Ibrahim Gardner
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a US government web-based system that maintains and monitors records of SEVP-certified schools, F and M nonimmigrant students and their dependents, and exchange visitor program sponsors. SEVIS enables the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to ensure proper reporting and record-keeping by schools and exchange visitor programs, and it also provides a mechanism to identify student and exchange visitor status violators. International students must apply to a SEVP-certified school, and upon acceptance, they will receive Form I-20, which is required to apply for their US student visa. This form is a record of the student's information in SEVIS. To apply for a student visa, individuals must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and present their Form I-20 at a US Embassy or Consulate.
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What You'll Learn
Apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school
To create a new initial international student admission in SEVIS, the first step is to apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in the United States. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply to an SEVP-certified school:
Step 1: Find SEVP-Certified Schools
Use the School Search tool to find SEVP-certified schools and programs that are eligible to enrol F-1 and M-1 students. You can also visit the official SEVP and SEVIS website to find the latest information and resources for F (academic) and M (vocational) students.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Prepare and submit your application to the SEVP-certified school(s) of your choice. Each school may have its own application process and requirements, so be sure to review and follow their instructions carefully.
Step 3: Await Acceptance
Once your application is submitted, await the school's decision on your acceptance. The school will review your application and determine if you meet their admission criteria.
Step 4: Receive Form I-20
If you are accepted into an SEVP-certified school, the school's designated official will send you a document called Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." Form I-20 serves as a record of your information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. Each school that accepts you will send you a separate Form I-20.
Step 5: Pay the SEVIS Fee
After receiving your Form I-20, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before applying for your U.S. student visa. You can make the payment online at FMJfee.com or through Western Union Quick Pay. Remember to keep the receipt as proof of payment, as you will need to present it when applying for your visa.
Next Steps:
Once you have completed the steps above, you can proceed with the next steps in the student visa process, including applying for your visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and preparing for your arrival in the United States. Remember to maintain your student status by fulfilling the purpose of your visa and following all associated regulations.
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Receive Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status
To receive Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", you must first apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in the United States. You can use the School Search tool to find SEVP-certified schools and programs that are eligible to enrol F-1 and M-1 students.
Once accepted into an SEVP-certified school, the designated school official (DSO) will send you Form I-20. This form is a record of your information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. Each school that accepts you will send you a Form I-20. It is important to keep this form safe, as you will need it throughout your student life cycle.
After receiving Form I-20, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for your U.S. student visa. You can pay the fee online or via Western Union Quick Pay. Remember to keep the receipt as proof of payment, as you will need to present it when applying for your visa. The SEVIS ID number on the receipt must match the number on your Form I-20.
Form I-20 is crucial when applying for a student visa. You must present it to the consular officer during your visa interview. It also serves as proof that you are legally enrolled in a program of study in the United States and may be required when applying for benefits available to F and M students, such as a driver's license or a social security number. Additionally, if you intend to bring any eligible dependents with you to the United States, each dependent must also obtain their own Form I-20.
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Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, prospective F and M students must provide their name, address, date of birth, email address, country of birth, country of citizenship, school code, and SEVIS Identification Number. This information can be entered at FMJfee.com, where the fee can be paid online. Alternatively, the I-901 SEVIS fee can be paid by Western Union Quick Pay, or by certified check drawn from a U.S. bank. Students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or the Gambia must use one of these alternative payment methods.
The I-901 SEVIS fee must be paid before applying for a U.S. student visa. When applying for a visa, the receipt from the I-901 SEVIS fee payment must be presented as proof of payment. It is important that the SEVIS ID number on the receipt matches the SEVIS ID number on the Form I-20. The receipt can be printed from FMJfee.com.
If you are unable to pay by credit card, you can follow the instructions on SEVP's website to complete the Western Union Quick Pay/Quick Collect form. The SEVIS Form I-901 can also be printed from the SEVP website and mailed in with a check or money order. For assistance with payment, you can call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400.
If you need to make corrections to your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt, email your request at least two weeks before your visa interview. Within two weeks, if your requested changes are not complete, contact the SEVP Response Center.
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Apply for a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate
To apply for a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate, international students must first apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in the United States. Once accepted, the school's designated official will send the student a Form I-20, or "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." This form is a record of the student's information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database.
After receiving the Form I-20, students must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for their US student visa. This fee can be paid online or through Western Union Quick Pay. It is important to keep the receipt as proof of payment, as this must be presented when applying for the visa. The SEVIS ID number on the receipt must match the SEVIS ID number on the Form I-20.
Next, students must gather the necessary documents, including their passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond their period of stay in the US. They should also review the instructions on the website of the US Embassy or Consulate where they will be applying to learn more about fee payment.
Students will need to bring their Form I-20 and other required documents to apply for a student visa from the US Department of State. They will present the Form I-20 to the consular officer during their visa interview. It is important to note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the US; it only permits the student to arrive and seek permission to enter the country. The final authority to admit entry rests with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the US port of entry.
Additionally, students should be aware of the timing of their entry into the US. They must enter the country within 30 days before the official program start date listed on their Form I-20. If they cannot enter the US by the start date, they must contact their school officials to update their record in SEVIS.
Upon visa approval, students may also need to pay a visa issuance fee, depending on their nationality.
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Arrive in the US and seek permission to enter
To arrive in the US and seek permission to enter as an international student, there are several steps you must take. Firstly, you must apply for a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate before coming to the country. This requires paying the I-901 SEVIS fee and obtaining a receipt, which you must present as proof of payment when applying for your visa. Ensure that the SEVIS ID number on your receipt matches the one on your Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."
After receiving your Form I-20 from your designated school official at the SEVP-certified school, you can apply for your visa. Bring your Form I-20 and other required documents to your visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. A valid passport, proof of payment of the visa application fee, and proof of relationship may also be required. It is important to note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the US; it only permits you to arrive and seek permission to enter.
Upon your arrival in the US, you will meet a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry. The CBP officer will verify your information and determine if you may enter the country. If you are admitted into the country, the CBP officer will provide you with a Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record." This process may include an inspection or a Form I-515A, "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor."
It is important to be mindful of the timing of your arrival in the US. International students are typically permitted to enter the country up to 30 days before the official program start date listed on their Form I-20. If you cannot enter the US by the start date on your Form I-20, it is essential to contact your school officials immediately so they can update your record in SEVIS. This ensures that you maintain your student status and follow the associated regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
SEVIS, or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a web-based system that maintains and monitors records of SEVP-certified schools, F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant students and their dependents, and exchange visitor program sponsors. SEVIS ensures that only legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the United States and helps identify status violators to take appropriate enforcement action.
To create a new initial record for an international student in SEVIS, the following steps should be taken:
- The student should apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in the United States.
- Once accepted, the designated school official will send the student a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."
- The student must then pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for their U.S. student visa.
- After paying the fee, the student can apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and present their Form I-20 and other required documents.
If an international student transfers to another SEVP-certified school, the following steps should be taken to transfer their SEVIS record:
- The student should contact the new school's International Admissions office to arrange the receipt of their new Form I-20.
- The student should gather the necessary documents, including their offer of admission and the new school's SEVIS code, and complete the online SEVIS I-20 Transfer/Release Request Webform.
- The student's DSO at the transfer-out school will transfer the SEVIS record to the new school, provided that the student intends to pursue a full course of study at the next available term.
If an international student's SEVIS record is terminated or completed, the ISS office at the student's current school will not complete the transfer without first consulting a DSO at the new school. The student must also have maintained their F-1 status for the transfer to be approved. If the student does not qualify to maintain their status, they must depart the United States within 60 days of their program's end date.
