F-1 & J-1 SEVIS Fee Requirement (I-901 Fee)
I-901 SEVIS FEE OVERVIEW
U.S. immigration regulations REQUIRE all F-1 nonimmigrant students and J-1 exchange visitor students, including citizens of Canada and Bermuda, to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee BEFORE entering the U.S.
COMPLIANCE ALERT: This fee supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the federal SEVIS database, which manages the international student and exchange visitor programs.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Individuals MUST retain all original immigration documentation required for a visa sticker/stamp application and entry into the U.S.
WHO MUST PAY THE I-901 SEVIS FEE
- Required For:
- ALL F-1 and J-1 students who have a new SEVIS ID Number with a new “Initial” Form I-20 (for F-1 student status) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 student status) “Certificate of Eligibility” immigration document.
- NOT Required For:
- Dependents: F-2 dependents and J-2 dependents of individuals in F-1 and J-1 status.
- Transfers to MIT: Individuals already in F-1 or J-1 student status at another U.S. institution who will transfer their SEVIS record to MIT under the same immigration status and SEVIS ID Number.
HOW TO PAY THE SEVIS FEE
Individuals can view the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions webpage and a step-by-step video tutorial on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Study in the States website. The tutorial explains how to:
- Complete the I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.
- Check the I-901 payment status.
- Obtain and print the official I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Individuals who defer their admission to MIT MUST notify their ISO Advisor immediately to ensure their immigration records and admission information are updated accurately.
CRITICAL WARNING: If an individual defers their admissions to MIT, the I-901 Fee expires 12 months after the original fee payment was approved.
Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is only for MIT-sponsored students.
For additional questions, students should first review the ISO Getting Started web pages thoroughly. They are encouraged to use the ISO search tool (located at the top of the ISO website) or consult the comprehensive FAQ section in the ISO Knowledge Base. MIT students may also contact their designated ISO Advisor directly for assistance.
