SEVIS FEE

*Please note: The SEVIS I-901 fee will increase on October 27, 2008 from $100 to $180 for J-1 students.

MANDATORY SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) FEE
download in pdf format
The SEVIS I-901 fee has been mandated by Congress since September 1, 2004 to support the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System program office and automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States.

Each exchange visitor issued a DS-2019 for a new program on or after September 1, 2004 is responsible for paying this fee to SEVP. There are some exceptions and some additional categories of continuing students who must pay the fee. For more information, please click on the guide below:

Guide to who must pay the SEVIS fee
Payment:
Please follow the steps below when paying the SEVIS fee:

  1. Receive DS-2019 from American University.
  2. Make visa appointment with U.S. Embassy/Consulate (if you are required to obtain a J-1 visa in your passport before traveling to the U.S. -- please note that even if you are exempt from the visa requirement, the SEVIS fee must be processed at least 3 business days prior to applying for admission at a U.S. port-of-entry).
  3. If paying with U.S. check/money order/foreign draft by mail, after paying wait to receive form I-797 payment receipt from immigration via mail and submit receipt with visa application. Be sure to allow enough time for immigration to process fee and return receipt by mail. Mailing time may vary.
  4. If paying with credit card on-line, submit SEVIS fee payment in time to allow immigration to process payment at least 3 days prior to visa interview and print SEVIS fee payment receipt from the internet.
  5. If paying by Western Union Quick Pay at local participating Western Union office, submit SEVIS fee payment in time to allow immigration to process payment at least 3 days prior to visa interview. Receive payment receipt from the Western Union agent at the time of payment and submit receipt with visa
  6. Report to U.S. Embassy/Consulate for visa interview (if required).

To Pay By U.S. Check/Money Order/Foreign Draft (by mail only)

  1. Go to the SEVIS payment web site and enter your name (as it appears on your DS2019), SEVIS number (on the top right corner of your  DS-2019 - it is a 10 digit number beginning with the letter "N"), and birth day in mm/dd/yyyy format (month/day/year)
  2. Click the link “Paper Form I-901 (PDF),” then print the form.
    1. The American University code is P100835 (#2 on the DS-2019).
  3. Prepare a U.S. check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only) in the required amount, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security.” Also, be sure to print your name and SEVIS ID number in the lower left-hand corner of the check, money order or bank draft.
  4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901 Instructions.
  5. 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.

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; b) a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. bank, or c) 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.
Pay By Credit Card (online only)

  1. Go to the SEVIS payment web site and enter your name (as it appears on your DS2019), SEVIS number (on the top right corner of your DS-2019 - it is a 10 digit number beginning with the letter "N"), and birth day in mm/dd/yyyy format (month/day/year)
  2. Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information.
    1. American University code is  P100835 (#2 on the DS-2019).
  3. Print a copy of the online receipt. Do not exit the receipt page until you have successfully printed the receipt. You will not be able to return to the receipt page.
  4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

To Pay By Western Union Quick Pay

  1. Go to the SEVIS payment web site and enter your name (as it appears on your DS2019), SEVIS number (on the top right corner of your  DS-2019 - it is a 10 digit number beginning with the letter "N"), and birth day in mm/dd/yyyy format (month/day/year)
  2. Click the link “International F and M Visa Instructions”.
  3. Print out all the instructions and go to the local participating Western Union office to pay the fee.
    1. For the line marked “Account Number” enter your SEVIS number which is found in the top right-hand box of the DS-2019 above the barcode, followed by a dash then your date of birth.
      1. For the line marked “Reference Number” enter the school code as P100835 (#2 on the DS-2019)
  4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

The SEVIS fee should be processed by immigration at least 3 business days prior to the consular interview. Fees are not payable at the consulate.
In case of visa application denials:
If the J-1 visa application is denied, the SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.
Help with fee payment issues:
If you are having a problem with the SEVIS fee payment process please visit the following website:
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/index.htm
Helpful Links:
Transfer SEVIS payment from one SEVIS ID (I-20 from one school) to another (I-20 from another school)   
U.S Embassies Abroad
Fees for Visa Services
Visa Photo Requirements
Airport Security - Web videos in various languages