Nonimmigrant Visas

SEVIS Fee

If you apply for a student or exchange visitor visa (F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas) in most cases you must pay the SEVIS fee (SEVIS I-901 fee). Payments and inquiries are handled by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that is administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). For information about cost of the fee and the payment processes and options, visit the ICE website.

Further Instructions & Information:

• Do not pay the SEVIS fee before you have a Form I-20 or DS-2019
• Pay the SEVIS fee before your visa interview appointment. Do not leave payment of this fee to the last minute
• Make sure you obtain a SEVIS fee payment receipt
• You must bring the SEVIS fee payment receipt to your visa interview. You will need this proof of payment to obtain a student or exchange visitor visa
• If you have a spouse or child who has F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa or is applying for one of these types of visas, they are not required pay the SEVIS fee
• The SEVIS fee is non-refundable
• If you have a question about SEVIS or the SEVIS fee, use the Frequently Asked Questions page provided by the ICE

SEVIS & SEVP

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains data on foreign students and exchange visitors, as well as their dependents, before and during their stay in the U.S. It is a key part of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) administered by the ICE within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The SEVIS fee financially supports the SEVP and SEVIS. For more information visit the ICE website.

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