Beginning September 1, 2004 a new United States Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) rule went into effect. This rule requires the collection
of a one-time SEVIS fee of $100 from certain J-1 Exchange Visitor students
and scholars. This fee is being collected to fund operation of the Student
and Exchange Visitor Program Office, which has oversight over SEVIS
- the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
Exchange-Visitors Not Required to Pay the SEVIS
Fee
1. Continuing J-1s: No SEVIS fee is due for J-1 students or scholars,
whose program began BEFORE September 1, 2004 who maintains that status,
and who’s initial DS-2019 for the current program was issued before
September 1, 2004.
2. J-1s sponsored by the U.S. federal government: No SEVIS fee is due
for a J-1 exchange visitor who is coming to the United States as a participant
in an exchange visitor program sponsored by the U.S. federal government
(i.e., Fulbright).
3. J-2 dependents: J-2 dependents are not required to pay a separate
SEVIS fee in order to obtain J-2 status or during the time the J-1 remains
in that status.
4. Transferring schools, requesting program extension, renewing a J-1
visa or using J-1 benefits such as academic training.
5. If you are in status when you travel internationally and ARE NOT
physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not
be required to pay the fee.
Exchange-Visitors Who Are Required to Pay the
SEVIS Fee
1. Prospective student/scholar applying for a J-1 visa for initial participation
in a program, who’s DS-2019, was issued on or after 09/01/2004.
2. Prospective student/scholar in the U.S. applying for a change of
status to J-1 whose DS-2019 was issued on or after 09/01/2004.
3. An exchange visitor who is in a U.S. government sponsored program
and who is transferring to a non-U.S. government sponsored program
4. An exchange visitor applying for a change of category (example –
J-1 student to J-1 researcher), who’s DS-2019 was issued on or
after 09/01/2004
5. A J-1 exchange visitor applying for reinstatement for a substantive
violation
6. Canadian’s do have to pay the fee if they fit the 5 items above.
Allow at least 3 business days for processing before you appear at the
boarder.
When do I pay the SEVIS FEE?
The fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for
your visa, at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy, or applying for admission
at a US port-of-entry for those exempt from the visa requirement.
The fee must be paid prior to submission of a change of status petition
or reinstatement application.
1. Applying for the J-1 visa abroad: The SEVIS
fee should be processed by DHS at least 3 business days prior to the
consular interview. Fees will not be payable at the consulate. The following
steps are a guideline for obtaining a J-1 visa from abroad:
a. Receive DS-2019 from the Exchange Visitor Program.
b. Make visa appointment with U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
c. Submit SEVIS fee payment in time to allow DHS to process payment
at least 3 days prior to visa interview.
d. Print SEVIS fee payment receipt from Internet or wait to receive
form I-797 receipt from DHS via mail and submit receipt with visa application.
e. Receive J-1 visa stamp in passport from U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
f. Enter U.S. not more than 30 days PRIOR to the start date indicated
on the DS-2019 and no later than 30 days AFTER the start date indicated
on the DS-2019.
g. Report to the Services for International Students & Scholars
to validate program no later than 30 days AFTER the start date indicated
on the DS-2019.
2. Entering U.S. by individuals exempt from the visa requirement:
The SEVIS fee should be processed at least 3 business days
prior to applying for admission at a U.S. port-of-entry by non-immigrants,
who are exempt from the visa requirement (i.e., citizens from Canada,
Bermuda, and other island countries listed in 8 CFR 212.1).
3. Change of J-1 category: A J-1 student or
scholar applying for a change of category within the U.S. (i.e., J-1
student to J-1 research scholar) must pay the SEVIS fee prior to the
Exchange Visitor Program approving a change of category
4. Changing status to J-1: A non-immigrant in
the United States seeking a change of status to J-1 student or scholar
must pay the SEVIS fee prior to submitting the application to USCIS
for change of non-immigrant status.
5. Applying for reinstatement: A J-1 student
or scholar, who is applying for reinstatement after a substantive violation
or who has been out of program status for longer than 120 days, but
less than 270 days during the course of his or her program, must pay
the SEVIS fee prior to applying to the Exchange Visitor Program for
reinstatement to J-1 status.
Note: SEVIS fees are transferable. If an applicant
pays the SEVIS fee in connection with a previously issued DS-2019/SEVIS
ID number other than the one associated with the document that s/he
actually uses to apply for a benefit (new J-1 visa, change of status,
reinstatement), it is strongly recommended that s/he submit a copy of
the DS-2019 that is connected to the paid SEVIS fee, in addition to
the original current DS-2019.
How do I pay the fee:
The SEVIS fee must be paid directly to the DHS by completing Form I-901
electronically using the Internet. Or by Mail or Western Union “Quick
Pay” and must be accompanied by a Form I-901.
It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the U.S.
To Pay Online make sure you have immediate access to a printer
1. Find the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com
2. Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard,
or American Express information. Be sure to write your name exactly
as it appears on your DS-2019 form
3. Print a copy of the online receipt.
4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other
important immigration documents.
To Pay By Mail
1. Obtain a Form I-901 “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M
Nonimmigrants.”
• Download the form from www.FMJfee.com
• Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US)
2. Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it
appears on your DS-2019
form.
3. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn
on US banks only1) in the
amount of $100 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland
Security”
4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form
I-901.
5. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing
the fee. Be sure to
make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration
documents
1 Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money
orders drawn on a U.S. bank. You may therefore obtain a check from:
1) a bank chartered or operated in the United States; 2) a foreign subsidiary
of a U.S. bank, or 3) a foreign bank that has an arrangement with a
U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn
on a U.S. Bank.
Receipt of payment: DHS will issue and mail
an official paper receipt (I-797) acknowledging every payment regardless
of payment method. Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt may
be requested at an additional cost. Anyone who submits an individual
fee electronically will be able to print out an electronic receipt immediately
at the time of payment for use in advance of the mail delivery of the
official paper receipt.
What do I need to do to apply for a J-1 visa, change of status
or reinstatement?
• Obtain the appropriate Form DS-2019 from a DHS-approved school.
• Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or online.
• Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online)
for your records.
• Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa,
change of status or reinstatement application OR
• Students who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadians,
should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of
entry with the appropriate DS-2019. It will not be possible to pay the
fee at the port of entry.
Circumstances where no new fee is required: J-1 students and
scholars, who have previously paid the SEVIS fee prior to obtaining
his or her current status, are not required to pay a new SEVIS fee in
connection with:
1. An application for an extension of stay in the current program.
2. An application to transfer between programs in the same exchange
visitor category where no differential fee exists (i.e., transfer between
two non-fee-exempt exchange visitor programs or transfer between two
fee-exempt exchange visitor programs).
3. A re-application for a J-1 visa following denial of visa application
by consular officer, as long as the re-application occurs within 12
months of the original denial notice.
4. A motion to re-open a change of status application, which was previously
denied for reasons other than failure to pay the SEVIS fee, as long
as the motion occurs within 12 months of the original denial notice.
Will the DHS 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 (form I-797) to use as needed.
NOTE: DHS will not refund the SEVIS fee if J-1 students and
scholars are not granted a visa or choose not to come to the U.S. after
their visas are granted.
Note: The fee for some exchange visitors categories is $35. Those categories
are (1) summer work/travel program, (2) au pair program, and (3) camp
counselor program.
Questions and Answers
1. Can I pay the SEVIS fee at a university, consulate or port
of entry?
No. At this time the SEVIS fee can only be processed by the Department
of Homeland Security via mail or the Internet.
2. Will the DHS 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 (form I-797) to use as needed.
3. I applied to more than one school, and have more than one
DS-2019 form. What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school, and
then I change my mind and decide that I want to attend the other school?
Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes. But you must submit the DS-2019 form with the SEVIS ID number that
you listed on the I-901 form with you to the U.S. consulate/embassy.
4. Will other J-1 students in the US have to pay?
No, unless the student’s circumstances change so that he or she
fits one of the categories mentioned above.
5. What about my J-2 dependents?
J-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee, even if the DS-2019 that
the J-2 dependents use is issued on or after 9/1/2004
6. Do I have to pay if I transfer to another school, travel
outside the US or renew my visa?
NO. The SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing
to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension,
renewing a J-1 visa or using J-1 program benefits such as practical
training. If you are in status when you travel internationally and are
not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will
not be required to pay the fee.
7. I’m Canadian do I have to pay the fee?
Yes, you must pay the fee and bring the receipt to the border with you.
Allow at least 3 business days for processing
8. What do I need to do to apply for an J-1 visa, change of
status or reinstatement?
• Obtain the appropriate Form DS-2019 from a DHS-approved school.
• Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or online.
• Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online)
for your records.
• Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa,
change of status or reinstatement application OR
• Students who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadians,
should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of
entry with the appropriate DS-2019. It will not be possible to pay the
fee at the port of entry.
• For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously
paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school, you should submit
a copy of that school’s DS-2019 form with your application.
9. What if my J-1 visa application is denied?
The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new
J-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the
fee again.
10. Can another person (friend or family) make the payment
for an exchange visitor by any of the two methods mentioned earlier?
Yes, anyone can make the payment but you must make sure the name that
is put on the application matches the Form DS-2019 and all other information
is correct.
For more information regarding the new SEVIS fee requirement
or other visa-related matters, contact International Services for Student
& Scholar (ISSS) office.
12/08/04
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