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    • F-1 & M-1 Students and the SEVIS Fee

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    SEVIS Fee Requirement: F-1 (& M-1) Students

    SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a central computerized system that maintains and manages data about foreign students (F-1, J-1 and M-1), exchange visitors (J-1), and their dependents (F-2, J-2 and M-2) during their stay in the United States. The fee is $200 to for all new F-1 and M-1 applicants. This information is for F-1 (and M-1) students. See HOW TO PAY THE SEVIS FEE below.

    Who pays the SEVIS fee?

    • Prospective students with “initial attendance” I-20s who are applying for an “initial ” F-1 visa (or M-1) from outside the US. (Since Canadians are not required to get a visa stamp, they will be required to pay the fee before going to the port of entry. The fee cannot be paid at the port of entry.)
    • Prospective students with “initial attendance” I-20s who are applying for a change to F-1 status (or M-1) from another visa category.
    • Current F-1 students in the US filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months, and who are issued an I-20 issued for reinstatement.

    Who does NOT have to pay the fee?

    • Continuing F-1 or M-1 students do not have to pay the fee unless circumstances change so that he or she fits one of the categories mentioned above.

    What about my F-2 (or M-2) dependents?

    • F-2 (or M-2) dependents do not have to pay the fee

    Do I have to pay if I transfer to another school, travel outside the US 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 internationally and are not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.

    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 I change my mind and decide that I want to attend the other school? Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?

    Yes, but it is difficult and can cause delays. Click here for directions on how to transfer the fee payment.

    When do I pay the SEVIS fee?

    • The fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for your visa
    • or 3 business days prior to applying for admission at a US port-of-entry for those exempt from the visa requirement (Canadians)
    • The fee must be paid prior to submission of a change of status petition or reinstatement application (for those who have been out of status for more than 5 months)

    What if my F-1 (or M-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.

    HOW TO PAY THE SEVIS FEE:

    The fee can be paid online (strongly recommended) or at a Western Union office or by mail and must be accompanied by a Form I-901. It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the US. PLEASE NOTE: A citizen of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Cameroon, will not be allowed to pay the SEVIS fee online—you MUST pay either by mail or at a Western Union office (if accessible).

    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 at a Western Union Office:

    1. If you choose this payment option, do not file the Form I-901 online.
    2. Go to this web site: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm; read through the instructions and look at the example of the completed Western Union form linked there.
    3. Go to a local Western Union Agent location and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee in the local currency.
    4. Review the Western Union form to make sure that the Western Union agent uses your name, your SEVIS ID number and your date of birth.
    5. Click here to find the nearest Western Union Agent location 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.
    6. After three business days, check on the FMJfee.com website to view your payment status. Once you see confirmation of payment on that website, print out the confirmation page. The confirmation page serves as proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee and can be used for a visa interview at a U. S. consulate and for admission at a U. S. port of entry.

    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)
    2. Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
    3. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only1) in the amount of $200 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security”**
    4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901).
    5. 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

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

    Other Helpful Links: