Basic Information and Links
Students and exchange visitors with a new F-1 or J-1 program are subject to a SEVIS fee. The SEVIS fee must be paid before visiting a United States consulate, entering the United States, or applying for a change status to F or J on the ICE I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System webpage The SEVIS fee is in addition to the visa application fee. This link will also provide instructions on how to pay the fee.
Dependents, continuing students, and continuing exchange visitors, are not required to pay the fee except under certain circumstances. For complete information on who needs to pay the fee see the SEVP Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
For students and scholars sponsored by a government agency (e.g. Fulbright, AMIDEAST, LASPAU), the sponsor may pay the fee; check with the sponsor to confirm.