Please note the SEVIS fee must be paid before your interview at the mission. No visa will be issued without the receipt of payment of the SEVIS fee. For additional information about this program please see the website: http://www.ice.gov/sevis
What is the SEVIS Fee?
The Department of Homeland Security collects a congressionally mandated fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). International students and exchange visitors are subject to this fee, which is used to administer and maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), support compliance activities, and establish SEVIS Liaison Officers. Liaison Officers will serve as local resources for schools and students, providing timely and accurate program and reporting information and assistance.
SEVIS, the automated system for collecting, maintaining and managing information about foreign student and exchange visitors during their entry to, stay in, and exit from the United States, is used to record and track the I-901 fee payment.
Is the fee refundable?
The SEVIS fee is non-refundable, as explained on form I-901 when the fee is paid.
Who pays the fee?
Those who wish to enter the United States either as a student or an exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 will be required to pay the non-refundable SEVIS fee.
Who does not pay the fee?
- Students or exchange visitors who meet all of the following criteria:
- Started at a school or a program with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated before September 1, 2004;
- Have not completed a program, including students who transfer schools or changed program levels; and
- Have maintained status
- Spouses and dependent children who have an F-2, J-2 or M-2 visa.
- Applicants who paid the SEVIS I-901 fee, were denied a visa and are applying again for the same type of visa within 12 months of the date of the denial (exchange visitors must applying in the same category as the previous application and the SEVIS I-901 fee amount must be the same or less than the fee originally paid)
- Applicants who paid the SEVIS I-901 fee, were denied a change of status and are applying for a motion to reopen
- For M students who fell out of status, but who are applying for a reinstatement within five months of the status violation
- J exchange visitors who fall out of status for minor or technical reasons as defined by DOS at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/participation/change.htm
- Government sponsored exchange visitors who are participating in programs with a program code that begins with G-1, G-2 or G-3.
How much is the fee?
The new fee schedule goes into effect October 27, 2008. According to SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program), students who have paid their SEVIS fee before October 27, 2008 do not need to pay the higher amount, even if they have not traveled or applied for a visa yet.
Please note that this is a non-refundable fee!
|
Fees changes |
Previous Fee: |
New Fee: |
|
Nonimmigrant students |
$100 |
$200 |
|
Most exchange visitors |
$100 |
$180 |
|
Au Pair, Camp Counselors, Summer Work/Travel Program |
$35 |
$35 |
|
Government sponsored exchange visitors |
$0 |
$0 |
|
School Certification |
$230 |
$1,700 |
|
School site visit |
$350 |
$655 |
|
Recertification of SEVP certified schools |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Petitions for change in ownership of certified SEVP schools |
$230 |
$1,700 |
|
Additional campus site visit |
$350 |
$655 |
To find out in which program the applicant is enrolled he has to check his DS-2019 point 4 “Exchange Visitor Category”. If it says summer work/travel program, Au pair program or Camp counselor program he has to pay only $35.
When do prospective students or exchange visitors pay the non – refundable SEVIS fee?
· Applicants who require a visa to enter the United States must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy for their visa interview.
· Applicants who are citizens of Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas and residents of certain other islands wishing to apply for F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the United States must pay and process the SEVIS fee before appearing at the Port of Entry.
· Non immigrants currently in the United States who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application.
How is the fee paid?
· The fee is paid through the Internet at www.FMJfee.com by using a credit card and completing the online Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Non immigrants); or
· Through the mail by submitting a completed Form I-901 and a check or money order drawn on a U.S. Bank and payable in U.S. currency and sent to the DHS address listed on the Form I-901; or
· By a third party such as a school or sponsor; or
· By selected sponsors of an exchange program by submitting a bulk or group payment.
· By Western Union (Quick Pay), see Western Union (Quick Pay) payment instructions on www.ice.gov.
When must the fee be paid?
The fee must be paid sufficiently in advance of the interview to ensure that the payment can be deposited and recorded in SEVIS prior to the scheduled visa interview. The interviewing consular officer will confirm that the fee has been paid by accessing SEVIS. To allow for adequate processing time the fee must be paid:
· At any time prior to the visa interview date for electronic submissions. If you file your Form I-901 online and pay with a credit or debit card, you can print a receipt immediately. You will also receive a receipt printed on a Form I-797 in the mail. If you choose the option to pay by check or money order you must print out the receipt and allow for approximately two weeks for the payment to arrive at DHS and two weeks for you to receive the receipt in the mail.
· At least two weeks before the scheduled visa interview for mail submissions to allow for delivery at the DHS address listed on the Form I-901. This time frame allows the fee payment to be deposited and recorded in SEVIS. Please allow for two additional weeks in order to receive the paper receipt before the interview.
How will the payment be verified?
· The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. However, it is recommended that the paper I-797 or the Internet generated receipt be brought to the visa interview.
· Individuals who file electronically will be able to print an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment
· DHS will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) for every payment received.
· Individuals may request Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt at an additional cost of $30.
Continuing Students
F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 non immigrants that have begun, but not finished, a program must pay the SEVIS fee before:
· Filing an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than 5 months; or
· When applying for a new visa or returning to the United States after an absence of more than 5 months that did not involve authorized overseas study; or
· When filing an application for a change of status to an F, M, or J classification except for changes between F-1 and F-3 or between M-1 and M-3.
Continuing Exchange Visitors
J-1 non immigrants who have begun, but not finished a program must pay the SEVIS fee before:
· Filing a reinstatement application after a substantive violation; or
· Filing a reinstatement application after they have been out of status between 121 and 269 days; or
· 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).
Additional Information
Internet: www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/sevis/index.htm
Phone: 800.892.4829
Email: SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov
If you have additional questions about the I-901 fee, please contact the SEVP program office by phone at 800.892.4829.
To contact the SEVIS Help Desk send e-mail to SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov.