International student and immigration terminology can be confusing. Use this glossary to find definitions for common terms, abbreviations and documents you may encounter while studying at Eastern Washington University.
If you need help understanding your immigration status or requirements, contact EWU Global.
| Alternate Responsible Officer | A person designated by a Department of State authorized exchange visitor program sponsor to support the Responsible Officer and maintain SEVIS data. |
| Authorized Overseas Study | Overseas study authorized by a Primary/Designated School Official that contributes to completion of your program of study. This includes graduate research and formal classes or programs. |
| Continuing exchange visitor | For purposes of nonimmigrant status, a continuing exchange visitor is one who maintains status in a single program. |
| Continuing student | For purposes of nonimmigrant status, a continuing student is one who has not completed, or terminated, a program of study and has maintained status. Continuing students may, under certain circumstances, transfer schools while continuing to maintain status. F-1 and F-3 students may also change their level of study while continuing to maintain status. |
| Department of Homeland Security | Department of Homeland Security |
| Department of State | Department of State |
| Designated School Official | The person designated by a SEVP approved school to support the Principal Designated School Official and maintain SEVIS records. |
| Exchange visitor program sponsor | The designated sponsor of a Department of State approved exchange visitor program. |
| F-1 | Nonimmigrant status conferred on students attending SEVP approved academic institutions and language training programs who meet the requirements outlined in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(1). |
| F-2 | Nonimmigrant status conferred on the spouse or minor child of an F-1 or F-3 student. |
| F-3 | Border commuter students in academic institutions and language training programs. |
| Form DS-2019 | Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, created by DOS-approved exchange visitor program. |
| Form I-20 | Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, created by SEVP-approved schools. |
| Immigration and Customs Enforcement | Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
| J-1 | Nonimmigrant status conferred on exchange visitors participating in DOS-approved exchange visitor programs. |
| J-2 | Nonimmigrant status conferred on the spouse or minor child of an J-1 student |
| P/DSO | Either a PDSO or a DSO. |
| Passport | An official document from a person's country of citizenship that attests to their identity and status as a citizen. |
| Adobe Acrobat standard file format | |
| Primary Designated School Official | The person designated by a SEVP-approved school to have primary responsibility for students in that program and maintaining SEVIS records. |
| Port-of-Entry | The term port of entry means a port or place designated by DHS at which a person may apply for admission into the United States, including international airports, seaports and land ports of entry. |
| Receipt for SEVIS I-901 fee | The I-797 or Internet generated receipt given to student or exchange visitor upon payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee. |
| Responsible Officer | The person designated by a Department of State authorized exchange visitor program sponsor to have primary responsibility for exchange visitors in that program and maintaining SEVIS records. |
| School | An SEVP-approved academic or vocational institution or language training school. |
| Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) | Student and Exchange Visitor Information System |
| SEVIS ID number | The unique identifying number assigned to a student or exchange visitor within SEVIS that appears on the Form I-20 or DS-2019. |
| Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) | Student and Exchange Visitor Program |
| U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service |
| Visa | If you are a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you'll need a visa to apply to enter the United States. A visa doesn't permit entry to the United States. A visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate reviewed your application and determined that you are eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the responsibility of the DoS. A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the POE. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States (for more information on what to expect at the POE). There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the U.S. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis for tourism, business, temporary work, study, or medical treatment. |
| Visa exempt | Citizens of Canada or Bermuda or residents of certain other islands described in 8 CFR 212.1a, do not need a visa. These applicants for F-1, F-3, or J-1 nonimmigrant status may apply at the Port-of-Entry. |