SEVIS Fee

The SEVIS fee is a one-time fee of $220 to cover the costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

• Prospective Exchange Visitors with “Begin new program” DS-2019s issued on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for an initial J-1 visa outside the U.S.

Note: The fee cannot be paid at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

• Since Canadian citizens are not required to get a U.S. visa stamp,  they are required to pay the fee before going to the port of entry.

Note: The fee cannot be paid at a port of entry.

• Prospective Exchange Visitors with “Begin new program” DS-2019s issued on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying within the U.S. for a change of status to J-1 from another visa category 

Note: The fee cannot be paid at a USCIS Service Center or District  Office.     

• Continuing Exchange Visitors*  who were on a J-1 program sponsored by the U.S. government (e.g. with a program designation number of G-1, G-2 or G-3) and who are now transferring to a J-1 program that is not sponsored by the U.S. government.

• Continuing Exchange Visitors*  who are applying for a change of category within the U.S. (unless they are changing to a program sponsored by the U.S. government).

• Continuing J-1 Exchange Visitors* who are applying for reinstatement after a substantive violation, or who have been out of program status for more than 120 days but fewer than 270 days during the course of their program

Note: *A J-1 Exchange Visitor who has completed an Exchange Visitor Program and wants to participate in another Exchange Visitor Program is NOT considered to be a continuing Exchange Visitor.

Continuing J-1 Exchange Visitors do not have to pay the fee unless circumstances change so that they fit one of the categories mentioned above.

J-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee, even if the “dependent DS-2019” was issued on or after September 1, 2004.

The SEVIS fee is not required when continuing J-1 Exchange Visitors transfer to another J-1 program, change to another degree program or level or request a program extension.

The SEVIS fee is not required when renewing a J-1 visa or traveling outside the U.S. (as long as you are still in J-1 status).

• If you are applying for an initial J-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate outside the U.S., you must pay the fee online prior to applying for your J-1 visa.

• If you are a Canadian citizen and, therefore, do not need a J-1 visa, you must pay the fee prior to entering the U.S.

• If you are applying for a change of status to J-1, you must pay the fee prior to submitting a change of status.

The fee can be paid by accessing the Student and Exchange Visitor Program ("SEVP") SEVIS Form I-901 Fee processing website. As noted by SEVP: "If you choose to pay by check, money order, or Western Union Quick Pay, you must be able to print the Form I‑901 payment coupon when you complete the form online."

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.

Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record, but it is strongly recommended that you retain a copy of your receipt.

For more information on the SEVIS fee, please see: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901