SEVIS   |  SEVIS Fee

SEVIS INFORMATION AND RECERTIFICATION

In response to the events of 9/11, The United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) implemented regulations to better monitor the activities of international students in the United States. Those regulations included an internet-based tracking system, the Student and Exchange Visitor Informarion System (SEVIS). SEVIS requires schools to regularly report the changes in a student's academic standing, address and immigration status. Among other things, the school's International Student Adviser or Alternated Responsible Officer must report to the ICE the following information:

1. Start and end date of the student's next term or session.
2. Student's failure to enroll.
3. Student's dropping below a full course of study without prior authorization by the International Student Advisor.
4. Any failure to maintain status or complete the program.
5. Change of the student's and/or dependents' legal name or U.S. address.
6. Any disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the student being convicted of a crime.
7. Student's completion date  prior to the program end date listed on the form I-20 or DS-2019.
8. Within 21 days: change of student's name, U.S. address or curriculum of a school by updating the SEVIS record with the current information.
9. Within 30 days:
   
   a. the failure of the student or exchange visitor to enroll or commence studies.
   b. date of the international student's enrollment in an approved institution or exchange   program.
   c. student's degree program and field of study.
   d. student's date of the termination of enrollment and the reason for termination.

• Understanding the SEVIS I-20 and DS-2019 Issuance Process

• In order to receive a SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form, a student must complete a Certificate of Eligibility, only after being admitted  to Hunter College.

• If you are applying for an F-1/ J-1 for the first time, you must also provide the school with proof of financial support.

• If you already have an F-1/J-1 (student or exchange visitor visa), the school must re-certify that you are progressing satisfactorily academically and that you are maintaining immigration status.

• Your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form will be created and sent electronically to SEVIS so that you can receive your new immigration identification number. NOTE: The United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves I-20 requests for F-1 status applicants. The United States Information Agency (USIA) approves  DS-2019 form requests for J-1 applicants. Your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form will be part of your new student record at the USCIS and USIA, respectively.

Student Reporting Responsibilities

• School Registration: If you enter the U.S. as an F-1/J-1 student, the United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services will allow you 30 days to report to your school for registration. Note: If you are already in the U.S. as an F-1/J-1 student and wish to transfer to another school, you must also complete the procedure within 30 days of the closing of school registration.

• Address Change: If you move, you must notify the International Students Office within ten days of your move. Also contact the Hunter College Registrars' Office  with your new address.

• Updated SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 Form: All F-1 and J-1 exchange students presently attending classes at Hunter College must have a valid and updated SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form. If you do not have an updated form, please come to the International Student Office, so that we can help you get one. All United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services forms may be downloaded from the United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services website: www.uscis.gov.

Please make a note of these important changes.  You are strongly advised to visit the International Students Office at your earliest opportunity if you have any questions or concerns about this information.

For more information, download Sevis Fee Basics (PDF).

SEVIS Fee

Effective September 1, 2004, the U.S.Congress has mandated that all F-1 and J-1 applicants  pay a SEVIS fee prior to receiving a visa . All F and M visa applicants must pay a non-refundable $350 fee and J-1 applicants must pay $220. The SEVIS fee can be paid through the internet at www.FMJfee.com, or by mail using a completed Form I-901 with a check or money order, drawn on a United States bank and payable in United States currency. All checks and money orders must be made payable to “I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee”. The name of the student or exchange visitor and his/her SEVIS identification number must be written on the check or money order.

Mail the Form I-901 and payment to:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020

Or you can courier the Form I-901 and payment to:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
1005 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101

F-1, F-2, M-1, and M-3 status holders will need the SEVIS I-20 (certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant status) in order to fill out the I-901 form.

J-1 status holders will need the DS-2019 form (certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor), issued to to them by the designated exchange visitor program where they will participate, in order to fill out the I-901 form.

The following groups must pay the $350 SEVIS fee:

• A) An alien in the United States seeking a change of status to F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3.
• B) A student or exchange J-1 status visitor who is applying for a change of status in the United States.
• C) A person who is applying for reinstatement to J-1 status after being out of status for up to 120 days.
• D) An F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 status holder applying for reinstatement. 
• E) An F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 status holder who had been absent from the United Stated for a period exceeding five months.

For more information, download Sevis Fee Basics (PDF).