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SEVIS/Visa Information for International Students
SEVIS Fee Fact Sheet
SEVIS Fee FAQ
Obtain a Student Visa
Your Visa Application
Your Visa Interview
Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System (SEVIS)
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a
web-based system for maintaining information on international
students and exchange visitors in the United States.
Federal Law requires that Marietta College regularly enter data
about all F-1 and J-1 students into SEVIS. Any changes in an
F-1, J-1 or M-1 student's personal and academic status must be
reported through the SEVIS system, administered by the Student
and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest
investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS).
SEVIS Fee Fact Sheet
- On September 1, 2004 the Department of Homeland Security
began mandatory collection of a fee to cover the costs for the
continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor
Program.
- International students and exchange visitors are subject
to this fee which will be used to administer and maintain
SEVIS, support compliance activities, and establish SEVIS
Liaison Officers.
- SEVIS will be used to record and track the I-901 fee
payment.
- Those who wish to enter the United States either as a
student or an exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019
dated on or after September 1, 2004 are required to pay the
fee.
- The fee is $100 for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. It can be
paid to the DHS by mail, online or in person and must be
accompanied by a Form I-901. It can be paid by you or by a
third party, inside or outside the U.S.
To Pay Online
- Find the Form I-901 (SEVIS Fee Application) at www.FMJfee.com.
- Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa,
MasterCard or American Express information.
Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
- The form requires the SEVIS Identification Number on the
I-20. This number is in the upper right hand corner of the
I-20 and begins with an N and has 10 digits.
- The form requires either a school code for F-1 students
(Marietta College's code: CLE214F00700000), or a program
code for J-1 exchange visitors (Marietta College's program
code: P-1-05189).
- The Credit Card Form has a place for "Cardholder
address." You do not need to complete this part.
- Choose First-class mail (recommended). A copy of your
receipt will be mailed to you for your records.
- Print at least two copies of your receipt and keep them
with your other important immigration documents.
To Pay By Mail
- Obtain a Form I-901
- Download the form from www.FMJfee.com.
- Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the
U.S.)
- Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name
exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
- Prepare a check, international money order or foreign
draft (drawn on US banks only) in the amount of $100 USD, made
payable to "The Department of Homeland Security"
- Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed
on the application form.
- A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed to you within
3 days of processing the fee. *Be sure to make copies of your
receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration
documents.
To Pay By Western Union Quick PayTM Service
This option is available over 130 countries. The Western Union
office collects the fee in local currency, and electronically
transmits the payment and I-901 data to the DHS. The receipt
issued serves as immediate proof of payment for a visa interview
or for admission at a POE. Western Union's Quick Pay form must
be completed in exact detail. These detailed payment
instructions are posted at: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm.
How will the payment be verified?
The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. However, you
need to keep the paper I-797 you should still bring the paper
I-797 or the Internet generated receipt to the visa interview/
POE.
- DHS will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) for every
payment received.
- Individuals who file electronically will be able to print
an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment.
- When applying through the mail, individuals may request
Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt at an
additional cost of $30.
When do prospective students or exchange visitors pay the
SEVIS Fee?
- Applicants who require a visa to enter the United States
must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or
consulate for their visa interview.
- Applicants who are citizens of Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas
and residents of certain other islands wishing to apply for
F-1 or J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the United States
must pay and process the SEVIS fee before appearing at the
Port of Entry.
- Nonimmigrants currently in the United States who apply for
student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to
filing their change of status application.
*The interviewing consular/ POE officer will confirm payment by
accessing SEVIS. To allow for adequate processing time the fee
must be paid at least three business days prior to the visa
interview/POE appearance date.
When must continuing students pay the SEVIS fee?
- When applying for a new visa or returning to the United
States after an absence of more than 5 months that did not
involve authorized overseas study
- Before filing an application for reinstatement when they
have been out of status for more than 5 months;
When must continuing exchange visitors pay the SEVIS
fee?
- Before filing a reinstatement application after they have
been out of status between 121 and 269 days
- Before filing a reinstatement application after a
substantive violation;
Who Does Not Pay the SEVIS Fee?
