Student and Exchange Visitor Program

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) acts as the bridge for varied government organizations that have an interest in information on foreign students. SEVP uses web-based technology, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.

SEVP collects, maintains and provides the information so that only legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the United States. The result is an easily accessible information system that provides timely information to the Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

SEVIS By The Numbers

SEVIS By The Numbers is a statistical breakdown of the system's performance and trends in foreign student representation in U.S. academic and exchange programs.

Privacy Impact Assessment

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program has published both a Privacy Impact Assessment and a System of Records Notice for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and both are now available for review.

New Fee Schedule for Students, Exchange Visitors and Schools

(New: October 23, 2008)

New fees for students, exchange visitors and schools go into effect on October 27, 2008. The new fees, which will fund the much anticipated program enhancements, are as follows:

• Foreign citizens applying to become F or M students or J exchange visitors will begin to pay the following SEVIS I-901 fee amounts:




I-901 F-1/M-1 visa applicants (full payment)	$200
I-901 J-1 visa applicants (full payment)	$180
I-901 Special J-visa categories (subsidized payment)	$35
I-901 Government visitor (no payment)	$0



• For schools petitioning for initial SEVP certification:
• Petition fees will increase from $230 to $1,700.
• Site visit fees will increase from $350 to $655 per campus.


• For schools that are already SEVP-certified:
• Petition fees for change of ownership will increase from $230 to $1,700.
• Site visit fees for addition of a campus will increase from $350 to $655.
• There is no fee for recertification.

The following information resources provide detailed background information concerning the fee changes:

• Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Fee Increases (PDF)
  (New: September 24, 2008)



• Fee Rule Text (PDF)
  (Updated: October 2, 2008)

Recertification Resources

(New: October 7, 2008)

• Recertification Broadcast Message
  (Revised: October 2, 2008; Page 5, Effective Date)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Rule

(New: April 16, 2008)

• STEM Designated Degree Programs | (PDF)
  (Updated: September 25, 2008)
  
  
  
• SEVP Policy Guidance for DSOs on the OPT Extension (PDF)
  (New: May 2, 2008)

What's New

• SEVIS Approved Schools List and SEVIS Approved Schools Map
  (updated: November 3, 2008)



• SEVIS Quarterly E-Newsletter
  (updated: October 14, 2008)



• SEVIS By The Numbers
  (updated: October 14, 2008)