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Introducing SEVIS

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), is the electronic tracking system that the new Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (USICE) utilizes to track international students and scholars in F, and J, immigration statuses along with their dependents, from the point where the initial visa document is issued to the individual’s program completion or departure from STU. The national compliance date for SEVIS was February 15, 2003 and by August 1, 2003 all continuing students and scholars in F or J status must have SEVIS-generated visa documents to enter the U.S.

Maintaining F-1 status (i.e., staying legal in the US) is an important responsibility while studying in the U.S. Failure to comply with requirements of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will prevent you from receiving such benefits as authorization for practical training and can jeopardize your ability to remain legal in this country or to return here after a visit abroad.

SEVIS Fee

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published the final rule to implement collection of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. The rule sets the SEVIS fee for students at $100. The purpose of this congressionally mandated fee is to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), including the administration and maintenance of SEVIS, compliance activities, and the establishment of additional DHS support personnel positions.

NOTE: The SEVIS fee is a U.S. Government fee paid to DHS. It is not a University fee and provides no funds or services to the University.

The new SEVIS fee is generally a one-time fee. Payment of the fee is required only under certain circumstances. In general, the new fee will not affect students who are continuing their current F-1 status at STU.

IT IS THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY THE SEVIS FEE.

Who is required to pay the SEVIS fee?

  • Students applying for a new F-1 visa to begin a NEW program and for whom the I-20 for the new program was issued on or after September 1, 2004.
  • Students exempt from visa requirements (such as Canadians) applying for entry to the U.S. in F-1 status in order to begin a new program and for whom the I-20 for the new program was issued on or after September 1, 2004. 
  •  F-1 students who have been absent from the U.S. for more than 5 months (except those students who have received authorization for an extended absence in order to participate in a study abroad program or conduct research abroad) and who will re-enter the U.S. to continue the course of study.
  • Students who file an application for a change of status to F-1 with a I-20 that was issued on or after September 1, 2004.
  • Students who file an application for reinstatement to F-1 status on or after September 1, 2004 and who have been out of status for a period of time that exceeds the normal deadlines for applying for reinstatement.

Who is not required to pay the SEVIS fee?

  • F-1 students continuing in their current programs at STU.
  • Dependents of a student applying for F-2.

How is the fee paid?

  • The fee will be paid over the Internet by credit card, or by mail, or at a U.S. consulate (China and India only) with form I-901. Fee payment instructions and processes will be published on the ICE web site below.
  • The fastest way to pay the fee is through E-file with a credit card. You must have a browser that supports the required security that can establish an SSLv3 128-bit Secure Socket Layer session with our server can be used. This includes: Netscape Navigator 7.1 and higher, Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher running on a Microsoft Windows operating system, Safari 1.2.1 and higher running on an Apple Mac OS X operating system, Mozilla 1.6 and higher running on either a Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac OS X operating system. For more information refer to the FAQ website below.
  • Students using E-file to pay the fee must have a printer ready to print the receipt. Do not exit the receipt page until you have printed your receipt.
  • The fee must be paid to SEVP before making the appointment for a visa at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad.
  • Students from a visa exempt country (Canada) or students holding a valid F-1 visa, must pay the fee before arriving at the port of entry in the U.S.
  • Students must have their STU I-20 before they can pay the fee. The SEVIS number is required for the I-901 application.
  • Failure to pay the fee will result in a denied visa request and/or denied entry to the U.S.
  • Students must present the paper I-797 receipt as proof they paid the fee (it’s also noted electronically at the DOS consular database).
  • For more information about the new SEVIS fee, including the methods and deadlines for payment, please see the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVIS I-901 Fee Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)