35 Facts About Sevis Fee for International Students
The SEVIS fee is a necessary part of the process of studying in the United States. But beyond that, there's a lot that's not commonly understood about this fee. How does it differ from other visa fees? What's the timeline for paying it? And what happens if you miss the deadline? In this blog post, we'll share 35 facts about the SEVIS fee to help you better understand this important aspect of your education journey.
Whether you're a prospective student just starting to research your options or well into obtaining your visa, this post will provide you with a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about the SEVIS fee. So let's get started!
1. Meaning of Sevis Fee
SEVIS fee, or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee, is a fee that international students and exchange visitors must pay to the U.S. government. It's used to maintain the SEVIS database, which tracks the immigration status and whereabouts of international students and exchange visitors while they are in the United States.
2. How Much Is Sevis Fee Now
The current SEVIS fee for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants is $350 as of March 2023. However, it's important to note that the amount is subject to change, so it's recommended to check the official U.S. government websites for the latest fee information.
3. How to Pay Sevis Fee for F1 Visa
You can pay sevis fee for an F1 visa using a trusted payment platform like the Pay4Me App. Payment takes 24 hours or less to complete.
4. How Do I Pay Sevis Fee Step by Step?
To pay your sevis fee step by step, here’s how:
- Download the Pay4Me App
- Sign up and log in with your details
- Select “SEVIS fee” under “Payments”
- Fill out the required fields
- Pay using your card, bank transfer or USSD
5. Sevis Fee Payment by Debit Card
You can make sevis fee payment with a debit card, local bank card, Ussd, and bank transfer. Log in to the Pay4Me App, fill out the required details, and pay via debit card, bank transfer, or ussd.
6. Sevis Fee for International Students
International students applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the United States must pay SEVIS fee before their visa interview. This is a one-time fee that helps to fund the operation and maintenance of the SEVIS system. As of March 2023, SEVIS fee for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants is $350. However, the fee amount is subject to change, so it's important to check the official U.S. government websites for the latest fee information.
7. Can I Pay Sevis Fee After Visa Interview
No, you cannot pay SEVIS fee after your visa interview. SEVIS fee must be paid before your visa interview, as it is a mandatory requirement for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants. You will need to bring a printed copy of the fee payment receipt to your visa interview as proof of payment.
If you fail to pay SEVIS or pay it too late, your visa application may be delayed or denied. Therefore, paying the fee at least three business days before your visa interview is important to avoid any issues with your visa application.
8. What Is the Validity of the Sevis Fee
SEVIS fee is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of payment. This means that if you pay the fee but do not obtain a visa within 12 months of payment, you will need to pay again if you wish to apply for a new visa.
9. Can I Pay Sevis Fee Online
Yes, you can pay SEVIS fee online. In fact, paying SEVIS online is the recommended method of payment for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants.
To pay SEVIS fee online, you will need to download the Pay4Me App and follow the instructions provided. You must provide your SEVIS ID number, which is located on your I-20 form (for F-1 visa applicants) or DS-2019 form (for J-1 visa applicants), as well as your personal and payment information.
10. Can I Pay Sevis Fee With Credit Card
You can pay sevis fee with your credit card. Simply download the Pay4Me App, follow the payment instructions, and print out the payment confirmation screen as proof of payment.
11. Is Sevis Fee Refundable
SEVIS fee is generally non-refundable. However, in certain circumstances, such as if your visa application is denied or your program is canceled and you re-apply for the same visa within 12 months, you may not need to pay the fee again.
12. How Much Is Sevis I-901 Fee
The SEVIS I-901 fee for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants is $350
13. Documents Required for Sevis Fee
To pay SEVIS fee, you need the following documents:
- Your SEVIS ID number, which can be found on your Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Your passport information
- Your contact information, including email and mailing addresses
- Country of birth and citizenship
- School Code from their Form I-20
Make sure to have all of these documents ready when you begin the SEVIS fee payment process.
14. Why Is Sevis Fee Important?
SEVIS fee is important because it is a mandatory fee that F and M visa applicants must pay to maintain their status as nonimmigrant students in the United States. This fee is used to cover the costs associated with running the SEVIS program, which tracks the activities and statuses of international students and exchange visitors in the US. Paying the SEVIS fee is also a requirement for obtaining a visa to enter the US as an F or M student, and failure to pay the fee could result in delays or denial of your visa application.
15. How Long Does Sevis Fee Last?
SEVIS fee is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of payment. During this time, you can use the fee to obtain a visa and enter the United States as an F or M nonimmigrant student. If you do not use SEVIS fee to obtain a visa within 12 months of the payment date, you will need to pay the fee again.
16. How Many Times Do You Pay the Sevis Fee?
You are required to pay SEVIS fee once for each new F or M visa application you submit unless you are transferring your SEVIS record from one school to another or changing your visa status. If you pay the fee and your visa application is denied, you will need to pay again for a new visa application. If you do not obtain a visa within 12 months of paying the SEVIS fee, you will need to pay the fee again for any future visa applications.
17. How Long Does It Take for Sevis Fee to Reflect?
It takes up to three business days for the SEVIS fee payment to be processed and reflected in the SEVIS database.
18. How Much Is U.S. Sevis Fee in Nigeria?
The SEVIS fee is a standardized fee worldwide, so the amount is the same regardless of your location. As of March 2023, the SEVIS fee for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants is $350.
19. How Much Is F1 Visa Fee in Nigeria?
As of March 2023, the application fee for a nonimmigrant F-1 visa to the United States is $160.
