What is SEVIS?
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. F-1 and J-1 students have to pay a SEVIS fee once per F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record. The fee funds the operation of the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which oversees SEVIS.
Information for F-1 students
How much does the SEVIS fee cost?
For F-1 students, the SEVIS fee is $350.
You must pay the SEVIS fee if you are:
- Applying for a visa as a new student beginning an 91°µÍø program with an I-20.
- Applying to change your status to F-1 from another nonimmigrant status while in the United States.
- Filing for reinstatement after being out of status while in the United States for more than five months.
- Traveling to the United States in F-1 status as a Canadian citizen. You cannot pay the fee at your port of entry.
You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee if you are:
- An F-1 student in lawful status transferring between schools in the United States.
- The dependent of an F-1 student and you have F-2 status.
Information for J-1 students
How much does the SEVIS fee cost?
For J-1 students, the SEVIS fee is $220—unless you are participating in a federally sponsored exchange program.
You must pay the SEVIS fee if you are:
- Applying for a visa as a new student beginning an 91°µÍø program with a DS-2019.
- Applying to change your status to J-1 from another nonimmigrant status while in the United States.
- Transferring your SEVIS record from a government-issued DS-2019 to a non-government-issued DS-2019.
- Traveling to the United States under J-1 status as a Canadian citizen.
- You cannot pay the fee at your port of entry.
You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee if you are:
- A J-1 student in lawful status transferring between schools in the United States.
- A J-1 student in lawful status transferring between schools in the same exchange visitor category (unless your current DS-2019 was issued by the U.S. government).
- A J-2 dependent.
- Have a DS-2019 issued by the U.S. government.
How to pay the SEVIS fee
You can pay the SEVIS fee online or by mail. We recommend paying online, because it is the fastest method. It can be paid by you or by a third party, from inside or outside the United States.
No matter which method you use, your payment must be accompanied by Form I-901.
To pay the SEVIS fee online
- Go to the .
- Complete Form I-901 online (be sure to insert your name exactly as it appears on your I-20) and supply the necessary MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit card information.
- Print a copy of the online receipt.
- Keep a copy of your receipt with your other immigration documents.
To pay the SEVIS fee by mail
- Obtain Form I-901 (Fee Remittance for Certain F Nonimmigrants). You can or request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the United States).
- Complete Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
- Prepare a check, international money order, or foreign draft (drawn on U.S. banks only) in the correct amount for your visa type, made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
- Mail the completed Form I-901 and payment to the address indicated on Form I-901.
You can after it has been received by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Keep these documents with your other important immigration documents.
To pay the SEVIS fee by Western Union Quick Pay
- . You will get a unique payment coupon number, necessary to validate and process your payment at Western Union. You cannot submit a SEVIS fee payment via Western Union without this coupon number.
- Print a copy of the payment coupon and take it to your local Western Union office.
- Fill out the Quick Collect/Quick Pay Form according to the information found at the bottom of the printed coupon.
- Present the coupon and your payment to the Western Union agent for processing.
A copy of instructions and sample forms can be viewed at and printed from the .
Remember that paying the SEVIS fee is the first step of the visa application process. Take this step as soon as you get your I-20 or DS-2019.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Department of Homeland Security keep a record of my payment on file?
Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record but it is strongly recommended that you retain a copy of your fee receipt to use as needed.
I applied to more than one school and have more than one I-20/DS-2019 form. What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school and then decide that I want to attend a different school? Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes, the SEVIS fee is transferable. But you must take the I-20/DS-2019 form with the SEVIS ID number that you listed on the I-901 form to the U.S. consulate/embassy, in addition to the I-20/DS-2019 form from the school you wish to attend. Be sure to make your intentions clear to the Consular Officer.
What if my J-1 or F-1 visa application is denied?
The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new J-1 or F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.
Helpful SEVIS links
Office of International Services
Ferguson International Center 330 N. Eagleson Avenue Bloomington, IN 47405-
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- Monday:
- 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm
- Tuesday:
- 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm
- Wednesday:
- 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm
- Thursday:
- 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm
- Friday:
- 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm