Q. What Is Sevis Fee?

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System or SEVIS pertains to the web-related arrangement followed by the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) across the US. The purpose of the system is to keep information on the students and exchange visitors to the nation. In other words, it comprises an internal databank of all exchange students/ non-national students traveling to study in the US. 

It maintains a record of all your details and the causes of your US trip. The department needs the sponsors (in your instance, the university) to enlist with the department. Effectively, US University achieves the same when they provide you admission and offer you the SEVIS # on the I-20 form.

Students desiring to study in the US need to pay a SEVIS fee sum of USD 350. They are recommended to pay this amount before finishing their Visa Application Form (DS 160) since payment receipts are dispatched by postal mail and may require nearly 15 days to reach. When dispatching the documents, you are also required to submit the original receipt.

The following are the I-901 SEVIS Fee in the USA for different Visa Holders:

• I-901 SEVIS Fee J visa applicants - $220
• I-901 SEVIS Fee for F-3, F-1, M-3 or M-1 visa applicants - $350
• For those taking part in:
• Summer Program, Camp Counsellor Program, Au Pair Program (Exchange students arriving and remaining with the family of an American student in the US) - $35
• Spouses and dependents such as children for F-2, J-2, or M-2 visa holders of students or US exchange visitors - n/a

Applicants need to apply to SEVP-endorsed colleges to be eligible to pay the SEVIS fee. Online payment can be done via a credit card. It can also be done by bank cheque, though that would postpone the process by a minimum of 3 weeks and is not advised.