20. Do I Have to Pay Sevis Fee Again After Visa Rejection?
If your visa application is denied and you do not use your SEVIS record to enter the United States, you can request a SEVIS fee transfer to a new SEVIS ID, and you will not have to pay the SEVIS fee again. However, if you do not use your SEVIS record within 12 months of the initial payment, you will have to pay the SEVIS fee again.
21. Can Sevis Fee Be Refunded?
Typically, SEVIS fee is non-refundable. However, if your F-1 visa application is denied, you may be able to avoid paying the fee again if you reapply for a new visa within 12 months of the initial denial.
22. Do I Need to Pay Sevis Fee Again if I Change My University?
If you transfer to a new school within the United States, you will not have to pay SEVIS fee again as long as your SEVIS record is transferred to the new school. However, if you leave the U.S. and subsequently return as an initial student, you must pay the SEVIS fee again.
23. What Happens if I Don't Pay Sevis Fee?
If you do not pay SEVIS fee, you cannot schedule a visa interview. The SEVIS fee payment is a mandatory requirement for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants, and failure to pay the fee will result in your visa application being rejected. Therefore, paying the SEVIS fee as soon as possible after receiving your I-20 or DS-2019 form is important.
24. How Many Days Before Should I Pay Sevis Fee?
SEVIS fee should be paid after you have received your I-20 or DS-2019 but before your visa appointment. Paying the fee at least three days before your visa appointment is crucial to ensure the payment is recorded in the system.
25. How Does Sevis Get Terminated?
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) can be terminated in several ways, including:
- Graduation: SEVIS record of a student can be terminated when the student completes their program of study and the school reports the student's completion to SEVIS.
- Program Withdrawal: A student's SEVIS record can be terminated if the student withdraws from their program before completing it and the school reports the withdrawal to SEVIS.
- Authorized Early Withdrawal: If the school authorizes a student's early withdrawal from their program due to reasons like medical emergencies or academic difficulties, the SEVIS record can be terminated.
- Violation of Status: If a student violates their status, such as working without proper authorization or failing to maintain a full course of study, the SEVIS record can be terminated.
- Failure to Extend Program: If a student fails to extend their program before its end date, their SEVIS record can be terminated.
- Expulsion: If a student is expelled from their school due to disciplinary actions, their SEVIS record can be terminated.
In all cases, the school must report the termination to SEVIS, which updates the student's record accordingly.
26. How Do Nigerians Pay Their Sevis Fee?
Nigerians can pay their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee online using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. To pay SEVIS fee, Nigerian students or exchange visitors should follow these steps:
- Obtain an I-20 or DS-2019 from the U.S. educational institution or exchange program they plan to attend.
- Download the Pay4Me App and log in
- Provide the required information, including your SEVIS coupon number
- Choose the payment method and enter the necessary payment information.
- Print the payment confirmation receipt as evidence of payment.
It's important to note that the SEVIS fee must be paid at least three days before the visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Failure to pay the SEVIS fee or provide the payment confirmation receipt during the visa interview may delay or deny the visa application.
27. Can I Apply for F1 Visa Before Paying Sevis Fee?
You cannot apply for an F1 visa before paying the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee. The SEVIS fee is a mandatory fee that must be paid before applying for an F1 visa. The fee payment confirmation receipt is required at the time of the visa interview, and failure to provide it may delay or deny the visa application.
28. How Do I Know if My Sevis Is Activated?
You can check if your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record has been activated by contacting your U.S. educational institution's designated school official (DSO). The DSO has access to the SEVIS system and can verify the status of your record.
29. Can I Pay Sevis Fee One Day Before Interview?
Paying the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee one day before the visa interview is not recommended because it may not give sufficient time for the payment to be processed and recorded in the SEVIS system. It's crucial to pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before the visa interview to ensure that the payment is recorded in the system, and the payment confirmation receipt can be provided during the visa interview.
30. Is Sevis Fee Required for F1 Visa Interview?
Yes, the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee is required for an F1 visa interview. The SEVIS fee is a mandatory fee that must be paid by all international students who plan to study in the United States with an F1 visa.
31. What Does Sevis Stand For?
SEVIS stands for "Student and Exchange Visitor Information System". It is an internet-based system the United States government uses to track and monitor the status of international students, exchange visitors, and their dependents during their stay in the United States.
SEVIS was introduced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2003 to improve the management and oversight of international students and exchange visitors. The system helps ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws and regulations and supports national security efforts by monitoring the activities and whereabouts of international students and exchange visitors while they are in the United States.
32. Do I Have to Pay Sevis Fee Every Year?
No, you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee every year if you remain in the same academic program, maintain your F1 or J1 status, and do not change your U.S. educational institution. The SEVIS fee is a one-time fee that must be paid before your initial F1 or J1 visa application or if you apply for a new F1 or J1 visa to re-enter the United States after a temporary absence.
33. Is It Compulsory to Pay Sevis Fee?
Yes, paying the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee is compulsory if you are an international student or exchange visitor who plans to study in the United States with an F1 or J1 visa. The SEVIS fee is a mandatory fee that helps fund the operation and maintenance of the SEVIS system, which is used by the U.S. government to track and monitor the activities and whereabouts of international students and exchange visitors while they are in the United States.
34. Sevis Fee Payment Agents in Nigeria
In Nigeria, there are several payment agents that can assist with SEVIS fee payments. One such agent is the Pay4Me App, a cross-border payment platform for international students. The payment platform specializes in processing academic fees like SEVIS, WES, tuition, application, visa, IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, UCAS, and many more.
35. When Must a Student Pay the I-901 Sevis Fee?
International students and exchange visitors planning to study or participate in an exchange program in the United States must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for a U.S. visa.
At Pay4Me, we help international students make cross-border payments such as immigration fees, WES, SEVIS, applications, tuition, and more. Get our app here.