The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a federal U.S. government database that maintains and manages data about international students and exchange visitors during their stay in the U.S. SEVIS is the system in which Georgia Tech issues immigration documents (I-20s and DS-2019s) and where OIE updates and makes changes to international students, scholars, and student interns' information.
For more information about SEVIS, please see the U.S. Immigrant and Customs Enforcement website.
What is the SEVIS I-901 fee?
From the time that it was created, the maintenance of SEVIS was required to be financed by a fee paid by all international visitors to the U.S. Therefore, all international students, scholars, and student interns must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for a visa or entering the U.S. if no U.S. visa is required. For information on the fee and updated amounts, please see ICE's website.
When must the fee be paid?
- If an F-1/J-1 visa is required: The fee must be paid and processed at least three business days before going to the consulate to get a visa.
- If a visa is NOT required because the individual is a national of Canada or Bermuda: The fee must be paid before entering the U.S.
How is the fee paid?
For information on how to pay the fee, please see ICE's website. Many GT students in the past have been successful paying via www.fmjfee.com.
I am currently in the U.S. Am I required to pay the fee?
If you maintain your F or J status and stay within the U.S., you are not required to pay the fee. F and J visa holders would be required to pay the SEVIS fee in the following situations:
- After leaving the U.S. for more than 5 months (F-1).
- If applying for reinstatement after being out-of-status for more than 5 months (F-1) or 121 days (J-1).
- If entering the U.S. with a new I-20 (with a new SEVIS number) because of a break in status.
What if I change to F-1/J-1 status in the U.S.?
You must pay the fee before submitting the I-539 application. You should include the receipt with the change of status application.
What advice can be offered for those who must pay the SEVIS fee?
- The Georgia Tech Atlanta campus school code is ATL214F00102000: you will need this number to pay the fee.
- Pay the fee on-line if possible, and print out the receipt. You will be required to present this receipt at your visa appointment in order to receive your visa.
- Take a paper receipt of the fee to the consulate and port-of-entry.
- Pay the fee as soon as possible.
- DO NOT apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa if you are subject to the SEVIS fee and you have not paid the fee.
SEVIS FEE HELPDESK
If you have a problem paying the SEVIS fee, you are able to e-mail the Student and Exchange Vistor Program to resolve the issue at fmjfee.SEVIS@dhs.gov.