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I-901 SEVIS Fee For F, M, & J Nonimmigrant Students & Exchange Visitors

Beginning September 1, 2004 the Department of Homeland Security will collect a congressionally mandated fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

International students and exchange visitors are subject to this fee which will be used to administer and maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), support compliance activities, and establish SEVIS Liaison Officers. Liaison Officers will serve as local resources for schools and students, providing timely and accurate program and reporting information and assistance.

SEVIS, the 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, will be used to record and track the I-901 fee payment.

Who pays the fee?

Those who wish to enter the United States either as a student or an exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated on or after September 1, 2004. The fee is nonrefundable, regardless of whether the visa is issued.

Participants of federally sponsored exchange visitor programs, which are designated by program codes beginning with G-1, G-2, orG-3 are not subject to this fee. Spouses and dependent children (F-2, M-2) of students or exchange visitors (J-2) do not pay this fee.

When do prospective 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 U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interview.
  
• Applicants who are citizens of Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas and residents of certain other islands (see 8 CFR 212.1a) wishing to apply for F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the United States must pay and process the SEVIS fee before appearing at the Port of Entry.
  
• Nonimmigrants currently in the United States who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application.
  

How is the fee paid?

• Through the Internet at http://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml by using a credit card and completing the online Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Nonimmigrants); or
  
• Through the mail by submitting a completed Form I-901 and a check or money order drawn on a US Bank and payable in US currency; or
  
• By a third party such as a school or sponsor; or
  
• selected sponsors of an exchange program by submitting a bulk or group payment.
  
• The fee cannot be paid at the consular section.
  

When must the fee be paid?

The fee must be paid to ensure that the payment can be deposited and recorded in SEVIS prior to the scheduled 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:

• At least three business days prior to the visa interview date for electronic submissions.
  
• At least three business days before the scheduled visa interview for mail submissions to allow for delivery at the DHS address listed on the Form I-901. This time frame allows the fee payment to be deposited and recorded in SEVIS.
  

How will the payment be verified?

The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. However, it is recommended that the paper I-797 or the Internet generated receipt be brought to the visa interview.

• DHS will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) for every payment received.
  
• Individuals who file electronically will be able to print an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment.
  
• Individuals may request Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt at an additional cost of $30.
  

When must continuing students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 nonimmigrants that have begun, but not finished, a program) pay the SEVIS fee?

Continuing students must pay the SEVIS fee before:

• Filing an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than 5 months; or
  
• When applying for a new visa or returning to the United States after an absence of more than 5 months that did not involve authorized overseas study; or
  
• When filing an application for a change of status to an F, M, or J classification except for changes between F-1 and F-3 or between M-1 and M-3.
  

When must continuing exchange visitors (J-1 nonimmigrants who have begun, but not finished a program) pay the SEVIS fee?

Continuing exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee before:

• Filing a reinstatement application after a substantive violation; or
  
• Filing a reinstatement application after they have been out of status between 121 and 269 days; or
  
• Applying for a change of exchange visitor category unless the new exchange visitor category is fee exempt (federally sponsored programs with program codes that start with G-1, G-2, or G-3).
  

Additional information at:

Fact Sheet - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
SEVP - Student and Exchange Visitor Program - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement