SEVIS
OVERVIEW
SEVIS,
the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a central
computerized system that maintains and manages data about foreign
students (F-1), exchange visitors (J-1), and their dependents
(F-2 and J-2) during their stay in the United States. The
SEVIS program was implemented in 2003 for all international students
and scholars.
The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the implementation
of a new fee to begin this fall for all new F-1 and J-1
applicants. The fee is required under SEVIS regulations
and is to be used to cover the costs of the operation of the program.
The rule that implements this fee went into effect September 1,
2004.
Who
must pay the fee?
F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors beginning new
programs with documents (I-20 forms for F-1s, DS-2019 forms for
J-1s) issued on or after September 1, 2004,
will be required to pay fee before applying for a visa.
Those non-immigrants already in the United States in another immigration
status will be required to pay the fee before applying for a change
of status to F-1 or J-1. Canadians will be required
to pay before going to a US Port of Entry. The
fee can not be paid at the port of entry. The SEVIS fee is in addition to any other application fees.
Exemptions
from the fee:
F-2 and J-2 dependents are exempt from the fee.
J-1 visitors whose DS-2019s are issued by the U.S. government
are also exempt.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
Which
prospective students or exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee?
-
Individuals
who are in the U.S. and wish to change to student (F-1) or exchange
visitor (J-1) status from another non-immigrant status with
a form I-20 or DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004.
(e.g., from B-2 to F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor status)
When
are prospective students or exchange visitors required to pay
the SEVIS fee?
When
must continuing F-1 students pay the SEVIS fee?
Continuing
students must pay the SEVIS fee before:
When
must continuing exchange visitors (J-1 non-immigrants who have
begun, but not finished a program) pay the SEVIS fee?
Continuing
exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee before:
-
Applying for a change of exchange visitor category, unless the
new exchange visitor category is fee exempt (federally sponsored
programs with program codes that start with G-1, G-2, or G-3).
How
does one pay the fee?
To
Pay By Mail
-
Obtain
a Form
I-901 “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M nonimmigrants”
Download the form; or
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 the form I-20 or DS-2019 form
-
Prepare
a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on
US banks only) in the amount of $200 USD for F-1 and $180 for J-1, made payable to “The
Department of Homeland Security"
- Mail the completed I-901 and payment to:
(P.O. Box listed on Form I-901)
-
A
Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed to you 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
-
Find
the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com.
-
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 or DS-2019 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
In
the case of a new student applying to more than one school, is
the SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that fee payment
made on one SEVIS ID number (i.e. I-20 form) can be applied to
another SEVIS ID number issued to the same individual. The
new student will need to bring in proof of the SEVIS ID number
connected to the SEVIS fee - i.e. the unused I-20 or DS-2019.
SEVIS
FEE CHART
Fee
Required |
Amount |
|
|
F-1
or F-3 academic student applying for "initial status"
from outside the US |
$200 |
F-1
or F-3 academic student applying for reinstatement after
being out of status more than five months |
$200 |
|
|
M-1
or M-3 vocational student |
$200 |
|
|
Spouse
or dependent child of F, M or J visitor (F-2, M-2, J-2)
*Dependents
are not charged but proof of payment by the primary visa
holder (F-1, J-1, M-1) is required for applications using
I-20s/DS-2019s dated on or after 9/1/04. |
None* |
|
|
J-1
exchange visitor, standard student or research scholar program |
$180 |
J-1
exchange visitor violating status and cannot or does not
resume status in the same program |
$180 |
J-1
exchange visitor changing to another program or program
category (such as student to research scholar) |
$180 |
J-1
exchange visitor participating in federally sponsored program
(designated G-1, G-2 or G-3) |
None |
J-1
exchange visitor participating in summer work/travel program |
$35 |
J-1
exchange visitor participating in au pair program |
$35 |
J-1
exchange visitor participating in camp counselor program |
$35 |
|
|
Student
or exchange visitors applying for a change of status to
F, M or J programs |
$180 |
|