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The SEVIS fee is a fee charged by the US government for the use of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a database that tracks the records of F and M nonimmigrant visa holders (including international students) and their dependents. The fee is required for all new students, exchange visitors, and their dependents who will be entering the United States for the first time in F or M visa status.
The SEVIS fee is a one-time fee that must be paid before applying for a student visa or entering the United States in F or M visa status. The fee must be paid by the student or exchange visitor directly to the US government, and cannot be paid by a third party.
The SEVIS fee amount varies depending on the type of visa and the level of study. As of 2023, the fee for F and M visa applicants is $350 for undergraduate programs and $220 for all other programs. This fee is subject to change by the US government.
Once the SEVIS fee is paid, the student or exchange visitor must keep the receipt as proof of payment, as it will be required during the visa application process. If the student changes schools or programs, the SEVIS fee does not have to be paid again, as long as the same SEVIS ID number is used. However, if the student or exchange visitor leaves the United States for more than five months, a new SEVIS fee will be required upon re-entry.
