For international students preparing to study in the US, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) plays a key role in issuing the documents needed to apply for your student visa, as well as maintaining your legal status as a student once your visa is issued. Whether you are applying for an F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa, SEVIS provides the framework that connects you, your school, and the US government, making it a vital part of your academic journey abroad.
Find out more about SEVIS, what it is, and how it works, so you can best prepare for your visa application.
What Is SEVIS?
SEVIS, or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a database managed by the US government’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that keeps track of non-immigrant international students and exchange visitors during their stay in the United States. Whether you are applying for an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa, SEVIS will issue your Form I-20 or DS-2019, which you will need to complete the visa application process.
US schools are also required to use SEVIS to obtain Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which qualifies them to allow non-immigrant students and exchange visitors to enroll at their institution.
How SEVIS Works
Once you are accepted by a SEVP-certified school or exchange program, your school official or program sponsor will create a SEVIS record for you, which is used to generate your Form I-20 or DS-2019. After you have arrived in the US, and throughout your time studying at your chosen university, your school is required to update SEVIS with any changes to important information, such as your enrollment status, current US address, changes in your major or degree level, employment, and compliance with the terms of your stay.
Though SEVP and SEVIS are not responsible for issuing your visa, the documentation it generates and the information it records are vital in completing the visa application process.
SEVIS Fee (Form I-901)
When applying for a US student visa, you will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, which, at the time of publication, is $350 for F-1 and M-1 students and $220 for J-1 exchange visitors. This fee is separate from your visa application fee and must be paid before you attend your visa interview.
Payment can be made online through the official US ICE portal, after which you will receive a receipt as proof of payment. Since the SEVIS fee is required for your visa application to move forward, it is important to pay it early and keep a copy of your payment confirmation.
SEVIS vs SEVP: What’s the Difference?
When learning more about SEVIS, you may find that the term “SEVP” is referenced often, and the distinction between the two may seem confusing at first. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) refers to the program run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that manages schools, programs, international students, and exchange visitors who come to the US to study on F, M, and J visas. SEVIS is the online database system that SEVP uses to keep track of vital information about those who have come to the US on non-immigrant visas.
Study at the Best US Universities with Shorelight’s Help!
Keeping track of visa requirements and government systems like SEVIS may seem complicated at first, but with the right preparation and advice this process can become much easier. Shorelight advisors are ready to help guide you through every step of your academic journey, supporting you in successfully applying to your dream university in the US and achieving your academic and professional goals.
Speak with a Shorelight advisor today to start planning your next steps toward studying in the US >
