SEVIS I-901 Fee
Effective September 1, 2004, the United States Department of Homeland Security requires the collection of a one-time SEVIS fee of $200 from new F-1 students. The fee is being collected to help cover the costs of administering and maintaining the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States. SEVIS is administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The mission of SEVIS is to balance Homeland Security with facilitating foreign student and exchange visitor participation in America’s outstanding academic and cultural exchange programs.
Who needs to pay the SEVIS fee?
Prospective Students:
- Prospective F-1 students who are applying for an “initial” F-1 visa from outside the U.S.
- Prospective F-1 students who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category.
- Canadian citizens who are seeking to enter the U.S. to become F-1 students.
Current Students:
- Current F-1 students in the U.S. applying for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months.
- Current F-1 students who have been absent from the United States for more than 5 months and need a new F-1 visa to enter the U.S.
Who does not need to pay the SEVIS fee?
Continuing Students:
- Program extensions.
- Transfers to other schools
- Transfers to other programs.
- F-1 visa renewal or extension.
Others:
- Spouse and children applying for an F-2 visa are NOT required to pay the SEVIS fee.
When do you pay the SEVIS fee?
- Please pay the SEVIS fee 3 business days prior to applying for your visa or applying for admission at a U.S. port of entry for those exempt from the visa requirement.
- For students in the U.S., please pay the fee prior to the submission of a change of status petition or reinstatement application.
How do you pay the SEVIS fee?
Pay the fee online with a credit card at: www.FMJfee.com
- Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
- Print out the Form I-797 Receipt Notice for your records and present it to the U.S. Embassy when applying for your visa.
- To pay by mail or through a third party, please visit www.FMJfee.com for more information.
What if my F1 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.
