SEVIS: An Introduction

(The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is an Internet-based system that allows educational institutions, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Consulates to track, monitor, access and exchange the most accurate and current data on the visa status of international students and their dependents. Accurate and current information is transmitted electronically throughout an F-1 student’s academic career in the United States.

What is the SEVIS Fee?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires the collection of a fee to be paid by certain aliens who are seeking status as nonimmigrant students. The purpose of this fee is to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), including the administration and maintenance of SEVIS, compliance activities, and the establishment of SEVIS Liaison officers. These SEVIS Liaison Officers will be a local resource for schools and students, providing timely and accurate information or assistance in meeting the requirements of the program.

SEVIS Fee Cost

  • F-1 Student --- $100.00
  • Spouse --- None
  • Children --- None

Are all students required to pay SEVIS Fee?

  1. No, the new students who enter the U.S. with an initial I-20 dated after September 1, 2004, will be required to pay for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
  2. Non-immigrants currently in the U.S. who apply for F-1 student status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application.

Continuing students must pay the fee before filing an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than five months. Also the continuing students must pay the fee before applying for a new visa or returning to the U.S. after an absence of five months or more that did not involve authorized overseas study.

Options of Payment

  1. Electronically by completing Form I-901 through the Internet (www.FMJfee.com) using a credit card.
  2. Through the mail, by submitting Form I-901, together with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. Currency.
  3. 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 at least three business days before the scheduled visa interview to the DHS address listed on the Form I-901. 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.
  • Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt may be requested at an 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.