The Student Visa Integrity Act of 2025 seeks to significantly reform and strengthen the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) by enhancing program integrity, national security, and accountability. It introduces new requirements for educational institutions, foreign students, and program officials.

The bill mandates that academic institutions participating in F, M, or J visa programs must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency, with limited, temporary waivers available. It also increases criminal penalties for visa fraud committed by institution personnel to 15 years and requires institutions to report the date full tuition is paid by foreign students.

Institutions seeking SEVP certification must disclose any contracts or financial ties with entities funded by the Government of the People's Republic of China. Failure to comply with SEVIS reporting requirements will result in monetary fines, suspension of document issuance authority, or termination of program approval, with specific penalties for non-compliance related to PRC affiliations.

The legislation requires thorough eligibility reviews, including criminal and immigration status checks, for all school officials accessing SEVIS, ensuring they are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. It also mandates that direct and third-party promoters and recruiters for approved institutions register with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and adhere to prescribed rules and standards.

The bill replaces the "duration of status" for F, J, and M visa holders with a definite period of authorized stay, generally not exceeding four years, plus a 30-day post-study period. It imposes a two-year maximum stay for students from countries with high overstay rates or state sponsors of terrorism, and for those attending institutions not participating in E-Verify.

Significantly, the bill prohibits nationals from designated countries of concern (e.g., Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, state sponsors of terrorism) from studying nuclear science, nuclear engineering, or participating in flight training. Furthermore, it broadly excludes citizens of foreign adversary countries, including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and the Maduro Regime in Venezuela, from participating in any coursework at U.S. higher education institutions.

Online or distance education is limited to 10% of an alien student's class time or credits per session and overall. The bill also mandates the deployment of SEVIS II within two years, aiming for a paperless, person-centric recordkeeping system to improve tracking and management of nonimmigrant students.

Employers of F, J, or M students are required to be E-Verify participants, report employment details and changes within 48 hours, and attest that the student will not displace a U.S. worker. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to bans on employing foreign students.

Accrediting agencies must notify DHS and DOS of any accreditation withdrawals or terminations, which will lead to the termination of an institution's SEVP approval. Additionally, consular officers must review a pamphlet on protections for nonimmigrants with visa applicants before issuing F, J, or M visas.