I-901 SEVIS Fee for F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an automated process for collecting, maintaining and managing information about international foreign students, exchange visitors and their dependents during their stay in the United States. The I-901 SEVIS Fee covers the costs for this system. This fee is separate from the visa application fee.

SEVIS Fee Cost

For F-1 Students: $200
For J-1 Exchange Visitors: $180
For F-2/J-2 Spouses and Dependent Children: None

Options for Payment

• Electronically, by completing Form I-901, Fee Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Non-immigrants, through the Internet (https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.jsp) using a credit card.
• Through the mail, by submitting Form I-901 (http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/I-901.pdf) with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency.
• School/Sponsors/Third party payments allowed.
• To ensure electronic verification of the fee payment at the consular office, non-immigrants paying the fee electronically or by mail must submit the fee before the scheduled visa interview to the DHS address listed on the Form I-901, 3-5 business days for electronic payments and 15 days for payments submitted by mail. This will allow time for the fee to be deposited and payment recorded in SEVIS.

Receipts

• DHS will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) acknowledging every payment regardless of payment method. Make copies of your receipt, and keep one with your permanent immigration records.
• Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt may be requested at additional cost.
• Anyone who submits an individual fee electronically will be able to print out an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment for use in advance of the mail delivery of the official paper receipt. The printed electronic confirmation will be acceptable to take to your visa interview and to enter the United States. The non-immigrant student does not have to wait for the updated/hard copy receipt to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which prospective students or exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee?

• Those who wish to either enter the U.S. as a student or exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated after September 1, 2004, except for those participating in a fee exempt exchange visitor program. Fee exempt exchange visitor program codes start with G-1, G-2, or G-3 and G-7.
• Those who are in the U.S. and wish to change to a student or exchange visitor status from another non-immigrant status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides for the collection of a Congressionally mandated fee to be paid by certain aliens who are seeking status as non-immigrant students (visa categories F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3) or as non-immigrant exchange visitors (visa category J-1).

When do prospective students or exchange visitors pay the SEVIS fee?

• Applicants needing a visa to enter the U.S. must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interview.
• Applicants who are citizens of Canada or Bermuda or residents of certain other islands described in 8CFR 212.1a wishing to apply for F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the U.S. must pay the SEVIS fee before entering the U.S.
• Non-immigrants currently in the U.S. who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application.

When must continuing students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 non-immigrants that have begun, but not finished, a program) pay the SEVIS fee?

Continuing students must pay the SEVIS fee before:
• Filing an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than 5 months.
• Applying for a new visa or returning to the U.S. after an absence of 5 months or more that did not involve authorized overseas study.
• Filing an application for a change of status except for changes between F-1 and F-3 or between M-1 and M-3.

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:

• Filing a reinstatement application after a substantive violation.
• Filing a reinstatement application after a substantive violation after they have been out of status between 121 and 269 days.
• 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 and G-7).
For the most up to date information on the I-901 SEVIS Fee for F-1 and J-1 Students, please access the USCIS website at, http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/090104_fs.htm