International Admission > Student Visas > SEVIS

What is SEVIS?

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:

  1. Online payment using a credit card at FMJFEE.com
  2. Payment through a Western Union
  3. 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.

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