SEVIS Report: Record Number of Student Visa Holders in 2024

In June 2025, ICE released its 2024 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by the Numbers Report. This report includes data on international student enrollment at US educational institutions and work authorization for students employed by US companies.

International students are eligible to study in the US on the F-1 visa. As indicated in the report, most F-1 visa holders at universities major in computer science, information technology, and engineering fields. However, students seeking careers in healthcare may study in associate’s, bachelor’s and even master’s programs in majors like Nursing, Medical Technology, and Physical Therapy.

Both Enrollment and Employment Increased in 2024

Foreign student enrollment in the US increased once again in 2024. Over 1.5 million students held active immigration records at US schools in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.

Work authorization is available to certain F-1 students. SEVIS's report states:

• 381,140 students were authorized to work for US employers in 2024.
• Work authorization participation increased by 21% for students enrolled in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is one type of work authorization for students. OPT participation has now increased four years in a row.
• Work authorization participation increased 54% for students enrolled in STEM OPT (an extension of OPT for students studying in qualifying STEM degree fields).

In 2024, Amazon was the top employer among all F-1 students with work authorization, with tech giants Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla also among the companies employing the highest numbers of foreign students.

Conclusion

Though scrutiny of student visa issuance has increased as a result of Trump Administration policies in 2025 (as discussed in an MU blog post earlier this year), US universities and employers demonstrated heavy engagement with international students in 2024.

Student visas remain prevalent in the US, and major US employers continue to seek work-authorized foreign student employees. 

F-1 Visa Alert

On April 9, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced it will begin reviewing social media posts of foreign students, specifically focusing on antisemitic content. At the same time, there have been increasing reports of F-1 student visa revocations.  We understand this may be concerning, and we want to share guidance to help you stay informed and compliant. Please read the following carefully.

What Does It Mean if My Visa is Revoked?

If your visa is revoked, you should receive an official notice from the U.S. Department of State. Remember, visa revocation affects your ability to enter the U.S., not your ability to stay here.  Your immigration status (your right to live and work in the U.S.) is based on your SEVIS record and I-94 card, which are handled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Do I Need to Leave the U.S. if My Visa is Revoked?

Not necessarily. As long as your SEVIS record and I-94 remain valid, you can legally live and work in the U.S. even if your visa has been revoked. However, be aware that ICE may begin deportation proceedings in some cases. If that happens, your SEVIS record will be terminated, and you will receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) with a date, time, and location for your immigration court hearing.

What Happens if My SEVIS Record is Terminated? 

• You immediately lose F-1 status and work authorization.
• You may no longer remain in the U.S. legally.
• Any F-2 dependents also lose their immigration status.

You should be notified by your Designated School Official (DSO), but we strongly recommend checking your SEVIS record regularly to catch any changes early.

What You Should Do Now:

1. Check your SEVIS record regularly.  Make sure your SEVIS record stays active and that you are meeting all F-1 requirements (enrollment, attendance, tuition payments, etc.). 

2. Review your social media activity. Avoid content that could be interpreted as antisemitic or critical of the U.S. or the Trump Administration. Assume your accounts will be reviewed carefully. 

3. Consider your criminal history. Students with any arrest record—no matter how minor or whether charges were dropped—may face increased risk under current immigration enforcement practices.

4. Know your legal options. If your SEVIS record has been terminated, there are lawsuits challenging the government's procedure of SEVIS termination. If you are interested in joining one of these lawsuits, please contact your MU attorney.

If you have specific questions or concerns about your situation, do not hesitate to reach out to your MU attorney directly.

PRESIDENT TRUMP RESCINDS GUIDANCE REQUIRING IN-PERSON CLASSES FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

The Trump administration is rescinding its new guidance blocking international students from staying in the United States while taking only online classes. 

The U.S. District Court Judge announced July 14, 2020 that the government and plaintiffs had reached a resolution in a lawsuit brought by Harvard University and MIT.

The Trump Administration will rescind its July 6 rule that said foreign students on F-1 visas would need to take at least some in-person courses in order to legally remain in the U.S. for the fall 2020 semester.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia had sued the Trump Administration over the guidance.  The Trump Administration received heavy criticism from both colleges and universities as well as members of Congress for the policy.  Late last week 99 members of Congress sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Customs Enforcement urging the agencies to withdraw the new guidance. 

SEVP ANNOUNCES STUDENTS MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE US IF ENROLLED IN A FULLY ONLINE SCHOOL OR PROGRAM FOR FALL 2020 SEMESTER

On July 6, 2020, ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), announced that for the Fall 2020 semester, it would prohibit F-1 students from attending fully online schools or programs and taking a full online course load in the United States. Students attending fully online schools or programs may only do so from outside the U.S., but can remain Active in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

If a student is outside the U.S., he or she may not enter the U.S. on F-1 status if the student’s school or program is operating entirely online. This applies even if a student has already obtained a Form I-20 for the Fall 2020 semester.

A student may study in the U.S. if they transfer to a school that consists entirely of in-person classes or a hybrid model (combination of both in-person and online classes). However, the student must depart the U.S. or transfer again if the school changes to a fully online model at any point during the Fall 2020 semester. If students are not in compliance with the new guidance, deportation proceedings may be initiated against them.

By August 4, 2020, designated school officials (DSOs) must update and reissue ALL Form I-20s that have been issued for the Fall 2020 Semester to certify the school meets the requirements of the new guidance.

DHS will publish this rule shortly which could clarify some of the situations faced by students that are not addressed in ICE’s press release. In particular, the current guidance does not address the effect of the new guidance on students employed on Optional Practical Training (OPT).  On July 8, Harvard and MIT filed a lawsuit against DHS and ICE seeking a temporary restraining order of the new guidance, and on July 9, 99 members of Congress sent a letter to DHS and ICE urging the agencies to withdraw the new guidance.