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2008 ICE Annual Report Cover

Students/Exchange Visitors


SEVP Response Center Is Here!

On Monday, January 26, 2009, the SEVP Response Center (SRC) began operation. The SRC is just one of SEVP’s ongoing efforts to expand service to our many stakeholders. The center is staffed by three highly trained SEVP employees knowledgeable on a variety of issues including, but not limited to:

  • Initial Certification
  • Recertification
  • I-17 Updates
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT)
  • SEVIS
  • Policy

These staff members are available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET to answer most of your questions on the spot. Questions or issues requiring research will be answered as expeditiously as possible.

The dedicated number for the SRC is 703-603-3400. A toll-free number for the SRC is planned and will be available as soon as possible.

We are confident that you will find the SRC an effective tool for handling stakeholder queries, and we look forward to receiving your feedback regarding this new service.


Student and Exchange Visitor Program has Moved!!!

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program office has moved! Until direct mail service is established, SEVP recommends that all correspondence be mailed to the following mailing address: Student and Exchange Visitor Program, Attn: (Branch Name), Potomac Center North, 500 – 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20536. The new main telephone number is (703) 603-3400. E-mail addresses have not changed, so inquiries may be sent to SEVP staff through their previous e-mail or through SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov. Also, note that the ICE Web Site layout has changed, including the SEVP pages.


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
(updated: November 6, 2008)

New fees for students, exchange visitors and schools went 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 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 increased from $230 to $1,700.
    • Site visit fees increased from $350 to $655 per campus.

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

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


Recertification Resources
(New: October 7, 2008)


Optional Practical Training (OPT) Resources
(Updated: March 26, 2009)


What's New

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