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International Student Services
SEVIS Fee
The U.S. Government recently imposed a new $100 fee for all new international
students and exchange visitors and some returning students. The SEVIS
I-901 fee went into effect September 1, 2004.
The fee must be paid if the applicant is:
- Seeking an F-1, F-3, J-1, M-1, or M-3 visa from an
embassy or consulate abroad for initial attendance at a school
approved by the
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), or for initial
participation in an exchange visitor program designated by the
Department of State
(DOS). There is an exception, noted below in j, for J-1 exchange
visitors participating in a program sponsored by the Federal
government.
- A person who does not need a visa to enter the
United States as a student or exchange visitor who will be
applying for admission
at a U.S. port-of-entry to begin initial attendance at a SEVP-approved
school or initial participation in a DOS-designated exchange
visitor program. There is an exception, noted below in j, for
J-1 exchange
visitors participating in a program sponsored by the Federal
government.
- In the United States seeking a change of status
to F-1, F-3, J-1, M-1, or M-3. There are exceptions noted below
in sections j and
n.
- A nonimmigrant who was initially granted J-1 status
as a participant in an exchange visitor program sponsored by
the Federal government,
as specified in section j below, and who is now transferring
to another J program in the same category that is not sponsored
by the Federal
government.
- A J-1 nonimmigrant who is applying for a change
of category within the United States. There is an exception,
noted below in j,
for J-1 exchange visitors participating in a program sponsored
by the Federal government.
- A J-1 nonimmigrant who is applying for a reinstatement
after a substantive violation of the rules governing your J status,
or who
has been out of program status for longer than 120 days but less
than 270 days during the course of his or her program. There
is an exception,
noted below in j, for J-1 exchange visitors participating in
a program sponsored by the Federal government.
- An F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 nonimmigrant applying
for reinstatement of student status, who has been out of student
status for more than
5 months.
- An F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 nonimmigrant who has been
absent from the United States for a period exceeding 5 months,
was not working
towards completion of curriculum in authorized overseas study,
and now wishes to re-enter for a new F or M program of study
in the United
States.
Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996, Public Law 104-208, Subtitle
D, Section 641.
Payment is not Required if Applicant is:
-
An F-2, J-2, or M-2 dependent.
- A J-1 participant in an exchange visitor program
sponsored by the Federal government. An exchange visitor
program sponsored by
the Federal government is identified by a program number
starting with G-1, G-2, or G-3.
- An F-1, F-3, J-1, M-1, or M-3 nonimmigrant
who has previously paid the fee, or whose form I-20 or
DS-2019 for initial
attendance
was issued on or before August 31, 2004, and who is applying
for a visa to return to the United States as a continuing
student or a
participant
in a single, continuous exchange visitor program.
- An F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 nonimmigrant
transferring between approved schools, changing educational
levels, or
applying for post-completion
practical training.
- A J-1 nonimmigrant transferring between
programs in the same exchange visitor category where
no differential fee exists.
- A nonimmigrant applying for a change
of classification from within the United States between
F-1 and
F-3 status or between
M-1 and M-3 status.
- An F-1, F-3, J-1, M-1, or M-3
nonimmigrant requesting/applying for an extension
of stay in a single
program.
- Reapplying for a visa from
an embassy or consulate abroad after having paid
the
SEVIS fee
for a previous
F-1, F-3, J-1,
or M-1
visa that was denied, and is applying again for
the same type of program within 12 months of
the initial
denial.
- Reapplying for a visa from
an embassy or consulate after having paid the
SEVIS fee for a
previous J-1
visa that was
denied, and
is applying again for the same type J-1 exchange
visitor category within 12 months of the initial
denial, unless
there is a fee differential.
- A nonimmigrant who has
paid the SEVIS fee in conjunction with an
application for
a change of
status in
the United
States to
an
F, M, or J classification, had the initial
application
for the change of status denied, and is applying
for a motion
to re-open the
case
within 12 months of the original denial.
The payment website at https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml is
operational. New students and exchange visitors with a Form I-20
or Form DS-2019 issued on or
after September 1, 2004 are subject to the fee. Continuing students
and exchange visitors are not required to pay the fee except
under certain circumstances. For complete information on who
needs to pay
the fee (or does not need to) see the SEVP website at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/faq.htm.
There is a complete list of questions and answers on all aspects
of SEVIS I-901 fee payment.
Additional information about the SEVIS fee can be found of the governments's
SEVP website at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/faq4.htm#_Toc81222043.
This information, along with a copy of the Form I-901, will provide
the student or exchange visitor with basic information needed to pay
the SEVIS I-901 fee. You may also want to provide students and exchange
visitors with the sources of help provided in Question 8A at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/faq8.htm#_Toc81222155.
Attached is a PDF of the I-901 Form. Prospective students and exchange
visitors who are not in the United States and who do not have web access
may have problems getting the form. You can print the form from the
PDF or order pre-printed copies through the Eastern Forms Center at
fax number 1-800-870-3676.
Thank you.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program
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