Embassy of the United States of America
Rome, Italy

Important Information for International Students and Exchange Visitors to the United States

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collects a Congressionally mandated fee to cover the costs of administering the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is the database that allows SEVP to track international students (F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3 visas), exchange visitors (J-1 visas)and their dependents during their entry to, stay in, and exit from the United States. In general, the fee will only be paid once, but in some cases the fee will be paid again. For example, persons who later participate in a different program will pay another fee for their new program. Certain exchange visitor programs sponsored by the U.S. Government are exempt from the fee.

The SEVIS fee applies to all students and exchange visitors with Forms I-20 or DS-2019. It may be paid by mail, on line or at Western Union Bank. It is extremely important to read the instructions on how to pay the SEVIS fee before completing the related I-901 form. Detailed information about the SEVIS program, the fee, the I-901 form, and methods of payment is available on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/

The SEVIS fee must be paid prior to visa issuance. A student or exchange visitor visa may not be issued without proof that the SEVIS fee has been paid. Three business days are required for the information to be recorded in the SEVIS file, available to the consular officer, which indicates if the fee has been paid. For this reason, students and exchange visitors are strongly advised to pay the fees at least three days prior to the visa interview. Paper SEVIS fee receipts only will not be accepted as proof of payment.

Effective October, 27, 2008 the Student and Exchange Visitor program (SEVP) increased the SEVIS fees for F, M and J travelers and sponsoring schools. Fees for nonimmigrant (F and M) students increased from USD 100 to USD 200, and fees for most exchange visitor (J) travelers increased from USD 100 to USD 180.

Au Pairs, Camp Counselors, and Summer Work/Travel J visa travelers continue to pay a reduced fee of USD 35. Government-sponsored exchange visitors continue to be exempt from the fee. F, M, and J dependents do not need to pay the fee.

F, M, and J applicants who paid their SEVIS fee before October 27 do not need to pay the higher amount, even if they have not traveled or applied for a visa by that date.

The official fee change announcement can be found at: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/sevp_factsheet.pdf

The text of the final rule can be found at: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/fee_rule_text.pdf