- Students or exchange visitors who meet all of the
following criteria:
- Started at a school or a program with a Form I-20 or
DS-2019 dated before September 1, 2004;
- Have not completed a program, including students who
transferred schools or changed program levels; and
- Have maintained status
- Applicants who paid the SEVIS Fee, were denied a visa, and
are applying again for the same type of visa within 12 months
of the date of the denial (exchange visitors must apply in the
same category).
- Current students and exchange visitors who have been
issued a Form I-20 or DS-2019 with updated information printed
on or after September 1, 2004, as long as the original form
was dated prior to September 1, 2004.
SEVIS Fee FAQ
- How can I pay with a check or money order drawn on a US
bank if I live outside the US?
The requirement that a check or money order be drawn on a U.S.
bank does not necessarily mean that an applicant living abroad
must approach a United States bank to make a payment. Many
foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn
on a U.S. bank. Accordingly, payment may be made with checks
from banks chartered or operated in the U.S., from foreign
subsidiaries of U.S. banks, or from foreign banks that have an
arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or
foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.
- Can someone pay the SEVIS Fee for me?
Yes. You may have a relative, friend or even a school or
program sponsor pay the fee for you. If do not have access to
the payment methods described on this sheet, you may find it
easier to have someone in the United States pay the fee for
you. If someone else fills out the application for you, be
sure you give them a copy of your Form I-20 or DS-2019.
Whoever fills out the form will need your personal information
exactly as it appears on this document.
- Do I need to pay the fee before I receive a Form I-20
or DS-2019?
No, you must have a Form I-20 or DS-2019 before you pay the
fee.
- Do I pay the fee for every Form I-20 or DS-2019 I
receive?
No. If you receive acceptance packages from several schools or
Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors, please select a school or
program and use that Form I-20 or DS-2019 to pay the SEVIS
Fee.
Fee payment is made for a specific SEVIS ID number.
- Do I need to pay the fee if I am already enrolled as an
F-1 or J-1?
No. You do not have to pay the fee if you are currently in the
United States as a nonimmigrant student or exchange visitor
and you have maintained your status.
- Am I required to pay the fee if I am extending my
program of study?
F-1 or J-1 visa holders applying for an extension of stay are
not required to the pay the SEVIS Fee.
- Am I required to pay the fee if I change of educational
levels?
You do not have to pay the SEVIS Fee if you are an F-1 who is
changing educational levels. Examples are:
- You graduated from high school and are going directly
into college
- You received your Bachelor's degree and are going
directly into a graduate program
- Am I required to pay the fee if I transfer schools?
You do not have to pay the SEVIS Fee if you transfer between
approved schools. If you are an F-1, your I-20 will have
Initial attendance at this school in block 3, but your SEVIS
records will show that you have maintained your status and are
continuing your education. It will be helpful if you ask your
DSO to put Continuing student transfer in the remarks.
- Do I pay the fee again after a visa denial?
You do not have to pay the SEVIS Fee if you have already paid
a SEVIS Fee and you are reapplying for the same type of visa
within twelve months of the date of initial denial.
- Do I need to pay the SEVIS Fee if I need a new visa to
return to the United States to continue my studies or
participate in an exchange visitor program?
No. When you are applying for a new visa to return to the
United States, you do not have to pay the fee if you are
reentering to continue a program of study and:
- You maintained your status
- You have not completed your program unless you are an F
student transferring to another school or program within
five months of leaving the United States
- You have not been out of the United States for more than
five months except to participate in a study abroad program
approved by your school
- What happens if my Form I-20 or DS-2019 was issued
before September 1, 2004, but was updated and reissued after
September 1, 2004. Do I have to pay the SEVIS Fee?
No, however, you need to keep the original Form I-20 or
DS-2019 with the original issuance date in case you need to
prove you were not required to pay the SEVIS Fee.
Obtain a Student Visa
After you are accepted to Marietta College, you need an F-1
Student Visa. We have included tips on how to be prepared for
this task, but we also recommend that you visit the U.S. State Department Web site for
additional information.
Understand that the details vary for each student. You must
obtain accurate information, instructions, and forms for the
specific U.S. Consulate in your country. Please check for an
official list of U.S. embassies and
consulates in your country.
Typically, U.S. Consulates allow students to apply for the F-1
student visa no sooner than 90 days before the "start date"
indicated on the I-20 (a form you will receive from Marietta).
