Admissions

New SEVIS Fee Requirement: F-1 Students

Beginning September 1, 2004, a new United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule went into effect. This rule requires F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time fee of $100 to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). The following information specifically addresses fee issues for F-1 students.

F-1 Students Not Required to Pay the SEVIS Fee

1. Continuing F-1’s: No SEVIS fee is due for F-1 students whose program began BEFORE September 1, 2004, who maintain that status, and who’s initial Form I-20 was issued before September 1, 2004.

2. F-2 dependents: Are not required to apply a separate SEVIS fee in order to obtain an F-2 status or during the time the F-1 remains in that status.

3. Transferring schools, changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical training.

4. If you are in status when you travel internationally and ARE NOT physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.

F-1 Students Who Are Required to Pay the SEVIS Fee

1. Prospective students with “initial attendance” I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for an “initial ” F-1 visa from outside the US.

2. Prospective students with “initial attendance” I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category

3. Current F-1 students in the U.S. filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months, and who are issued an I-20 issued for reinstatement that is dated on or after 9/1/04

4. Canadian’s do have to pay the fee if they fit into the 3 items above. You must pay the fee and bring the receipt to the border with you. Allow at least 3 business days for processing.

When do I pay the SEVIS fee?

The fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for your visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy, or applying for admission at a U.S. port-of-entry for those exempt from the visa requirement.
The fee must be paid prior to submission of a change of status petition or reinstatement application.

1. Applying for the F-1 visa abroad: The SEVIS fee should be processed by DHS at least 3 business days prior to the consular interview. Fees will not be payable at the consulate. The following steps are a guideline for obtaining an F-1 visa from abroad:

a. Receive Form I-20 from school you want to attend.
b. Make visa appointment with U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
c. Submit SEVIS fee payment in time to allow DHS to process payment at least 3 days prior to visa interview.
d. Print SEVIS fee payment receipt from Internet or wait to receive form I-797 receipt from DHS via mail and submit receipt with visa application.
e. Receive F-1 visa stamp in passport from U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
f. Enter U.S. no more than 30 days PRIOR to the start date indicated on the I-20.
g. Report to the International Services for Students & Scholars (ISSS) to validate program no later than 30 days AFTER the start date indicated on the I-20.

2. Entering U.S. by individuals exempt from the visa requirement: The SEVIS fee should be processed at least 3 business days prior to applying for admission at a U.S. port-of-entry by non-immigrants, who are exempt from the visa requirement (i.e., citizens from Canada, Bermuda, and other island countries listed in 8 CFR 212.1).

3. Changing status to F-1: A non-immigrant in the United States seeking a change of status to F-1 student must pay the SEVIS fee prior to submitting the application to USCIS for change of non-immigrant status.

4. Applying for reinstatement: A F-1 student or scholar, who is applying for reinstatement after a substantive violation or who has been out of program status for longer than 120 days, but less than 270 days during the course of his or her program, must pay the SEVIS fee prior to applying to the Department of Homeland Security for reinstatement to F-1 status.

Note: SEVIS fees are transferable. If an applicant pays the SEVIS fee in connection with a previously issued I-20/SEVIS ID number other than the one associated with the document that s/he actually uses to apply for a benefit (new F-1 visa, change of status, reinstatement), it is strongly recommended that s/he submit a copy of the I-20 that is connected to the paid SEVIS fee, in addition to the original current I-20.

How do I pay the fee?

The SEVIS fee must be paid directly to the DHS by completing Form I-901 electronically using the Internet. Or by Mail or Western Union “Quick Pay” and must be accompanied by a Form I-901. It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the U.S.

To Pay Online – make sure you have immediate access to a printer
1. Find the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com.
2. Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. *Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
3. Print a copy of the online receipt.
4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents

To Pay By Mail
1. Obtain a Form I-901 “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrant.”
• Download the form from www.FMJfee.com
• Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US)
2. Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
3. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only1) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security”
4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901.
5. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents

1Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank. You may therefore obtain a check from: a) a bank chartered or operated in the United States; b) a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. bank, or c) a foreign bank that has an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.

To Pay by Western Union “Quick Pay”
1. For information go to the Web site www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/wu_fm_inter.htm
2. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20
3. Be sure to write out in words the dollar amount.

Can I speed up the process?

Yes, you can pay $30.00 more to have the receipt sent to you expedite delivery.

Receipt of payment: DHS will issue and mail 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.

Questions and Answers

1. Can I pay the SEVIS fee at a university, consulate or port of entry?
No. At this time the SEVIS fee can only be processed by the Department of Homeland Security via mail or the Internet.

2. Will the DHS keep a record of my payment on file?
Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record but it is strongly recommended that you retain a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.

3. I applied to more than one school, and have more than one I-20 form. What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school, and then I change my mind and decide that I want to attend the other school? Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes. But you must submit the I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number that you listed on the I-901 form with you to the U.S. consulate/embassy.

4. Will other F-1 students in the US have to pay?
No, unless the student’s circumstances change so that he or she fits one of the categories mentioned above.

5. What about my F-2 dependents?
F-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee, even if the I-20 that the F-2 dependents use is issued on or after 9/1/2004

6. Do I have to pay if I transfer to another school, travel outside the US or renew my visa?
NO. The SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical training. If you are in status when you travel internationally and are not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.

7. I’m Canadian do I have to pay the fee?
Yes, you must pay the fee and bring the receipt to the border with you. Allow at least 3 business days for processing

8. What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status or reinstatement?
• Obtain the appropriate Form I-20 from a DHS-approved school.
• Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or online.
• Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online) for your records.
• Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa, change of status or reinstatement application OR
• Students who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadians, should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of entry with the appropriate I-20. It will not be possible to pay the fee at the port of entry.
• For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school, you should submit a copy of that school’s I-20 form with your application.

9. What if my F-1 visa application is denied?
The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.

10. Can another person (friend or family) make the payment for an exchange visitor by any of the two methods mentioned earlier?
Yes, anyone can make the payment but you must make sure the name that is put on the application matches the Form DS-2019 and all other information is correct.

For more information regarding the new SEVIS fee requirement or other visa-related matters, contact International Services for Student & Scholar (ISSS) office.