SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. SEVIS is an electronic U.S. government database that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on F-1 and J-1 students in the United States.
All U.S. universities are required to notify SEVIS of certain events during a student’s stay in the U.S., including:
- Course registration and enrollment each term
- English language proficiency
- Current local U.S. address
- Change in major or degree level
- Withdrawal from program of study before completion
- Transfer of school
- Completion of program of study
- Employment based on Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT)
SEVIS is also used to issue Forms I-20 and DS-2019 to eligible students who wish to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the U.S.
SEVIS I-901 Fee
SEVIS I-901 Fee Increase: On May 23, 2019 the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to adjust the SEVIS I-901 fee. The fee increase will take effect on June 24, 2019.
All international students applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to pay a one-time SEVIS fee.
- The SEVIS fee must be made before a visa can be issued by a U.S. consulate.
- This fee is not a DePaul University fee. It is a fee that all student visa applicants must pay to SEVIS.
- The SEVIS fee is in addition to any visa fees a student applicant may be required to pay at a U.S. consulate.
The SEVIS fee may be made by:
- Online payment using a credit card at FMJFEE.com
- Payment through a Western Union
- By completing the paper form I-901 and filing by mail. See the I-901 website for more information.
SEVIS Fee Payment Video Tutorial
Watch this narrated video tutorial for more information on the SEVIS fee.
Please note: If you received a SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019 from DePaul University, you must complete an electronic immigration document check-in within the first week of your arrival.