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SEVIS I-901 Fee Requirement

The Department of Homeland Security (http://www.dhs.gov) charges a fee for all new F-1 and J-1 applicants. This fee is required under SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and is used to cover costs of program operations.

Information concerning the SEVIS I-901 fees can be found at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website (http://www.ice.gov.sevis/i901/index.htm).

Who must pay this fee:

F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to pay a fee before applying for a visa. Those nonimmigrants already in the United States under another immigration status who want to change to F-1 or J-1 status , will pay the required fee before applying for a change of status to F-1 or J-1. Canadians will be required to pay before going to U.S. Port of Entry. The fee cannot be paid at the port of entry. The SEVIS fee is in addition to any other application fees.

Exemptions and Special Cases:

F-2 and J-2 dependents are exempt from the SEVIS fee. J-1 visitors whose DS-2019s are issued by the U.S. government are also exempt.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Which prospective students or Exchange Visitors must pay the SEVIS fee?

  • Those who wish to either enter the U.S. as a student or exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 issed on or after September 1, 2004.
  • Those who are in the U.S. and wish to change to a student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) status from another non-immigrant status with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004.
  • Change of status applicants, e.g., from B-2 to student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) status.

Q: When do prospective students or exchange visitors pay the SEVIS fee?

  • Applicants needing a visa to enter the U.S. should pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 business days before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interview.
  • Applicants who are citizens of Canada or Bermuda, or residents of certain other islands described in 8CFR 212.1a wishing to apply for F-1 or J-1 status should pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 business days before entering the U.S. at a Port of Entry into the U.S.
  • Nonimmigrants currently in the U.S. who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application.

Q: When must continuing F-1 students 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.
  • Applying for a new visa or returning to the U.S. after an absence of 5 months or more that did not involve authorized overseas study.
  • Filing an application for a change of status except for changes between F-1 and F-3.

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

Continuing exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee before:

  • Filing a reinstatement application after a substansive violation after they have been out of status between 121 and 269 days.
  • 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).

Q: How does one pay the fee?

To Pay by Mail:

  1. Obtain a Form I-901 "Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M nonimmigrants."
    • Download the form from http://www.FMJfee.com.
    • Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the U.S. only).
  2. Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on the I-20 or DS-2019 form.
  3. Prepare a check, international money order, or foreign draft (drawn on U.S. banks only) made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security."
  4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to: (P.O. Box listed on Form I-901).
  5. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 business days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt and keep it with your other important immigration documents in a safe place.

To Pay Online:

  1. Find the Form I-901 at http://www.FMJfee.com.
  2. Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, Mastercard, or American Express payment information. *Be sure to write your name exactly as it appear on your I-20 or DS-2019 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 in a safe place.

To Pay by Western Union:

Effective November 1, 2004 a new option was made availabe in more than 130 countries. You may pay the I-901 SEVIS fee locally using the Western Union Quick Pay service. The instructions along with a completed sample of the Western Union form can be found on Western Union's website (http://www.westernunion.com) or the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement website (http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm) or contact your local Western Union office.