SEVIS is the "Student and Exchange Visitor Information System". It is a government, computerized system that maintains and manages data about international students and scholars during their stay in the U.S.
For more than 50 years, U.S. educational institutions have been required to maintain such information about international students and scholars studying at their facilities. In the past, this was a decentralized, inefficient, and paper-driven system.
SEVIS automates and centralizes this data. SEVIS allows for real-time access to this information and helps students comply with the terms of their visas.
Sevis Fee
What is the SEVIS fee?
Effective September 1, 2004, DHS requires the collection of a one-time SEVIS fee of $100 from all first-time applicants for F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas; for Canadian citizens seeking first-time F-1, J-1, and M-1 status upon their admission to the U.S.; for requests to change status to F-1, J-1 (incl. category changes within J-1 status), or M-1 status from inside the U.S.; and for some reinstatements to F-1, J-1, or M-1 status.
The fee is not being charged or collected by UVa or by ISO.
The SEVIS fee is charged and collected separately from consular fees required by the U.S. embassy in order to process your F-1/J-1 visa application or processing fees charged by the U.S. government.
Who is required to pay the SEVIS fee?
- International students and scholars applying for first-time F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas, and Canadian citizens seeking first-time F-1, J-1, and M-1 status upon their admission to the U.S.
- International students and scholars with current statuses other than F-1, J-1, and M-1 seeking to change their current status to F-1, J-1, or M-1 status from inside the U.S.
- International students and scholars with current J-1 status seeking to change their J-1 category (e.g., from student to scholar).
- International students and scholars with F-1, J-1, or M-1 status seeking reinstatement to F-1, J-1, or M-1 status after substantial status violation.
Who is not required to pay the SEVIS fee?
- Applicants for visas and statuses other than F-1, J-1, or M-1.
- International students and scholars continuing in F-1, J-1, or M-1 status who apply for new F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas during the course of their current F-1, J-1, or M-1 programs, Canadian citizens seeking re-admission to the U.S. with F-1, J-1, or M-1 status during the course of their existing F-1, J-1, or M-1 programs.
- International students and scholars transferring their current F-1, J-1, or M-1 status from one U.S. institution to another.
- Applicants for first-time F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas whose applications for those visas was initially rejected may re-apply within 12 months of the initial denial notice without incurring another SEVIS Fee.
- F-2 and J-2 dependents .
How is the SEVIS fee charged and collected?
Two options:
1. Online submission of form I-901 ( www.FMJFee.com ) to DHS with payment of the $100 SEVIS Fee via Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. You can pay the SEVIS fee online from anywhere in the world.
2. Mail-in submission of form I-901 to DHS address on form along with $100 SEVIS fee paid by check, money order, Western Union, or foreign draft drawn on a financial institution in the U.S. and payable in U.S. currency. Mail-in form I-901 is sent to a DHS office in the U.S. This is the least efficient method of paying the SEVIS fee.
Someone other than you (a friend, family member, or even your UVa department) can pay the SEVIS fee for you by using one of the two methods just described. ISO cannot pay the SEVIS fee for you.
