Ibrahim Gardner
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools, F-1 and M-1 students who attend those schools, and J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants. All international students are required to complete the SEVIS registration procedure within the first 10 days of each semester. To register, students must first apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States. If accepted, the school will register the student for SEVIS and issue a Form I-20, which the student must present when applying for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is SEVIS? | The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on F-1 and M-1 students who come to the U.S. to attend SEVP-certified schools. |
| Who needs to register with SEVIS? | All international students are required to complete the SEVIS registration procedure at the beginning of every semester. This includes the student's spouse and/or children if they intend to live with the student in the U.S. while they study. |
| When to register with SEVIS? | International students must complete the SEVIS registration procedure within the first 10 days of each semester. |
| How to register with SEVIS? | Students must obtain Form I-20 from their SEVP-approved school and register in SEVIS. They can then apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. |
| SEVIS registration requirements | Students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. They must also provide a U.S. physical address. |
| SEVIS registration for continuing students | Continuing students may be issued student visas at any time, as long as they are enrolled at a SEVP-approved school or institution and are in SEVIS. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding SEVIS
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools. It also tracks F-1 and M-1 students who come to the United States to attend those schools, as well as U.S. Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors and J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants.
SEVIS registration is a procedure that all international students are required to complete within the first 10 days of each semester. This ensures that the necessary documents are filed with the Office of International Student Services (OISS) and that the OISS complies with federal immigration rules. It is also used to report full-time enrollment for F-1 and M-1 students.
SEVIS registration is typically conducted at least twice during the school year. It must be completed on all appropriate SEVIS records no later than 30 days after the start of each session. Prior to completing a student's registration, Designated School Officials (DSOs) must determine whether every initial and active F-1 and M-1 student at their institution is eligible for SEVIS registration.
To be eligible for SEVIS registration, students must have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee and have a U.S. physical address on file. Students must also ensure that their SEVIS record is up to date, as immigration officials may refer to it when applying for a visa or upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry.
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Required documents
To register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), international students must provide the following documents:
- A valid passport that will remain valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements).
- Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students," or Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students." This form is issued by the SEVP-approved school after they have entered your information in the SEVIS database. Both the student and a school official must sign the form.
- Proof of SEVIS I-901 Fee payment. This fee is required for F-1 and M-1 students and is used to partially fund the SEVIS system.
- If you entered the U.S. through an airport, you will need to visit www.cbp.gov/i94, enter your information, and print a copy of your electronic I-94.
- If your spouse and/or minor children will be living with you in the United States while you study, they must also provide individual Form I-20s, proof of your relationship, and a copy of your F-1 or M-1 visa. They do not need to pay the SEVIS fee.
- Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school.
- Evidence of your intent to depart the United States upon completion of your course of study.
It is important to note that SEVIS registration must be completed within the first 10 days of each semester, and all required documents must be placed on file at the Office of International Student Services (OISS).
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Eligibility
To be eligible to register with SEVIS, you must be an international student enrolled at a SEVP-approved school or institution in the United States. SEVIS, or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools, and F-1, M-1, and J-1 students who come to the United States to attend those schools.
F-1 students are academic and language students, while M-1 students are vocational students. F-1 and M-1 visas are also available for continuing students, as long as they are currently enrolled at a SEVP-approved school or institution and in SEVIS. Additionally, F-2 and M-2 visas are available for spouses and unmarried, minor children who intend to reside with the student during their studies. While SEVIS fee payment is not required for F-2 and M-2 visas, the school must issue an individual Form I-20, which is necessary for visa application.
To be eligible for SEVIS registration, students must have paid the I-901 SEVIS fee and have a U.S. physical address. Additionally, DSOs must confirm that the student has enrolled in a full course of study for the session and has not dropped below a full course of study without prior authorization. It is best practice to conduct SEVIS registration at least two times during the school year.
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Paying the SEVIS fee
All international students are required to complete the SEVIS registration procedure within the first 10 days of each semester. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is used by designated school officials (DSOs) to report full-time enrollment for their F-1 and M-1 students.
The SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid before the Department of State issues a visa. This applies to all prospective F and M students, including those from countries where a visa to travel to the US is mandatory, and those from visa waiver countries. Students applying for reinstatement of student status due to a violation of status must also pay the I-901 SEVIS fee if they have been out of status for more than five months.
To pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, visit FMJfee.com and provide the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Country of birth and country of citizenship
- School Code as listed on the Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”
- SEVIS Identification Number as listed on the Form I-20
Students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or the Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn from a US bank. All other students can pay by credit card on FMJfee.com. Third-party payments are accepted, but they are restricted to the same methods of payment. Students can also print and mail in their paper SEVIS Form I-901 with a check or money order.
After paying the I-901 SEVIS fee, students must print a receipt of payment from FMJfee.com. This will serve as proof of payment and must be presented at the visa interview. If there are any misspellings on the receipt or if the student wishes to transfer their payment to a new SEVIS record, they must email [email protected] at least two weeks before their visa interview.
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Creating an SEVP Portal account
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools. All international students are required to complete the SEVIS registration procedure within the first 10 days of each semester.
To create an SEVP Portal account, there are four basic steps:
- SEVIS notifies the SEVP Portal of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) approval of the student's OPT or practical training, and the OPT authorization becomes active.
- The portal emails the student instructions for creating a portal account. The student receives an email with a unique link that they must use to create the account.
- The student clicks the link in the email and enters their SEVIS ID and creates a password.
- The SEVP Portal creates the student's user profile.
It is important to note that the link in the email can only be used once and is unique to the student. If a student does not receive the notification email, they should check their spam or junk mail folders and confirm that the correct email address is in their SEVIS record. They can also request that the portal resend the account creation email.
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Frequently asked questions
SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on F-1 and M-1 students who come to the United States to study at SEVP-certified schools.
To register with SEVIS, you must first apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States. If the school accepts your enrollment, they will register you for SEVIS and issue you a Form I-20. You will then need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
To maintain your student status in SEVIS, you must be enrolled full-time in a program of study at a SEVP-approved school. If you have any changes to your enrollment status, address, or academic program, you must update your SEVIS record through your school's Designated School Official (DSO).
To create an SEVP Portal account, you will first receive an email from [email protected] with a link to the registration page. On the registration page, you will be asked to enter your SEVIS ID number and create a password.
