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International Students > SEVIS Fee
SEVIS Fee
What is the SEVIS fee?
Beginning September 1, 2004, a new United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule went into effect that requires new F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time fee of $100 to supplement the federal administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The following information specifically addresses fee issues for F-1 students.
Who pays the SEVIS fee?
- Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 applying for an "initial" F-1 visa
- Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20s dated on or after September 1, 2004 applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category
- Current F-1 students in the U.S. filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months, who have been issued an I-20 for reinstatement dated on or after 9/1/04
- Non-immigrants already in the United States who want to change to F-1 or J-1 status, will have to pay the fee before applying for a change of status.
Who does not to have pay the fee?
- F-1 and J-1 students and scholars continuing a program on an I-20 or DS-2019 issued before September 1, 2004.
- F-1 students in lawful status transferring between schools in the U.S.
- J-1 students in lawful status transferring between schools in the same exchange visitor category (except for those exchange visitors whose current DS-2019 was issued by the U.S. government).
- F-2 and J-2 dependents.
Will other F-1 students in the U.S. have to pay?
No, unless circumstances change so that the student fits one of the categories mentioned above.
What about my F-2 dependents?
F-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee.
Do I have to pay if I transfer to another school, travel outside the U.S. or renew my visa?
The SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical training. If you are in status when you travel outside of the U.S. and are not physically abroad for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.
When do I pay the SEVIS fee?
The fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for your visa, or applying for admission at a U.S. port-of-entry for those exempt from the visa requirement. The fee must be paid prior to submission of a change of status petition or reinstatement application.
Can I pay the SEVIS fee at a university, consulate or port of entry?
No. At this time the SEVIS fee can only be processed by the Department of Homeland Security via mail or the Internet.
How do I pay the fee?
The fee can be paid to the DHS by mail or online and must be accompanied by Form I-901. The fee can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the U.S.
- To Pay By Mail
Obtain Form I-901 (Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants). Download the form from www.FMJfee.com; OR Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the U.S.).
Complete Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on U.S. banks only) in the amount of $100, made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security".
Mail the completed I-901form and payment to the address indicated on Form I-901.
A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your fee application and receipt when it arrives by mail, and keep these documents with your other important immigration documents.
- To Pay Online
Obtain Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com.
Complete Form I-901 online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
Print a copy of the online receipt.
Be sure to make a copy of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.
- To Pay By Western Union Quick Pay:
1. Print out and bring a copy of these instructions along with a copy of the sample form to a local participating Western Union Agent location. To find the nearest Western Union Agent location go to http://www.payment-solutions.com/agent.asp and select a country or call the telephone number of the Western Union Commercial Services Network Agent in your country as listed in your phone book.
2. Request and fill out the blue form. This form is available only from a participating local Western Union Agent location. This form may show words such as "Payment Services" or "Quick Pay" printed in the applicable local language. However, please note that all Quick Pay forms will be blue.
3. Once you have obtained the Blue Form from the Western Union Agent location, you must fill out all appropriate information. Below are specific instructions for each field and sample forms for F, M, and J visas at international Western Union Agent locations as well as instructions and sample forms for Western Union Agent locations in the United States. Please bring a copy of these instructions and sample forms to the Western Union Agent location. View and print instructions and sample forms here.
Will the DHS keep a record of my payment on file?
Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record but it is strongly recommended that you retain a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.
I applied to more than one school, and have more than one I-20 form. What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school, and then change my mind and decide that I want to attend a different school? Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes. But you must take the I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number that you listed on the I-901 form with you to the U.S. consulate/embassy, in addition to the I-20 form from the school you wish to attend.
What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status, or reinstatement?
- Obtain the appropriate Form I-20 from Indiana University Southeast.
- Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or online.
- Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online) for your records.
- Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa, change of status or reinstatement application OR
- Students who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadian citizens, should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of entry with the appropriate I-20. It will not be possible to pay the fee at the port of entry.
- For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school, you should submit a copy of that school's I-20 form with your application.
What if my F-1 visa application is denied?
The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.
For additional information:
Additional questions or concerns should be directed to an international student advisor in the Office of Admissions at 812-941-2212 or seintadm@ius.edu .
Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank. You may therefore obtain a check from: 1) a bank chartered or operated in the United States; b) a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. bank; or c) a foreign bank that has an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.
Effective September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires the collection of a one-time fee of U.S. $100 from new international students and visiting scholars. The fee helps cover operational costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is a central computerized system that maintains and manages data concerning international students (F-1 status), exchange visitors (J-1 status), and their dependents (F-2 and J-2) during their stay in the United States.
For more information regarding the SEVIS fee requirement or other visa-related matters, contact the Office of Admissions at IU Southeast: seintadm@ius.edu.
