SEVIS Fee Requirement:
Once you are accepted into College of the Desert or the Intensive English Academy, you will need to get the F-1/student visa in order to enter the USA and begin your studies. There is some important information that you should know as you prepare for your F-1 visa interview. Please read this page carefully in order to be prepared for the visa application process.
SEVIS FEE:
All F-1 visa applicants are required to pay a fee of US $200. The SEVIS fee is in addition to the F-1 visa application fee that must be paid at the US Embassy/Consulate. The SEVIS fee is required by the US DHS to fund the Student and Exchange Visitor Program or "SEVIS". The SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE you visit the US Embassy/Consulate for your F-1 visa appointment. IF YOU ARE CANADIAN, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE you reach the US port of entry/border.
You will be required to provide proof of payment to the US Embassy/Consulate during your F-1 visa appointment. The proof of payment is the receipt that you will receive after you pay the fee.
This fee does NOT go to College of the Desert; it goes to the US government. College of the Desert is sending you this notice as a courtesy to help you with the F-1 visa application process.
The SEVIS fee can be paid by one of the two methods below:
The SEVIS fee is US$200. It can be paid for by one of two ways:
1. By credit or debit card: Complete Form I-901 on the Internet with a credit card. Please visit the following website to submit your payment by credit card: www.fmjfee.com. You will need to use a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card. This is the quickest way to pay the fee. You will need to print the receipt directly from your computer and bring it with you to your visa appointment.
College of the Desert recommends that you use the credit card option to ensure timely processing of your SEVIS fee payment.
2. By check or money order sent through the mail. Submit Form I-901 with a check or money order (not cash) drawn on a US bank and payable in US currency. Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank. You may therefore obtain a check from: 1) a bank chartered or operated in the United States; 2) a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. bank, or 3) a foreign bank that has an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.
The check should be made out to "I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee". Ensure your payment envelope has your correct return address and that your SEVIS ID is written on the check or money order. Also, be sure the envelope has both your payment and the completed Form I-901. (NOTE: This process can dramatically delay your application as you must wait for a receipt to be mailed back to you BEFORE you have your F-1 visa appointment). Send payment to:
| I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee |
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee |
| P.O. Box 970020 |
1005 Convention Plaza |
| St. Louis, MO 63197-0020 |
St Louis, MO 63101 |
| United States |
United States |
|
Phone Number: 1-314-418-4393
(United States Country Code 011) |
NOTE: The SEVIS fee is non-refundable even if you are denied the F-1 visa.
For more information regarding the SEVIS fee, please visit the followingweb page: www.fmjfee.com.
PREPARING FOR YOUR F-1 VISA INTERVIEW:
This information is for people who plan to enter the United States for the first time to study. For information on bringing dependents to the U.S., returning to continue studies, or renewing your visa, or for more details on how to apply for a student visa, refer to the US Department of State website, at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_students2.html.
STEPS:
1. Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ask about how to get an F-1 international student visa. A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/.
2. After you receive an I-20 form from the school that you want to attend, follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for your F-1 student visa. It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments be made no more than 90 days from the intended date of travel, but some can make earlier arrangements for interviews.
3. Complete the following forms:
(a) DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
(b) DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant
(c) if a male between the ages of 16 and 45, DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
4. Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. embassy or consulate’s web site.1
5. Pay the required SEVIS fee of $200.00. See above to find instructions on the two ways that you can pay the SEVIS fee. You must bring the receipt of SEVIS fee payment with you to the interview. If you have lost the receipt, the Visa Officer should be able to view your payment history in his or her database.
6. Prepare and bring to your visa interview the following:
(a) A passport valid for at least six months
(b) Form I-20 (sign the form under Item 11)
(c) School admission letter
(d) Completed visa applications (DS-156, DS-158, and, if applicable, DS-157)
(e) Two 2”x 2” photographs in the prescribed format (see the travel.state.gov website)
(f) A receipt for the visa application fee
(g) A receipt for the SEVIS fee. If you have not received an official receipt in the mail showing payment and you paid
the fee electronically, the consulate will accept the temporary receipt you printed from your computer. If you do not
have a receipt, the consulate may be able to see your payment electronically if your fee payment was processed at
least 3 business days before your interview.
(h) Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period
you intend to study.
(i) Any information that proves that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies in the U.S. This
may include proof of property, family, or other ties to your community.
7. Remain calm and answer all the Visa Officer’s questions to you openly and honestly.
If you have any questions or problems regarding the visa interview, please contact the International Student Office at College of the Desert at cdelgado@collegeofthedesert.edu.
Printed from NAFSA: Association of International Educators website
