§1761 Foreign Student Monitoring Program

Summary

Before giving certain student or exchange visas (F, M, and some J visas), applicants must give a consular officer basic personal and contact details: their address in their home country; names and addresses of spouse, children, parents, and siblings; names of people in their country who can confirm their information; and any past work history with employer names and addresses. Starting within 120 days after May 14, 2002 and until the electronic system in section 1372 is fully working, extra rules apply. A visa cannot be issued unless the State Department has electronic proof from an approved school that the person was accepted and the consular officer has reviewed the visa record. When a visa is issued, the State Department must tell the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). When the person is admitted, INS must tell the school. If a student fails to enroll by 30 days after the class registration deadline, the school must notify INS through data sharing. Within 30 days after May 14, 2002, the Attorney General must give the State Department a list of approved schools. Money may be appropriated as needed to carry out these rules.