The American continent; the USA. the nation where dreams come true and people from all around compete for a foothold in the pursuit of achieving their goals. Students from hundreds of nations worldwide want to pursue their higher education in the United States, which is home to some of the most prominent and well-known colleges in the world.
As a result, there are several publications online that explain how to apply for a visa and other study-related tasks. Some articles may refer to a SEVIS fee without providing any context or explanation. In this post, we examine the definition of a SEVIS charge as well as when, how much, and how to pay it.
What is a SEVIS fee?
When requesting a student visa to the US, many students may be confused about what the SEVIS cost is. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is known as SEVIS. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security runs this totally automated system to keep track of foreign students and exchange students (those with F visas) coming to the US. It serves as an internal database that records all of these individuals’ information and details.
Students are required to pay the SEVIS fee before they can begin filling out their visa application form. When a student is admitted, the university that serves as their sponsor must register with the department and provide them their unique SEVIS number.The student receives their I-20 from the university, which aids them in obtaining an F-1 or J-1 status.
Let’s go on to its other specifics now that we have clarified what a SEVIS fee is.
When to pay the SEVIS fee? | What is a SEVIS fee?
The institution will provide an I-20 to a student once they are admitted to their preferred university in the United States. Following receipt of it, the student must complete the SEVIS I-901 form so that their specific data may be entered into the database of non-national visitors. The student must now pay their SEVIS charge at this stage.
How to pay the SEVIS fee?
The payment for the fee can be made using a variety of methods. Visa, Mastercard, or American Express must be used to make payments to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement online. The student’s I-901 form contains the address where they should send their check if they choose the second option, which is through mail. Western Union is the third choice.
Amount or fees to be paid? | What is a SEVIS fee?
The money obtained through these fees is mostly used to offer support and technical assistance to those who have enrolled in the database. The money is also used to maintain the system and to ensure that the processing of visas continues without any hitches. Holders of F, M, and J visas are responsible for paying the SEVIS fee.
Prior to receiving a visa, a payment of the SEVIS fee, which typically costs $200, must be made. The charge for SEVIS is $200, which clearly addresses the question of how much it costs F1 visa applicants. While J1 visa candidates must pay $180.
Process of paying the SEVIS fee
The steps for paying the cost are outlined here, starting with which website to use to fill out the application and ending with how candidates will receive their receipts.
Look for the option “Submit I-901 Form and Fee Payment” and click on it.
That should lead you to the form. Fill out the form carefully with all your relevant details and make sure to fill in all the correct information and cross-check for any errors. A point of significance is to make sure that the details match the ones listed on your I-20 card. Fill out the SEVIS number as exactly mentioned on your I-20.
Another point of note is to give the same address for your UPS Delivery and SEVIS fee receipt. The latter would be mailed to you and will be required for your visa interview.
Choose your option of standard or expedited delivery. The former does not cost you extra.
Upon selecting your delivery, you will land on the payment section. Select your preferred form of payment and do the needful.
A receipt will be generated and you will need to take a printout of the same.