Return to F-1 visa information.

 

As of September 1, 2004, international F-1 visa students at UMass Dartmouth with Form I-20 issued on or past that date must pay a fee to the SEVIS program. You must do this before you apply for a visa to enter the country.

 

WHAT IS THE "SEVIS FEE?"
SEVIS stands for the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a web-based database used for tracking and reporting foreign students in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees SEVIS.

 

HOW MUCH IS THE FEE?
DHS has set the SEVIS fee as follows:

• F-1 students - $100
• For spouses and dependent children (F-2) of students - NONE

WHO MUST PAY THE SEVIS FEE?
DHS has set the SEVIS fee as follows:

• Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20s dated on or after on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for an "initial" visa from outside the U.S.
• Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20s dated on or after on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category.
• Current F-1 students in the U.S. filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months, and who are issued an I-20 for reinstatement that is dated on or after September 1, 2004.

WHO DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY THE FEE?
The following internationals do NOT have to pay the fee:

1. Spouses and dependent children on F-2 visas.
2. Continuing F nonimmigrants who are maintaining legal status and whose initial Form I-20 were issued prior to September 1, 2004 (Please note: This provision only applies to nonimmigrants returning to the U.S. to resume participation in a program that was previously begun, in which he/she has maintained legal status, and which has not yet been completed.)
3. Students or exchange visitors applying for an extension of stay in the same program.
4. Students or exchange visitors transferring from one institution to another while maintaining the same status and in the same category.
5. Students or exchange visitors coming to the United States in government-sponsored exchange programs (e.g., Fulbright).
6. Students or exchange visitors who already paid the SEVIS fee, whose visas are denied, and who subsequently reapply for the same visa within 12 months of the initial visa denial.

HOW DO YOU PAY THE FEE?
You can pay the SEVIS fee to DHS by mail or online, and you must include an I-901 form.

To Pay by Mail

1. Obtain an I-901 form at www.FMJfee.com, or request by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the U.S.)
2. Complete the I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20.
3. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on U.S. banks only) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security."
4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on the I-901 form.
5. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed to you within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

   To Pay Online
   

6. Find the I-901 form at www.FMJfee.com.
7. Complete the I-901 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.
8. Print a copy of the online receipt.
9. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

   To Pay at Western Union
   As of November 1, 2004, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is allowing Western Union to collect the SEVIS fee. This option is available in any country where Western Union offers its Quick Pay^TM service. Please visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm and follow their instructions if you would like to chose this option.

You may only pay the SEVIS fee in one the manners above. U.S. Embassies, Consulates and ports of entry cannot accept payments. Regardless of how the fee is paid, in order to apply for an F visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, an internationals will be required to show the receipt notice documenting that he/she has paid the SEVIS fee.

 

CAN A "THIRD PARTY" PAY THE FEE ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OR EXCHANGE VISITOR?
Yes, a third party, such as an academic department, friend, or family member may pay the fee by mail or electronically using the I-901.

 

WILL THE DHS KEEP A RECORD OF MY PAYMENT ON FILE?
Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record, but we strongly recommend that you retain a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.

 

WHEN MUST THE FEE BE PAID?
You must pay the fee before you apply a visa stamp. But, you may schedule an appointment at an U.S. Embassy or Consulate before actually paying the fee. The payment must be received by DHS at least three business days before the date you report to the Embassy/Consulate for your visa interview.

For Canadian nationals who do not require a visa stamp to enter the United States, payment must be received by DHS at least three business days before the student or scholar applies at the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) for admission to the U.S.

Individuals applying through Citizenship and Immigration Services service centers for "change of status" to J-1, F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 status must pay the SEVIS fee before the service center will approve their applications. Please note: UMass Dartmouth does not support M visa types.

 

WHAT IF MY VISA IS DENIED?
If the visa is denied, the international student or exchange visitors will not get a refund of the SEVIS fee. DHS will only grant a refund when someone who did not need to pay a fee did so in error.

If you are denied a student/scholar visa, you can reapply for that same visa within a 12-month period and not have to pay the fee again.

 

QUESTIONS
Effective as of June 30, 2006, International Students and Exchange Visitors may call the toll number (212) 620-3418 for all questions regarding the I-901 SEVIS fee that cannot be answered after viewing the information available at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm.

Please note that the toll number is for international callers only and is available during the following business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

 

Return to F-1 visa information.

 Last Updated On: 2/4/08