SEVIS Brief Information
International students coming to the United States of America to study have to deal with SEVIS. Often, many students are confused about the significance of SEVIS when applying for admission abroad. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an online platform that the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) makes use to maintain data or information that regards the following:
U.S. Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools.
J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants (and their J-2 dependents).
F-1 and M-1 students studying in the United States (and their F-2 and M-2 dependents).
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) manages SEVIS and acts as a bridge for government organizations that need data on nonimmigrants coming to the United States as students. SEVP uses SEVIS to protect the country’s security. It also supports the legal entry and stays of F, M, and J nonimmigrants that are coming to the United States for their educational and cultural exchange programs.
What is the Purpose of the I-901 SEVIS Fee?
The I-901 SEVIS Fee is a mandatory fee that must be paid by people seeking F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 nonimmigrant status. The fee does not replace your visa fee. It is used to take care of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program in DHS.
The fee is used to:
Support the current version of SEVIS. The fee is also used in developing and deploying the next modifications to SEVIS.
Hire and train the SEVP Field Representatives
The fee is used to support the employees and manage the SEVP Office to:
Develop SEVP policies and procedures
Offer SEVIS-related training, assistance, and problem resolution to the schools and exchange visitor program sponsors.
The fee is used in maintaining enforcement oversight to ensure that:
Students or exchange visitors who fail to maintain status either apply for reinstatement or leave the United States.
Schools are maintained with accurate, timely data or information.
Who does not have to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee?
International students who are already in the United States as exchange visitors, and have maintained your status.
Students whose program code on their DS-2019 starts with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7. The United States federal government sponsors its programs.
Students re-entering the United States to continue an exchange visitor program or program of study and maintain their status using the same SEVIS ID and have not completed their programs.
Students transferring between programs in the same exchange visitor category unless the new program requires a higher fee and are using the same SEVIS ID.
Students applying for an extension of stay so they can have additional time to complete their current program.
Students who have already paid and their visa was denied and are applying again within 12 months of the initial payment for a visa in the same exchange visitor category.
