SEVIS I-901 Fee
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires a fee of $200 for all new F-1 and J-1 program applicants to cover the costs of the operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program. The rule that implements this fee, called the SEVIS I-901 Fee, went into effect September 1, 2004.
The following list contains links to more detailed information about the SEVIS I-901 Fee:
- Information on SEVIS and required fees and instructions are available on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement web site.
- Students or exchange visitors who are applying for initial F or J status with a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee every time you start a new I-20 or DS-2019 program.
- You must have a Form I-20 or DS-2019 before you pay the fee. You can schedule a visa application interview before you make the SEVIS I-901 fee payment. The SEVIS I-901 fee payment should be completed at least three days prior to your visa interview.
- At the web site above, you can pay the SEVIS I-901 fee with credit card. It is helpful to be at a computer with a printer, so you can print the receipt directly after the transaction. You should carry the receipt with you to the visa interview and when entering the U.S.
- Any continuing student or exchange visitor who received an initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated prior to September 1, 2004, has not completed their program and has maintained status does not need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. A change of level or transfer is considered a continuation of your current program.
- Even if you receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from your school or exchange visitor program with updated information printed on or after September 1, 2004, you do not need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Payment is determined by the original issuance date.
- Spouses and minor child of students and exchange visitors (F-2or J-2) do not have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.