FACT SHEET

I-901 SEVIS Fee for F, M, and J Nonimmigrant Students and Exchange Visitors

Beginning October 27, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will increase the congressionally mandated fee that is charged to cover the costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors are subject to this fee, which will be used to administer and maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as well as develop and deploy the next generation of SEVIS, support compliance activities, and establish SEVIS Liaison Officers to provide information and assistance to students and schools.

Some schools charge a fee by the year or the semester to support their foreign student/exchange visitor offices and automated systems. These fees are neither mandated nor collected by the U.S. Government.

Payment of the I-901 fee will be recorded and tracked in SEVIS, the web-based system for collecting, maintaining, and managing information about nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors in the United States.

Who pays the new fee?

Those who wish to enter the United States either as a student or an exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated on or after October 27, 2008. Participants of federally sponsored exchange visitor programs, which are designated by program codes beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7, are not subject to this fee. Spouses and dependent children (F-2, M-2) of students or exchange visitors (J-2) do not pay this fee.

How much is the new fee?

For students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3)	$200
For spouses and dependent children (F-2, M-2, or J-2) of students or exchange visitors	None
For exchange visitors (J-1) except those listed separately below:	$180
Federally sponsored exchange visitor program (program codes start with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7)	None
Summer work/travel program	$35
Au Pair program	$35
Camp counselor program	$35

When do prospective students or exchange visitors pay the SEVIS fee?

• Applicants who require a visa to enter the United States must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interviews.
• Applicants who are citizens of Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas and residents of certain other islands (see 8 CFR 212.1a) wishing to apply for F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the United States must pay the SEVIS fee before appearing at the Port of Entry.
• Nonimmigrants currently in the United States who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application.

How is the fee paid?

• Through the Internet at www.FMJfee.com by using a credit or debit card and completing the online Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Nonimmigrants); or
• Through the mail by submitting a completed Form I-901 and a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency; or
• By a third party such as a school or sponsor; or
• By selected sponsors of an exchange program submitting a bulk or group payment.

When must the fee be paid?

The fee must be paid in time to ensure that the payment can be deposited and recorded in SEVIS prior to the scheduled visa interview. The interviewing consular officer will confirm that the fee has been paid by accessing SEVIS. To allow for adequate processing time the fee must be paid:

• At least three business days prior to the visa interview date if paying electronically.
• At least 15 business days prior to the scheduled visa interview if submitting payment through regular mail. (This time frame allows adequate time for the fee payment to be received at the DHS address listed on the Form I-901, deposited, and recorded in SEVIS.)
• Be sure to add local mail processing time to this processing estimate for accuracy.

How will the payment be verified?

The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. However, it is recommended that the paper I-797 or the Internet-generated receipt be brought to the visa interview.

• DHS will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) for every payment received.
• Individuals who are paying by mail, may request Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt at an additional cost of $35.
• Individuals who file electronically will be able to print an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment.

When must continuing students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 nonimmigrants who have begun but not finished a program) pay the SEVIS fee?

Continuing students must pay the SEVIS fee:

• Before filing an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than five months; or
• When applying for a new visa and returning to the United States after an absence of more than five months that did not involve authorized overseas study; or
• When filing an application for a change of status to an F, M, or J classification except for changes between F-1 and F-3 or between M-1 and M-3.

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

Continuing exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee before:

• Filing a reinstatement application after a substantive violation; or
• Filing a reinstatement application after they have been out of status between 121 and 269 days; or
• 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, G-3, or G-7).

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ICE seeks to prevent acts of terrorism by targeting the people, money and materials that support terror and criminal networks.

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