As of September 1, 2004 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires a $100 fee of all foreign nationals coming to the U.S. to begin a new program in F-1 or J-1 status. The fee is used to fund the Student and Exchange Visitor Program which administers and maintains the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Who pays the SEVIS fee?
· Prospective students who are applying for an entry visa with an I-20 for “initial attendance.”
· Prospective students who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another immigration status.
· Current F-1 students in the US filing for reinstatement of F1 status.
· Former F-1 students who have been absent from the U.S. for more than 5 months and who have not been on an approved study abroad program.

Will other F-1 students in the US have to pay?
No, unless the student’s circumstances change so that he or she fits one of the categories mentioned above.

What about my F-2 dependents?
F-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee.

Do I have to pay if I transfer to another school, travel outside the US or renew my visa?
The SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical training. If you are in status when you travel internationally and are not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.

When must the fee be paid?
· At least 3 days before the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate;
· At least 3 days before entering the U.S. if exempt from the visa requirement;
· Before filing an application for a change of status with Citizenship & Immigration Services.

Can I pay the SEVIS fee at a university, consulate or port of entry?
No. The SEVIS fee can only be processed by the Department of Homeland Security via mail or the Internet.

How do I pay the fee?
The fee can be paid to the DHS by mail or on the Internet. It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the US.

To Pay By Mail
1. Obtain a Form I-901 “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants.”
- Download the form from http://www.fmjfee.com/
- Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US)
2. At the bottom of the page, answer “YES” and select “I-20”on the next page.
3. Complete the information on the next two pages. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your I-20,
- The SEVIS Identification Number is in the upper right hand corner of the I-20. It begins with an N and has 10 digits.
- The “School Code” is on your I-20. The code for DU is: DEN 214F 00135 000
4. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security”.
5. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901.
6. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Choose expedited delivery if your visa interview is very soon. You must have the receipt to apply for your visa.
7. Be sure to make copies of your receipt and keep them with your other important immigration documents.

To Pay Online
1. Find the Form I-901 at http://www.fmjfee.com/.
2. At the bottom of the page, answer “YES” and select “I-20”on the next page.
3. Complete the information on the next two pages. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your I-20,
- The SEVIS Identification Number is in the upper right hand corner of the I-20. It begins with an N and has 10 digits.
- The “School Code” is on your I-20. The code for DU is: DEN 214F 00135 000
4. Choose first class mail for your receipt. Expedited delivery is not necessary, because you will print a receipt at the end.
5. On the Credit Card Form you are not required to complete the cardholder address. The space is too small for most international addresses.
6. Be sure to make copies of your receipt and keep them with your other important immigration documents.

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 retain a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.

I applied to more than one school, and have more than one I-20 form. What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school, and then I change my mind and decide that I want to attend the other school? Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes. But you must submit the I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number that you listed on the I-901 form with you to the U.S. consulate/embassy. For change of status or reinstatement applications, please see next question.

What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status or reinstatement?
• Obtain the appropriate Form I-20 from a DHS-approved school.
• Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or on the Internet.
• Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online) for your records.
• Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa, change of status or reinstatement application OR
• Students who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadians, should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of entry with the appropriate I-20.
• For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school, you should submit a copy of that school’s I-20 form with your application.

What if my F-1 visa application is denied?
The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.
For more information regarding the new SEVIS fee requirement or other visa-related matters, contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at 303-871-4912 or isss@du.edu.

Helpful Links:

U.S Embassies Abroad
http://usembassy.state.gov/

USICE Special Registration
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/press_release_0305.shtm

Special Visa Processing for citizens of Countries with Limited or No Visa Services
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1302.html

Visa Wait Times
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php

Visas for Third Country Nationals in Canada or Mexico
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1260.html#TCN

Fees for Visa Services
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/fees/fees_1341.html

Visa Photo Requirements
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html

Visa Denials
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

Airport Status
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp

What to expect upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm