The SEVIS I-901 fee is required by the U.S. Congress to sustain the program office and the automated system responsible for monitoring international students and ensuring their compliance with status regulations while in the United States. Each international student who receives an initial Form I-20 is obligated to pay this fee to SEVP.

SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment Eligibility

• New students holding I-20s designated for “initial attendance” who are seeking a new F-1 visa from outside the United States.
• New students with I-20s labeled for “initial attendance” who are pursuing a change to F-1 status from another status (e.g., B-2).
• Current F-1 students within the United States applying for reinstatement after being out of status for more than 5 months, and who are provided with an I-20 for reinstatement.
• Canadians (who do not require an F-1 visa to enter the U.S.) should carry a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of entry along with the relevant I-20. Payment of the fee at the port of entry will not be feasible.

Can someone else (friend or family member) pay the fee for me?

Yes. Be sure to obtain a copy of the payment receipt to prove the fee has been paid.

Will continuing F-1 students in the U.S. need to pay?

No, unless the student exceeds a period of 5 months while out of status and subsequently applies for reinstatement, or remains outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months.

What about my F-2 dependents?

F-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee.

Do I Need to Pay if I Transfer to Another School or Change Educational Levels Within the U.S.?

No, you do not have to pay the fee again.

Do I Need to Pay the Fee for Traveling Outside the U.S.?

If your travel duration falls short of 5 months, there’s no requirement for payment. Additionally, as a continuing student, even if you must renew your F-1 visa, there is no fee obligation. However, if your time outside the U.S. exceeds 5 months, you’ll need to remit the fee once more, as you’ll require a new I-20 issuance.

When Should I Submit Payment for the SEVIS Fee??

The fee should be paid at least 3 business days before you apply for your visa, change of status, or reinstatement application.

Can I pay the SEVIS fee at a university, consulate, or airport?

No, at this time the SEVIS fee can only be paid online or by mail.

How do I pay the fee?

The fee can be paid online or by mail. You must include the Form I-901 with the fee. The fee can be paid by the student or by someone else (family member or friend) inside or outside the U.S.

Related Post: How to Pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee Online

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 keep a copy of your fee receipt to use in the future.

If I Applied to Multiple Schools and Received Multiple I-20 Forms, What Occurs if I Pay the SEVIS Fee for One School but Later Choose to Attend Another? Is it Possible to Transfer the SEVIS Fee to the New School?

Please visit: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq and review the section “How can I-901 SEVIS Fee paid on one SEVIS ID be moved to another SEVIS ID”

What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status, or reinstatement?

Obtain a Form I-20 from your chosen school. • Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online or via mail. o Retain a copy of the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt for your records. o Include a copy of the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt with your visa, change of status, or reinstatement application. ▪ For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while enrolled at a different school, submit a copy of that school’s I-20 form and the fee payment receipt with your application.

What if my F-1 visa application is denied?

While the SEVIS fee is non-refundable, if you reapply for an F-1 visa within 12 months of a visa denial, you will not be required to pay the fee again.