USCIS — The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is the new agency that replaced the INS

(Immigration & Naturalization Service). This agency creates and administers the federal immigration regulations that pertain to international student visa holders. The USCIS is housed under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) whereas the INS was housed under the Department of Justice (DOJ).

SEVIS — The Students Exchange Visitor Information System is the federal government’s electronic record keeping and reporting system. All schools must use SEVIS to report enrollment information for F-1 students.

F-1 Student — A full-time degree-seeking international student who was issued a Form I-20 for the F-1 student visa and who must abide by all F-1 status rules, regulations, and procedures. The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa.

Social Security Number — social security regulations require that you have authorization for employment from ISS and USCIS (U.S. Customs and Immigration Service) before you can apply for a social security number.