What is SEVIS?
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Information System) is an 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. It is also used to record
and track the I-901 fee payments.
What is the SEVIS Fee?
The Department of Homeland Security collects a congressionally
mandated fee to cover the costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor
Program (SEVP, Student and Exchange Visitor Program). 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 are local resources
for schools and students, providing timely and accurate programs
information and rendering assistance.
Is the SEVIS fee refundable?
The SEVIS fee is non-refundable.
Who Has to Pay The Fee?
Since September 1, 2004, it has been mandatory for student or
foreign exchange visitors traveling to the United States for the
first time to pay the SEVIS fee with the I-20 form or the DS-2019
form.
Participants in visitor programs which are financed by the US
government, with a program number of G1, G2 or G3, will not have
to pay this fee. The spouse and or dependent child of a (F2, M-2)
student or exchange visitor (J-2) also do not pay this fee.
Students continuing with their study course
You should pay the SEVIS fee if:
• Students that have not previously paid the SEVIS fee
with an I-20 form issued after September 1, 2004, should pay the
SEVIS fee;
• Students with F1 or F3 visas that want to change their
status to M1 or M3 or J1 need to pay the SEVIS fee before adjusting
status;
• Students with M1 or M3 visas that wish to change their
status to J1 need to pay the SEVIS fee before adjusting status;
• Students that have been out of status for more than 5
months need to pay the SEVIS fee before initiating the readmission
procedure;
• Students that have been out of the United States for
longer than 5 months and that have not participated in authorized
study programs outside of the United States, are no longer considered
continuing students will need to fill out a new I-20 form and
pay the SEVIS fee again.
• Students that do not maintain status or do not complete
their previous study program are not considered continuing students
and will need to fill out a new I-20 form and pay the SEVIS fee
again.
Exchange Visitors that wish to continue with their program
Should pay the SEVIS fee:
• You don not need to pay the SEVIS fee before if your
DS-2019 form was issued before the September 1, 2004 or have participated
or are participating in a program promoted by the government and
whose codes begin with G-1, G2 or G3.
• People that participate in an Exchange program that wish
to change categories need to pay the SEVIS fee and then request
to change their category.
• For the people that have completed their exchange program
and wish to participate in a different one; they will need to
fill out a new DS-2019 form and pay the SEVIS fee again, unless
the new program starts with a G1, G2 or G3.
• People that have participated in an Exchange Program,
and are requesting a readmission to the program because they have
committed a violation or have been out of status for 121 or 269
days will need to pay the SEVIS fee again before requesting readmission
to the program.
• For the people that participate in the Exchange program
and do not keep their status up to date before they leave the
United States will no longer be considered Exchange visitors that
are continuing with their program and for this reason they will
need to fill out the DS-2019 form again and re-pay the SEVIS fee,
unless the new program begins with a G1, G2 or G3.
How much is the fee?
| Students (F1, F3, M1, or M3) | | $200 USD |
|
| Spouses and dependent children (F2, M2, or J2) | | - 0 - |
|
| Exchange visitors (J1)* | | $180 USD |
| *unless participating in: | | |
| - Federally sponsored exchange visitor program (program codes G1 – 3) | | - 0 - |
| - Summer work/travel program (J1) | | $35 USD |
| - Au pair program (J1) | | $35 USD |
| - Camp counselor program (J1) | | $35 USD |
When do 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 embassy of the United States
for their visa interview.
Applicants who are citizens of Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas and residents
of certain other islands wishing to apply for F1, F3, M1, M3,
or J1 status at a Port of Entry into the United States must pay
and process the SEVIS fee before arriving at the Port of Entry.
Non immigrants currently in the United States who want to 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 can be paid through:
• Internet at www.FMJfee.com
by using a credit card and completing the online I-901 Form.
• Western Union branch:
- World Trade Center –
Montevideo Shopping
- 21 de Setiembre at Ellauri
- 18 de Julio at Rio Negro
Payment is in cash.
An additional fee of $16 USD applies. Telephone: 0800-2026
• A third party such as a school or sponsor;
• By selected sponsors of an exchange program by submitting
a bulk or group payment
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 the
SEVIS prior to the 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:
1. At any time prior to the visa interview date for electronic
submissions. If you file your I-901 form online and pay with a
credit or debit card, you can print a receipt immediately. You
will also receive a receipt printed on the I-797 form in the mail.
2. In the case that you have paid in Western Union, at any moment
before the interview. They should give you a receipt which you
should bring to the interview.
How is the payment verified?
The payment is registered in the SEVIS system. Nevertheless,
it is recommended that you bring a receipt of the I-797 or a copy
of the form that you printed off the internet to the visa interview.
Applicants can request express delivery service of the I-797
receipt for an additional cost of $30 USD.
If you need more information:
Internet: www.ice.gov/sevis
Telephone: 800.892.4829
E-mail: SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov
