Nonimmigrant Visas

SEVIS Fee

I-901 SEVIS Fee for F, M, & J Nonimmigrant Students 
& Exchange Visitors

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security collects a Congressionally-mandated fee to cover the costs for the operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Most international students and exchange visitors are required to pay 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 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.

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 dated on or after September 1, 2004.  The fee is nonrefundable, regardless of whether the visa is issued.

Who does not pay the fee?

Participants of federally-sponsored exchange visitor programs, which are designated by program codes beginning with G-1, G-2, or G-3, are not required to pay this fee.  Also, spouses and dependent children of students (F-2, M-2) or exchange visitors (J-2) are not required to pay this fee.

How much is the fee?

• Students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3): $100
• Exchange visitors (J-1): $100, unless the exchange visitor is participating in a federally-sponsored exchange visitor program, identified as those with program codes starting with G-1, G-2, or G-3
• Summer work/travel program: $35
• Au pair program: $35
• Camp counselor program: $35

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

• Applicants who require a visa to enter the United States must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interviews.
• Nonimmigrants currently in the United States who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee before filing their change of status application.

How is the fee paid?

• The fastest and easiest way is to pay through the Internet by using a credit card and completing the Form I-901 online.
• If for any reason you cannot pay online, then you can download the Form I-901 here and mail the completed form along with a check or money order (drawn on a U.S. Bank and payable in U.S. currency) to the address listed on the form.
• It is permissible for a third party such as a school or sponsor to make the payment for you.
• It is also permissible for selected sponsors of exchange programs to submit a bulk or group payment.
• Note: the fee cannot be paid at the Embassy's Consular Section.

When must the fee be paid?

The fee must be paid early enough to ensure that the payment can be deposited and recorded in SEVIS before 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 least three business days prior to the visa interview date for electronic submissions.
• For submissions by mail, please allow sufficient time for delivery to the DHS address listed on the Form I-901, as well as additional time to allow the fee payment to be deposited and recorded in SEVIS before the visa 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.

• DHS will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) for every payment received.
• Individuals who file electronically will be able to print an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment.
• Individuals may request Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt at an additional cost of $30.

When must continuing students pay the SEVIS fee?

Continuing students are those in F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 status, who have begun but not yet finished a program.

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; or
• 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
• 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.

When must continuing exchange visitors pay the SEVIS fee?

Continuing exchange visitors are those in J-1 status who have begun but not yet finished a program.

Continuing exchange visitors 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 is information available at:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVIS Page