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    Information on the SEVIS fee


    SEVIS FEE REQUIREMENT for J-1 Exchange Visitors

    SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a central computerized system that maintains and manages data about foreign students (F-1), exchange visitors (J-1), and their dependents (F-2 and J-2) during their stay in the United States. The SEVIS program was implemented a year ago for all international students and scholars.

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing a new fee of $100 to begin September 1, 2004 for all new F-1 and J-1 applicants. The fee is required under SEVIS and is to be used to cover the costs of the operation of the program.

    The following information relates specifically to J-1 exchange visitors (J-1 academic staff and J-1 students).

    Who must pay the fee:

    • J-1 Exchange Visitors beginning new programs with DS-2019 forms issued on or after September 1, 2004, will be required to pay the $100 fee before applying for a visa.
    • Those non-immigrants already in the United States in another immigration status, who want to change to J-1 status, will have to pay the fee before applying for a change of status to J-1.
    • Canadians will be required to pay before going to US Port of Entry. The fee can not be paid at the port of entry. The $100 SEVIS fee is in addition to any other application fees.

    Exemptions from the fee:

    • Current and continuing J Exchange Visitors will not pay the fee.
    • J-2 dependents are exempt from the fee.
    • J-1 visitors whose DS-2019s are issued by the U.S. government are also exempt.

    When does the SEVIS fee need to be paid?

    • Applicants needing a J-1 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 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.
    • Non-immigrants currently in the U.S. who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing a change of status application.

    NOTE: You may make an appointment for a J-1 visa before paying the fee.

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

    • The fee must be paid before filing a reinstatement application after a substantive violation after they have been out of status between 121 and 269 days.
    • The fee must be paid before 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).

    How does one pay the fee?

    Two payment options exist; payment via the internet and payment via mail. The ISSO STRONGLY recommends that you make use of the internet payment option. Payment by internet will allow you to print out an immediate payment receipt. This may be used to show proof of payment at the US Consulate.

    If payment by mail is selected, you will have to wait a minimum of 3-days once The Department of Homeland Security receives your payment, and perhaps longer. An electronic record of your SEVIS fee payment should appear in the Consulate’s database after 3-days, and if so, you will be able to apply for the J-1 visa without a paper receipt, but due to our concern about unanticipated technical problems we do not recommend reliance on the electronic receipt alone. You will be less likely to experience difficulty in the visa application process if you have a copy of a paper receipt of SEVIS fee payment when you go for your visa interview.

    To Pay Online

    1. Find the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com
    2. Complete the form 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.
    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

    To Pay By Mail

    1. Obtain a 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 US)
    1. Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
    2. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only1) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security”**
    3. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901).
    4. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents

    ** 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

    In the case of a J-1 Exchange Visitor applying to more than one program, is the SEVIS fee transferable?

    Yes. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that fee payment made on one SEVIS ID number (i.e. DS-2019 form) can be applied to another SEVIS ID number issued to the same individual. The exchange visitor should bring receipt of payment and a copy of the DS-2019 form used to pay the fee to the visa interview, as well as the DS-2019 form of the program that they intend to begin.

    Further information on the SEVIS fee is available at the following web sites:

    Other Helpful Links:

    Contact ISSO with any questions