Everything You Need to Know About SEVIS
Many international students hear about SEVIS and SEVP when they want to study in the United States. However, you cannot study in the United States without paying your SEVIS fee.
Over the years, many financial brands like Western Union and Pay4Me App have made it easier for you to make this payment before your scheduled student visa interview. Today, we will shed light on what you should know about this topic.
What is SEVIS?
Student & Exchange visitor information System (SEVIS) is a fully automated online internet-based program that keeps track of exchange visitors and international students(F and M visa holders). As a result, the immigration of these people is adequately maintained throughout their stay in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of State uses SEVIS, all U.S. foreign-base embassies, the U.S. department of homeland security, immigration and customs enforcement, the U.S. Department of immigration, and all approved and certified universities.
You receive an electronic record in the SEVIS database once the university enrolls you. As a result, your chosen university issues you an I-20, leading to earning an F-1 or J-1 status.
When to pay SEVIS fees?
You must complete your SEVIS 1-901 form immediately after you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 to help you get registered with the database maintained for U.S. International visitors.
You pay the SEVIS fee during this period and can be paid via Pay4Me App, Western Union Quick pay, or Post.
However, you have to fill out the form SEVIS I-901 on the website http://www.fmjfee.com/ before you can make your payment.
Make sure that the name on the SEVIS application form is the same as on the I-20 form. In addition, you need a printout of the online receipt after payment. With Pay4Me App, the process is seamless.
How Much are SEVIS Fees?
The SEVIS fees cover the cost of maintaining this program and help offer technical support and assistance to the SEVIS users.
The SEVIS fee is USD 350 for F-1 Students. The SEVIS Fee should be paid before starting with the Visa Application Process.
Who Needs to Pay the SEVIS Fee?
You need to pay the SEVIS Fee if:
· You are applying to change your status to F-1 from another nonimmigrant status while in the United States.
· You are applying for a visa as a new student with an I-20.
· You are filing for reinstatement after being out of status while in the United States for more than five months.
· You are traveling to the United States in F-1 status
Who does not need to pay the SEVIS Fee?
You don't have to pay the SEVIS Fee if:
- You are the dependent of an F-1 student, and you have F-2 status.
- Also, you are an F-1 student in lawful status transferring between schools in the United States.
What Information is needed to pay the SEVIS Fee?
You need the following information to pay the SEVIS Fee:
- School Code as listed on the Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
- SEVIS Identification Number as listed on the Form I-20
- Name, address, date of birth, and email address.
- Country of birth and country of citizenship.
SEVIS Fee Fact Sheet
· International students and exchange visitors are subject to the SEVIS fee required to administer and maintain SEVIS, support compliance activities, and establish SEVIS Liaison Officers.
· On September 1, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security began a mandatory collection of a fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
· SEVIS will be used to record and track the I-901 fee payment.
· Those who wish to enter the United States either as a student or an exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated on or after September 1, 2004, must pay the fee.
| SEVIS Error | Remedy
| I paid on the wrong Form I-20 or DS-2019 | Do not repay the fee if the fee is the same. Instead, keep the receipt and both forms to document the action. See the process for reassigning a SEVIS I-901 fee from one SEVIS ID number to another.
| |
| I gave an incorrect address for the receipt | Call the 1-212-620-3418 OR Send an email to [email protected] with Address Correction in the subject line. OR Mail a letter to: SEP ATTN: SEVIS I-901 fee CRU 800 K Street N.W. Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20536 USA Explain the problem and give your name, date of birth, SEVIS ID number, and the correct address for the receipt.
| I spelled my name incorrectly | Call the 1-212-620-3418 OR Send an email to [email protected] with Name Correction in the subject line. OR Mail a letter to: SEP ATTN: SEVIS I-901 fee CRU 800 K Street N.W. Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20536 USA Explain the problem and give your name, date of birth, SEVIS ID number, and the correct address for the receipt.
How to Pay for the I-901 SEVIS Fee
Methods of Payment
Online:
You can use U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement FMJFEE.com. However, citizens of the Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria cannot use the online method. They can pay by certified check drawn from a United States bank, Western Union Quick Pay, or money order
• Complete the online form (I-901) correctly.
• Please enter your name as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019.
• Enter your SEVIS ID number on your I-20 or DS-2019
• Print the online receipt after payment.
Pay4Me App
Pay4Me is for paying travel-related and education fees in any part of the world. It can be downloaded on the Google Play Store or iOS App Store. The five African countries listed above can use this app to pay their SEVIS fee.
To pay for the SEVIS fee on the app, you should do the following:
· Click on Make Payments
· Click on I-901 SEVIS Fee
· Select your destination currency
· Enter transaction amount
· Confirm and Proceed
· Make your Payment
Western Union
The payment instructions can be found on Western Union payment at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.