NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Student and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa) applicants with I-20 or DS-2019 forms
issued on or after September 1, 2004 are required to pay a SEVIS fee before
applying for the visa. Persons with I-20 or DS-2019 forms issued before that
date are not subject to the SEVIS fee, even if they apply for a visa after
September 1.
WHAT IS A SEVIS FEE?
It is a one-time fee charged to F, M and J visa applicants to cover the cost of administering the
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
WHO PAYS THE FEE?
F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa applicants with I-20 or DS-2019 forms issued on or after September 1, 2004.
WHO DOES NOT PAY THE FEE?
Derivative F-2, M-2 or J-2 visas applicants, individuals participating in U.S. government
sponsored programs with a prefix G-1, G-2 or G-3, and those with I-20 or DS-2019
forms issued before September 1, 2004.
HOW MUCH IS THE FEE?
$200 for “F” and “M” visas. $180 for most of Exchange visitors. However, certain
short-term exchange visitor (au-pairs, summer work/travel and camp counselors)
pay a reduced fee of $35.00.
WHEN AND HOW MUST THE FEE BE PAID?
The applicant, the sponsor or a third party can pay the fee. The fee is paid to the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States. It cannot be paid at the
Embassy.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has set up a lock box to accept fee
payment by mail. Applicants will be able to submit a Form I-901, Fee Remittance
together with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. Bank and payable in U.S.
currency.
Electronic
submission of Form I-901 and payment of the SEVIS fee using a credit card.
Further information is available from http://www.fmjfee.com.
The fee is paid prior to applying for the visa. The fee must be processed at least three
business days prior to the date of the visa interview. Proof of payment of the
fee should be presented at the time that you apply for the visa. The fee is
nonrefundable. No refunds are made because a visa has been refused. Refunds are
only be made for payments made in error.
Students who have been accepted at more than one school may have more than one SEVIS record.
As the SEVIS fee is based on the individual applicant, not program, there may be
cases where the applicant has paid the fee for one SEVIS record but is applying
for a visa for another. That is acceptable.
Applicants taking part in two or more different programs, such as exchange visitors, are
required to pay separate SEVIS fees for each program, even if only one visa is
issued.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE FEE HAS BEEN PAID ON MY BEHALF?
You should check with your school or sponsor. The person paying the fee will receive a
receipt, either by return mail or electronically. Those paying through the
internet may print off the fee receipt. You will need this receipt to apply for
the visa. If there is any doubt as to whether or not the fee has been paid, you
may confirm receipt of payment by either e-mailing the SEVP I-901 Case
Resolution Unit at fmjfee.sevis@dhs.gov or calling
them at 785-330-1048.
WILL I BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE SEVIS FEE EACH TIME I APPLY FOR A VISA?
No, it is a one time fee charged at the time of the initial visa application for a single
person. If you reapply for a visa for the same program, then you will not be
required to pay a new fee. However, if you apply for a new visa based on a
different program, you will need to pay a new fee.
The SEVIS fee receipt is valid for twelve months. If your application is refused, you may
still use this fee’s receipt, within twelve months of the initial payment, to
reapply for the same visa (or applying for a new visa for a different program
provided the SEVIS fee payment meets the fee required for the different
program).
Further information on SEVIS is available from
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/index.htm.
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