June 30, 2004

Fact Sheet

I-901 SEVIS Fee for F, M, & J Non-Immigrant Students & Exchange Visitors

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an automated process for collecting, maintaining and managing information about international foreign students, exchange visitors and their dependents during their stay in the United States. SEVIS exemplifies our commitment to open doors and secure borders by facilitating the process for millions of welcomed students, while closing loopholes for those wishing to defraud our systems or do us harm. The vast majority of individuals who come to the United States to study are seeking a quality education and a meaningful cultural exchange. However, there are those very few who would like to exploit any gaps in our immigration security system. The Department of Homeland Security is committed to reducing such security vulnerabilities, while fostering the freedoms and openness that are the hallmarks of our country. This is clearly indicated in the mission of the SEVP office:

“To balance Homeland Security with facilitating eligible foreign student and exchange visitor participation in America’s outstanding academic and cultural exchange programs.”

Student & Exchange Visitor Information System Fee

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides for the collection of a Congressionally mandated fee to be paid by certain aliens who are seeking status as nonimmigrant students (visa categories F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3) or as nonimmigrant exchange visitors (visa category J-1). The purpose of this fee is to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), including the administration and maintenance of SEVIS, compliance activities, and the establishment of SEVIS Liaison Officers. These SEVIS Liaison Officers will be a local resource for schools and students, providing timely and accurate information or assistance in meeting the requirements of the program.

SEVIS Fee Cost

Options for Payment

• Electronically, by completing Form I-901, Fee Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Non-immigrants, through the Internet (www.FMJfee.com) using a credit card.
  
  
• Through the mail, by submitting Form I-901, together with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency.
  
  
• School/Sponsors/Third party payments allowed.
  
  
• Sponsors can pay for exchange visitor participants via “Bulk” (Group) payment.

To ensure electronic verification of the fee payment at the consular office, non-immigrants paying the fee electronically or by mail must submit the fee at least three business days before the scheduled visa interview to the DHS address listed on the Form I-901. This will allow time for the fee to be deposited and payment recorded in SEVIS.

Receipts

• DHS will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) acknowledging every payment regardless of payment method.
  
  
• Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt may be requested at additional cost.
  
  
• Anyone who submits an individual fee electronically will be able to print out an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment for use in advance of the mail delivery of the official paper receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 dated after September 1, 2004, except for those participating in a fee exempt exchange visitor program. Fee exempt exchange visitor program codes start with G-1, G-2, or G-3.
  
  
• Those who are in the U.S. and wish to change to a student or exchange visitor status from another non-immigrant status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides for the collection of a Congressionally mandated fee to be paid by certain aliens who are seeking status as non-immigrant students (visa categories F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3) or as non-immigrant exchange visitors (visa category J-1).

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

• Applicants needing a visa to enter the U.S. must pay the SEVIS fee 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, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the U.S. must pay the SEVIS fee before entering the U.S.
  
  
• Non-immigrants 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.

When must continuing students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 non-immigrants 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.
  
  
• 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 or between M-1 and M-3.

When must continuing exchange visitors (J-1 Non-immigrants 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.
  
  
• Filing a reinstatement application after a substantive 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).

Student & Exchange Visitor Program Contact Information:

Jill Drury, Director

Susan Geary, Deputy Director

Denise Mackie-Smith, IT Manager
800 K Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20536

Customer Support: 785-330-1048

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: www.ice.gov

For more information visit these other websites:

Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov

Department of State: www.state.gov

May 2004

# ICE #

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for the enforcement of border, economic, infrastructure and transportation security laws. ICE seeks to prevent acts of terrorism by targeting the people, money and materials that support terror and criminal networks.