SEVIS
FEE REQUIREMENT: F-1 STUDENTS
Beginning
September 1, 2004, a new United States Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) rule goes into effect. This rule requires
F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time fee of $200 to supplement
the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange
Information System (SEVIS). The following information specifically
addresses fee issues for F-1 students.
Who
pays the SEVIS fee?
Will
other F-1 students in the US have to pay?
No,
unless the student’s circumstances change so that he or
she fits one of the categories mentioned above.
What
about my F-2 dependents?
F-2
dependents do not have to pay the fee, even if the I-20 that the
F-2 dependents use is issued on or after 9/1/2004
Do
I have to pay the fee if I transfer to another school, travel
outside the U.S. or renew my visa?
The
SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing
to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension,
renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical
training. If you are in status when you travel internationally
and are not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five
months, you will not be required to pay the fee.
When
do I pay the SEVIS fee?
The
fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for
your visa, or applying for admission at a US port-of-entry for
those exempt from the visa requirement. The fee must be
paid prior to submission of a change of status petition or reinstatement
application.
Can
I pay the SEVIS fee at a university, consulate or port of entry?
No.
At this time the SEVIS fee can only be processed by the Department
of Homeland Security via mail or the Internet.
How
do I pay the fee?
The
fee can be paid to the DHS by mail or online and must be accompanied
by a Form I-901. It can be paid by you or by a third party,
inside or outside the US.
To
Pay By Mail
-
Obtain
a Form
I-901 "Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and
M nonimmigrants."
-
Request
the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US)
- Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to
write your name exactly as it appears on your form I-20
-
Prepare
a check, international money order or foreign draft
(drawn on U.S. banks only) in the amount of $200 USD,
made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security"
- Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address
listed on Form I-901
- A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed
within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies
of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration
documents
To Pay Online
-
-
Complete
the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or
American Express information. Be sure to write your name
exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
-
Print
a copy of the online receipt
-
Be
sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other
important immigration documents
Will
the DHS keep a record of my payment on file?
Fee
payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS)
record but it is strongly recommended that you retain a copy of
your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.
I
applied to more than one school, and have more than one I-20 form.
What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school, and then I
change my mind and decide that I want to attend the other school?
Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes.
But you must submit the I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number that
you listed on the I-901 form. For change of status or reinstatement
applications, please see next question.
What
do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status or
reinstatement?
-
Students
who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadians, should
take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at
the port of entry with the appropriate I-20. It will not be
possible to pay the fee at the port of entry.
-
For
change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously
paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school,
you should submit a copy of that school’s I-20 form with
your application.
What
if my F-1 visa application is denied?
The
SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a
new F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have
to pay the fee again.
For
more information regarding the new SEVIS fee requirement or other
visa-related matters contact the Office of International Services
at 973-972-6138.
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