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?
1. An individual applying for a J-1 entry visa with a Form DS-2019 to being a new program.
2. An individual applying for a change to J-1 status from another immigration status.
3. An exchange visitor who is in a U.S. government sponsored program and who is transferring to a non-U.S. government sponsored program.
4. An exchange visitor who is applying for a change of category (example: J-1 student to J-1 research scholar).
5. A J-1 exchange visitor applying for reinstatement for a substantive violation.

Will other J-1 Exchange Visitors in the U.S. have to pay?
No, unless the exchange visitor’s circumstances change so that he or she fits one of the
categories mentioned above.

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

Do I have to pay if I transfer to another J-1 program, travel outside the U.S. or renew my visa?
The SEVIS fee is not required when changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing a J-1 visa, using J-1 program benefits such as academic training or transferring to another J-1 program unless the transfer is from a U.S. government sponsored program and who is transferring to a non-U.S. government sponsored program.

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;
• Before filing an application for reinstatement;
• Before applying for a change of category.

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 on 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 “DS-2019”on the next page.
3. Complete the information on the next two pages. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your DS-2019,
- The SEVIS Identification Number is in the upper right hand corner of the DS-2019. It begins with an N and has 10 digits.
- The “Exchange Visitor Program Number is on your DS-2019. The number for DU is: P-1-00069
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. Print the completed I-901 and mail it and the 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 “DS-2019”on the next page.
3. Complete the information on the next two pages. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your DS-2019,
- The SEVIS Identification Number is in the upper right hand corner of the DS-2019. It begins with an N and has 10 digits.
- The “Exchange Visitor Program Number is on your DS-2019. The number for DU is: P-1-00069
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 DS-2019 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 DS-2019 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 a J -1 visa, change of status or reinstatement?
• 1. Obtain the appropriate Form DS-2019.
• 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
• Exchange Visitors 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 DS-2019.
• For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while sponsored by a different program, you should submit a copy of that DS-2019 form with your application.

What if my J -1 visa application is denied?
The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new J-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_exchng_fs.htm