Increases to the I-901 Fee
Please find an official announcement made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding recent increases to the I-901 fee (also known as the “SEVIS fee”). NOTE: These increased fees will only impact students and Exchange Visitors in the following scenarios:
- Students and Exchange Visitors who are entering the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa for the first time, prior to their visa appointment
- Students and Exchange Visitors who already have a valid, unexpired visa stamp in their
passport and are reentering the US on a new SEVIS number through the Reinstatement
process or a new Exchange Visitor program
- Those using the Form I-539 to change from another visa status to F-1 or J-1 status while in the US.
June 18, 2019
On May 23, 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to adjust the fees charged to international students, exchange visitors and Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified (SEVP) schools. At 12 a.m. EDT on June 24, 2019, all students will be required to pay the new and increased fees.
These are the fee changes that will impact students:
- The I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee for F and M international students will increase from $200 to $350.
- DHS will maintain the $35 I-901 SEVIS Fee for J exchange visitors in the au pair, camp counselor, and summer work or travel program participant categories, but increase the full I-901 SEVIS Fee for other J exchange visitors from $180 to $220.
As a reminder, regulation requires that you pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues you a visa. You must present proof of your I-901 SEVIS Fee payment at your visa interview. If you pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee but don’t obtain a your visa or enter the United States prior to June 24, you will not need to pay the difference between the new fee and the old fee.
Click here for further information on the official DHS I-901 Fee website.