This week, the US Department of State issued a cable on the subject of SEVIS fees to all diplomatic and consular posts. 

All persons applying for F, J, and M visas with I-20 or DS-2019 forms with an issue date of September 1, 2004 or later must pay the SEVIS fee (currently $100) before applying for their visas.  Consular sections will be responsible for verifying the paid SEVIS fee but won’t be responsible for collecting the fee.

There are three options for SEVIS fee payment:

1.       DHS has a lock box to accept fee payment by mail, in the form of a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank.

2.       DHS has set up a web site on the Internet to accept credit card payments of the fee.

3.       Exchange visitor program sponsors may apply for participation in the “Bulk Filer” program.  This option requires prior approval of DHS.

The exceptions to this notice are:

·         Individuals sponsored by the Federal Government are exempt from payment.

• Individuals applying for the above visas in India and China will be required to pay the SEVIS fee at the post.  These two countries are participating in a pilot program to test the feasibility of collecting fees at the post.

Students and exchange visitors who are already in the US in the F, J, or M statuses will not have to pay the SEVIS fee unless they are applying for a reinstatement to status, a change of status to one of the F, J, or M categories, or have to apply for a new visa abroad, after September 1, 2004, or are returning to the US after an absence of 5 months or more, except in the authorized cases of study abroad.  Students and exchange visitors should discuss the applicability of this fee to their cases with their Designated School Officials or Responsible Officers before leaving the country or applying for a change of status or reinstatement. 

To ensure verification of the payment, the fee must be processed at least three business days before the visa interview.   After paying the fee, the individual will receive a receipt by return mail, or electronically.   This receipt will be presented to the consular officers at the time of the visa filing.  The SEVIS fee is valid for twelve months from the date of the initial application. 

For more information, please view www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/sevis/index/htm.