Exchange Visitor Fees

ISSS Fees

ISSS charges the following administrative fees for preparing J-1 Exchange Visitor documents. These fees are payable via EFS only. Departments may elect to recoup this fee from participants. Effective July 1, 2024:

  • $500: J-1 Scholars (charged at the point a DS-2019 document is issued)
  • $550: J-1 Student-Interns (half when application is submitted, half upon DS-2019 issuance)

Government Fees

Additionally, J-1 Exchange Visitors must pay the following U.S. government fees:

$220: I-901 SEVIS Fee (required by the Department of Homeland Security; must show proof of payment at the visa interview. DHS recommends paying the SEVIS fee at least 3 days before the visa appointment.)

$185: DS-160 Non-immigrant Visa Application Fee (required by the Department of State if applying for a J-1 visa to enter the United States)

If a visitor is already in the United States and applies for a change of status to J-1 from within the country, they are not required to pay the DS-160 non-immigrant visa application fee, but would need to pay the SEVIS Fee and the  Form I-539 filing fee instead ($420 or $470, depending on application method).

Last updated: July 3, 2024