As of September 1, 2004, international J-1 visa students at UMass Dartmouth with Form DS-2019 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:
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J-1 exchange visitors - $100, except as noted below:
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Federally sponsored exchange visitor program (example: Fulbright) - NONE
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Summer work/travel program - $35
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Au pair program - $35
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Camp counselor program - $35
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For spouses and dependent children (J-2) of students or exchange visitors - NONE
WHO MUST PAY THE SEVIS FEE?
J-1 students must pay the fee if their DS-2019 was issued (not applied for) on or after September 1, 2004.
If you are a J-1 student who received the DS-2019 before September 1, 2004, then you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee. However, you will need to pay the fee in certain circumstances, such as: changes of category, reinstatement, and other requests to DHS.
WHO DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY THE FEE?
The following internationals do NOT have to pay the fee:
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Spouses and dependent children on J-2 visas.
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Continuing J nonimmigrants who are maintaining legal status and whose initial Form DS-2019 were issued prior to September 1, 2004 (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.)
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Students or exchange visitors applying for an extension of stay in the same program.
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Students or exchange visitors transferring from one institution to another while maintaining the same status and in the same category.
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Students or exchange visitors coming to the United States in government-sponsored exchange programs (e.g., Fulbright).
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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?
The SEVIS fee collection form, or I-901, must be used when you pay the fee. There are two general payment options:
- Payment in U.S. dollars by credit card via the Internet, which will generate a receipt as proof of payment
- Payment in U.S. dollars by check or bank draft, drawn on a U.S. bank.
You may only pay the SEVIS fee as noted 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 or J visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, an international 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.
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.
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.
Last Updated On: 11/15/05
