According to information from the official page of the US Department of Homeland Security, we know that SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This is an information system based on the internet where data is collected on foreign students who will go to the United States with an F (academic), M (professional) student visa or J (exchange program) visa to participate in an education or exchange program. For more information and explanations, keep reading, we will help you understand EVERYTHING ABOUT SEVIS.
SEVIS: What Is It Exactly And How Is The Fee Paid For Sevis?
What is SEVIS?
SEVIS is managed by The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on an internet-based system that records all the information within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Using SEVIS, American schools and sponsors in the USA can control all the movements of foreign students over the internet during their stay in the country.
In the SEVIS system, there is information regarding the entry/exit to the USA, an extension of the program, a change of school, a change of address in the USA, and changes in the study program if it is for study purposes.
The history of SEVIS in America:
Enacted in 1996, SEVIS was developed to ensure domestic security and control the legal entry of more than 1 million non-immigrant students into the United States. Schools and sponsors regularly update student information in this important monitoring system.
What is the SEVIS id or number?
SEVIS Number is a 10-digit number on the acceptance document sent by the institution or exchange visitor program in the USA.
SEVIS ID starts with the letter N. The SEVIS Number is located at the top right of the official document, known as the I-20 form, of your acceptance by the schools.
How can a student get a SEVIS ID?
Students who have not previously studied in the USA may not know how to get a SEVIS ID.
Students who want to study in the USA must first obtain an official acceptance certificate from the program they will attend. Known as an I-20 or DS-2019 form, these acceptance documents can be considered the first step to applying for a visa.
Your acceptance certificate is provided by the agency you receive consultancy from. Your advisor will ask you for your bank account information, language proficiency, passport, etc. by requesting documents, which are sent to the school/sponsor in America. If you are accepted, your official I-20 or DS-2019 form will be sent to your agency.
The I-20 document is prepared for F and M visa students who will study academic, vocational, or language education. The DS-2019 document is issued for students who will do work and travel and will receive a J exchange visitor visa. The SEVIS ID or SEVIS number required to pay the SEVIS fee is included in this document. The I-20 admission document includes your education details, identity information, average annual expenses, and accommodation details. It can take 15-20 days to issue the I-20 acceptance certificate.
Some FAQs about SEVIS Fee
Who is required to pay for SEVIS?
Foreign students are required to register in this system. However, certain conditions must be fulfilled for registration in this high-standard security and control system. The SEVIS fee is one of these conditions.
The SEVIS Fee (I-901 fee) has been collected by DHS since September 1, 2004.
SEVIS registration and fees are mandatory for those individuals who decide to study in America and receive acceptance from a SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certified school. It is an amount that must be paid in order to enter the country.
Here is a list of those required to pay the SEVIS fee:
- For F and M visa students, the SEVIS fee must be paid before the application.
- Those who are dependent on an F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa and will apply for an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa do not pay the SEVIS fee.
- Students with F or M visa status who have been outside the US for 5 months must pay the SEVIS fee again in order to continue their education in the US.
- Those who are dependent on an F-1, M-1 or J-1 visa and will apply for an F-2, M-2 or J-2 visa do not pay the SEVIS fee.
- Students who want to transfer to a different university in the USA after obtaining a visa do not pay the SEVIS fee again.
How can I pay the SEVIS fee?
- Carry the I-20 / DS-2019 acceptance certificate from the institution in America
- 120 days prior to the registration date obtain a visa appointment at the latest which is written in the document.
- Payment of the SEVIS fee with the SEVIS number on the acceptance certificate
- Payment of the SEVIS fee before the visa appointment and receipt of the receipt must be followed.
- For more assistance, you can also check the official website of the Department of Homeland Security.
How is the SEVIS Fee calculated?
A fee is required to register for SEVIS, which we can translate as a student and exchange program visitor information system.
The service fee is 350 USD for F and M visa students and 220 USD for J visa applicants.
You are expected to meet some prerequisites until you reach the SEVIS fee stage.
How is the SEVIS fee paid?
If you are among the students who will be studying in America for the first time, you should definitely read the answer to the question of how to pay the SEVIS fee.
In order to pay the SEVIS fee, you need to get your official acceptance certificate, as we mentioned in the previous section. You can pay the service fee online at FMJFee.com via credit or debit card. In addition to the 10-digit SEVIS ID, you must also enter some of your personal information requested on the payment screen on the official website. It is possible to receive the payment receipt quickly after the transaction.
You can also make SEVIS Payment via Western Union. In order to pay with Western Union, you must fill out Form I-901. You can access payment stages and directions via Western Union by clicking here. Your payment with Western Union Company is generally confirmed after 2-3 days. Since you need a payment receipt, you can go to your visa interview after approval.
In addition to the above payment methods, courier service and mail payment alternatives are also offered. Payments made by mail can take up to 2 weeks to be approved. Delivery of payments made by courier service is fast, but the fee is usually higher than for those who prefer postal services.
Can someone else pay my SEVIS fee?
It is also possible for someone else to make the SEVIS payment for you.
If you need support while paying the SEVIS fee, you can contact us at (US)1-703-603-3400 or via the e-mail address fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov.
When is the SEVIS fee paid?
If you say when the SEVIS fee will be paid, there is no definite and clear date for it. However, there are some circumstances that will affect your payment.
You are allowed to apply for a visa up to 120 days (4 months) before the registration date written on the I-20 / DS-2019 form, which is the official admission document. It is possible to make a visa appointment before paying the SEVIS fee, but you must submit the receipt of the payment of the SEVIS fee in the visa documents on the day of your visa appointment.
How long is the SEVIS fee validity period?
Individuals who will apply for a student visa (F-1, F-3, M-1 or M-3) for the first time in the USA do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again if they reapply within 1 year.
Students who have applied for a visa and are rejected can also make a new application with the SEVIS Fee they have paid before. The validity period of the SEVIS fee is 12 months.
WARNING: However, even if it is an F or M visa, it is 5 months or more. Students residing outside the US will need to pay the SEVIS fee again in order to continue their education in the US. To find out the status of your SEVIS fee, you can get information by clicking the check I-901 button on the FMJfee.com web page.
SEVIS fee refund (process + terms and conditions):
To request a SEVIS refund, you can write to SEVP’s email address fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov. During the return request, your SEVIS number, name, and reason for the return must be included on the receipt. You must also add an email address or phone number so that they can contact you and get more detailed information. SEVIS refunds are made to whoever paid the fee. If it was made with a credit card or debit card, it is refunded to the same account.
Here are some circumstances where you CAN get a SEVIS refund:
- If you have accidentally paid SEVIS more than once,
- If you have participated in an exchange visitor program that is exempt from the SEVIS fee, you can get your payment back.
Here are some circumstances where you CANNOT get a SEVIS refund:
SEVIS fee refund is one of the issues that students wonder about because there are some terms and conditions:
- You stop applying for a visa after making your SEVIS payment,
- Rejection of your visa or application,
- Refusal to enter the United States,
- You cannot get your SEVIS fee back if you change your status or withdraw your renewal application.