Methodist University International Programs

SEVIS I-901 Information

SEVIS Site: www.fmjfee.com

What is the SEVIS I-901 fee?

The SEVIS I-901 fee is required of all foreign nationals who come to the United States for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in institutions such as colleges, universities, and language training programs. It is payable one time for each single educational program in which an F-1 student participates, extending from the time the student is granted F-1 status to the time the student falls out of status, changes status, or departs the U.S. for an extended period of time.

This fee is new and goes into effect September 1, 2004. SEVIS fee payments will be used by the United States Department of Homeland Security to fund this Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This program makes it possible for international students and exchange visitors to attend schools in the United States. The fee also funds the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a computer system employed to track international students and exchange visitors during their stays in the United States.

SEVIS I-901 Form (PDF)

Who must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and when?

You will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee if you were issued a Form I-20 on or after September 1, 2004 AND one of the following conditions applies:

(1) You are seeking an F-1 visa from a United States embassy or consulate for first-time attendance in a language training program. In this case, the SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid BEFORE visa issuance.

(2) You hold a valid F-1 visa, have been absent from the United States for a period of more than 5 months (not working on your studies during this time with the prior approval of your school), and will re-enter the U.S. for a new program of study. In this case, the SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid BEFORE re-entry to the U.S.

(3) As a resident of a contiguous territory or adjacent island, you are exempt from the visa requirement (for example, you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda), and will apply for admission at port-of-entry to begin initial attendance at a U.S. school. In this case, the SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid BEFORE entry to the U.S.

How much is the SEVIS I-901 fee and how do I pay it?

The SEVIS I-901 fee is US $100. This fee is separate from and in addition to the visa application fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid by the Internet or by mail. It can not be paid at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and it can not be paid a port-of-entry.

The fee can be paid by one of two means:

(1) Electronically, by completing a form I-901 through the Internet and using a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card.

(2) By mail, by submitting Form I-901, Fee remittance for certain F, J, and M non-immigrants, together with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency. Sources for such checks and money orders include banks chartered or operated in the U.S., foreign subsidiaries of U.S. banks, or foreign banks that have an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.

***NOTE: A third party such as a friend, family member, or other interested party can pay the SEVIS I-901 fee on your behalf through the same means described above.***

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