Issuance of the visa can take from one week to several months. May
through August are the busiest months for student visas, so we
recommend you begin the process as soon as you can. Some
Consulates may require a 30-day waiting period to conduct a
background check. Do not wait until the last minute.
Most U.S. Consulates require that your passport be valid for at
least six months after the date you plan to enter the U.S.
Most U.S. Consulates have very strict requirements about how you
can submit your visa application. Some have a "drop box"; some
require that you mail the application; some require that you use
a visa service or travel agent.
Your Visa Application
What do visa officers look for when you apply for an F-1 student
visa? There are several things to be aware of.
- Evidence of your ability and intention to be a
full-time student at Marietta College. You will be
required to present certain documents:
- Certificate of Visa Eligibility (the I-20 Form or the
DS-2019 Form for J-1 visas)
- Official acceptance letter from Marietta College
- Academic transcripts (with high marks)
- TOEFL score reports, or other standardized test scores
(SAT, GRE, etc.). Note: It is good to take these
standardized tests even if not required by your institution,
since US Consulates reserve the right to ask for these,
regardless of university requirements.
The officer may also check to see if you are prepared to
successfully complete your studies for the major to which you
have been admitted. If they doubt that you will succeed at MC
in the major/department you indicated, they can reject your
visa application.
- Evidence that you have adequate financial resources to
pay for your studies and living expenses while in the U.S.,
without needing a job while in the U.S. You must
demonstrate sufficient financial resources by showing the
visa officer your financial documents. If you are receiving a
scholarship, be sure that your award letter is printed on
official Marietta College letterhead paper. Some consulates
require bank statements, past tax statements, company letters,
employment contracts, etc. Some consulates require that you
show evidence of funds for all years of study; others require
only one year. Some require an actual bank draft for the
amount listed on the I-20. Be absolutely sure that the
documents are prepared and presented in exactly the manner
required (for example, if they say "original only," that means
no copies, no certified copies, no notarized copies,
etc.).
- Evidence that you intend to go to the U.S. only to
study; certainty that you do not intend to immigrate to the
U.S. This can be the most difficult requirement. U.S.
Consular visa officers are required by law to assume that you
intend to immigrate to the U.S., and that, therefore, they
should reject your visa application. You must show
documentation of "strong ties" to your home country
and legitimate, self-serving reasons to return home after
graduation. "Strong ties" are things that bind you to your
homeland: future job, family, financial prospects, property
that you will inherit, investments, etc.
Your Visa Interview
If you are required to have a personal interview, what can you
expect? What kinds of questions might you be asked? Here are
some tips and examples.
Things to do.
- Come to the interview well groomed and dressed neatly (but a suit or formal dress is not required).
- Come to the interview prepared with all of the forms and documents as specified in the consulate's instructions. Have them organized neatly and logically.
- Be prepared for quick, rapid-fire questions from the visa officer, and keep your answers short and direct.
- Practice your conversational English. Speak clearly and with the appropriate volume.
- Do not argue. Maintain a positive attitude. Be friendly and courteous.
- Do not memorize your answers.
Interview procedures.
- The interview will almost always be conducted in English
and will be very short (probably 2-3 minutes).
- Family members, friends, or representatives cannot
attend the interview with you in most cases.
- The visa officer will render his/her decision immediately
when the interview is finished.
Possible questions.
- What is/was your high school (secondary school) GPA (grade point average)?
- Graduate students: What is/was your university GPA?
- Did you apply to local universities? If not, why not?
- If yes, why aren't you going to a local university?
- How many U.S. schools did you apply to?
- How many U.S. schools accepted you?
- Why did you apply to MC?
- Did you do a lot of research about MC? What is so good about MC?
- Why did you choose MC? Name five things about MC that made you decide to choose it.
- Why didn't you choose the other universities?
- What do you want to study? What's your major? Why did you choose it?
- What do you expect to gain from your education?
- What's the job scope (job market) for this major?
- Do you plan to stay in the U.S. after graduation and work?
- Would you like to stay in the U.S. after graduation in order to work?
- Do you have family in the U.S.?
- Do you have family members that studied in the U.S. and then returned to your home country?
- Does your family own any homes, businesses, or property in the U.S.?
- Does your family have any funds (bank accounts, money markets, stocks, etc.) in the U.S.?
- How do you and your family plan to finance your education in the U.S.?
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