This bill, the Student Visa Integrity Act of 2025, makes many changes to how the United States admits and oversees nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. It requires most academic institutions and language programs to be accredited or seek accreditation, increases criminal penalties for visa-related fraud in certain cases, and strengthens data reporting and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) requirements. The bill adds new background checks and eligibility reviews for school officials, sets limits on online coursework and total periods of stay for students, restricts flight training providers unless FAA-certified, and authorizes more fines and sanctions for schools that fail to meet reporting rules. It also includes country-based visa restrictions for certain fields of study and for nationals of listed "foreign adversary" countries. The bill requires modernization of SEVIS ("SEVIS II"), allows fees to recover implementation costs, and orders a Government Accountability Office report on implementation.
If you are an international student: schools must be accredited (with limited waivers) to issue student documents. Your total authorized stay will have a stated end date (generally no longer than your program or 4 years) and you may have limits on online classes (no more than 10% per session or program counted as online). Some fields (flight training, nuclear studies, energy-related programs for Iran) and students from certain countries face visa restrictions or additional screening. Students must have documentation showing tuition payment date when required.
If you are a school official or program manager: you may need to be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and pass background checks and training to serve in covered roles. Institutions must report more information to DHS, may face fines (not less than $1,000) or suspension/termination of their ability to issue I-20/DS-2019 documents for noncompliant reporting, and must disclose specified financial relationships with entities funded by the Government of the People's Republic of China when petitioning for SEVP certification.
If you are an employer of a student: employers must be enrolled in and in good standing with the electronic employment verification program and report job details (position, worksite, wage) and certain employment events to the student's school. Employers must attest the student will not replace U.S. workers and that employment terms are comparable to U.S. workers.
If you are a recruiter or promoter: recruiters must register with ICE, meet minimum qualifications, follow representation and fee rules, and have written agreements with institutions. Violations can lead to suspension or permanent bar from association with approved institutions.
No publicly available information.