|
|
IMPORTANT--NEW SEVIS FEE REQUIREMENT for F-1 STUDENTS
F1 visa applicants are required to pay a one-time fee of $200 beginning on October 28, 2008 ($100 before October 28, 2008) to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). The following information specifically addresses fee issues for F1 student.
Who
pays the SEVIS fee?
- Prospective students with “initial attendance” I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for an “initial” F-1 visa from outside the US
- Prospective students with “initial attendance” I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category
- Current F1 students in the US filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months and who are using an I-20 issued for reinstatement dated on or after 9/1/2004.
Will other F-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.
What about my F-2 dependents?
F-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee, even if the I-20 that the F-2
dependents use is issued on or after 9/1/2004.
Do I have to pay if I transfer to
another school, travel outside the US or renew my visa?
The SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing to another
degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or
suing F-1 program benefits such as practical training, If you are in status when
you travel international ally and are not physically outside of the U.S. for
more than five months, you will NOT be required to pay the fee.
When do I pay the SEVIS fee?
The fee must be paid at least 3 business days BEFORE applying for your visa,
or applying for admission at a US port-of-entry for those exempt from the visa
requirement.
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.
How do I pay the fee?
The fee can be paid to the DHS by mail or online and must be accompanied by a
Form I-901. It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the
US.
To Pay Online
- Find the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com.
- 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 I-20 form.
- Print a copy of the online receipt.
- Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents
To Pay By Mail
- Obtain a Form I-901 “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Non-immigrants.”
- Download the form from www.FMJfee.com
- Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US)
- Complete the 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 US banks only1) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security”
- Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901).
- 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
1Many 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.
To Pay By Western Union Quick Pay™
This method allows students from 130 countries to pay the SEVIS fee in local
currency with this service. Please go to the following website to take advantage
of this option if available in your country.
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.
I applied to more than one school, and
have more than one I-20 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 I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number that you listed
on the I-901 form with you to the U.S. consulate/embassy.
What if my F-1 visa application is
denied?
The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new F-1 visa
within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.
What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status or reinstatement?
- When applying for a change of status or reinstatement please see a Designated School Official in the office of International Students Admissions and Services first.
- Obtain the appropriate Form I-20 from a DHS approved school
- Pay the SEVIS fee by mail, online or by Western Union
- 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 tat the port of entry with the appropriate I-20. It will not be possible to pay the fee at the port of entry.
- For a 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 I-20 form with your application.
For more information regarding the new SEVIS fee requirement or other visa-related matters, contact the International Student Admissions and Services Office at isas@dvc.edu or by phone at (925) 685-1230 X2077.
Click here for helpful links. Last updated: 10/06/2008
