Non-Immigrant Visas

SEVIS - Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

What is SEVIS and SEVP? What should you know about it?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. Select SEVIS to go to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Internet site and learn more.

All student applicants must have a SEVIS generated I-20 issued by an educational institution approved by DHS, which they submit when they are applying for their student visa. The consular officer will need to verify your I-20 record electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your student visa application. Unless otherwise exempt, participants whose SEVIS I-20 was issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS I-901 Fee to the Department of Homeland Security for each individual program.

All exchange visitor applicants must have a SEVIS generated DS 2019 issued by a Department of State designated sponsor, which they submit when they are applying for their exchange visitor visa. The consular officer will need to verify your DS 2019 record electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your exchange visitor visa application to conclusion. Unless otherwise exempt, participants whose SEVIS DS-2019 was issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS I-901 Fee to the Department of Homeland Security for each individual program.

The fee may be paid either through a special website, via Western Union, or by mail. See SEVIS-901 Fee or SEVIS for further information on how to pay the fee.

SEVIS Fee News

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published a final rule increasing fees for F, M, and J travelers and sponsoring schools, which goes into effect October 27, 2008. Fees for non-immigrant (F and M) students will increase from $100.00 to $200.00, and fees for most exchange visitor (J) travelers will increase from $100.00 to $180.00.

Au Pairs, Camp Counselors, and Summer Work/Travel J visa travelers continue to pay a reduced fee of $35.00. Government-sponsored exchange visitors continue to be exempt from the fee.  F, M, and J dependents do not need to pay the fee.

SEVP has also raised fees for school certification and registration.  There are more details on the SEVP website, www.ice.gov/sevis.

F, M, and J applicants who paid their SEVIS fee before October 27, 2008, do not need to pay the higher amount, even if they have not traveled or applied for a visa by that date.

---

Page last updted on: 10/17/2008    at: 08:30 a.m.