SEVIS is an electronic reporting system that provides the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information on international students, scholars, and student-interns in the United States who hold F, J, and M visas.
The DHS has created this internet-based record-keeping system to maintain electronic data for all students, scholars, student-interns, and dependents. The system also tracks entries into the U.S. and departures from the U.S. Every school, college and university that admits students, scholars, or student-interns on F, J or M visas is mandated to implement SEVIS.
What Data Elements Are Tracked?
In addition to the information routinely reported on I-20's and DS-2019’s, other information is reported, including but not limited to: academic status, employment, and residential address.
SEVIS Fee
New F-1 and J-1 students, scholars, and student-interns are required to pay a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee before applying for a U.S. entry visa. The fee does not apply to individuals who are continuing with the same program (those who are not entering on a new I-20 marked “Initial” or a new DS-2019 marked “Begin a new program”). Canadian citizens must pay the fee before going to the U.S. port of entry.
The fee is:
- $350 for F-1 students
- $220 for J-1 students, scholars, and student-interns
For more information about the requirements and how to pay the fee, please go to the USCIS website.
