WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized changes to fees charged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools. The new fees will take effect June 24, 2019.
The fees are an estimate of the current and projected costs to fund SEVP operations, including the maintenance of technological systems, the employment of operational staff and ongoing program enhancements.
“SEVP is funded entirely by fees, and does not receive any appropriated funding from Congress,” said Rachel Canty, SEVP program director. “SEVP’s fees have not changed since 2008, although our costs have continued to grow due to inflation, expanded program operations and enhancements to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The new and increased fees will enable the program to continue to provide oversight of international students and SEVP-certified schools.”
Fee increases include:
• The I-901 SEVIS Fee for F and M international students will increase from $200 to $350.
• DHS will maintain the $35 I-901 SEVIS Fee for J exchange visitors in the au pair, camp counselor, and summer work travel program participant categories, but increase the full I-901 SEVIS Fee for other J exchange visitors from $180 to $220.
• The SEVP school certification petition fee for initial certification will increase from $1,700 to $3,000.
New fees include:
• A $1,250 fee for SEVP-certified schools filing a petition for recertification.
• A $675 fee when schools file the Form I-290B, “Notice of Appeal or Motion.”
• DHS will maintain the $655 fee for an initial school site visit but will also charge this fee when a SEVP-certified school changes its physical location or adds a new physical location or campus to its Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student.”
Regulation requires all prospective international students and exchange visitors to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues a visa. Students and exchange visitors who pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee prior to the fee implementation date, but before they obtain a visa or enter the United States, will not need to pay the difference between the new fee and the old fee. Students and exchange visitors will continue to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee on FMJfee.com .
Schools will continue to pay all fees related to the Form I-17 at Pay.gov . Should a school file an initial certification or recertification petition, petition update or Form I-290B, and it is not adjudicated before the fee implementation date, the school will not be required to pay the new or increased fee retroactively.
Read the full rule in the Federal Register .
SEVP monitors more than one million international students pursuing academic or vocational studies (F and M visa holders) in the United States and their dependents. It also certifies schools and programs that enroll these students. The U.S. Department of State monitors exchange visitors (J visa holders) and their dependents and oversees exchange visitor programs.
Both use SEVIS to protect national security by ensuring that students, exchange visitors, designated sponsors and schools comply with U.S. laws. SEVP also collects and shares SEVIS information with government partners, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, so only legitimate international students and exchange visitors enter the United States.
HSI reviews SEVIS records for potential violations and refers cases with possible national security or public safety concerns to its field offices for further investigation. Additionally, SEVP’s Analysis and Operations Center analyzes student and school records for administrative compliance with federal regulations related to studying in the United States.
