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This message is a special update from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). You are receiving this message because you have subscribed to receive News and Updates from SEVP, which provides useful information for the international student and academic communities.

SEVP Publishes Changes to Fees for International Students, Exchange Visitors and SEVP-certified Schools

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized changes to the fees charged by SEVP to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools. The new fees will take effect at 12 a.m. EDT on June 24, 2019.

SEVP is funded entirely by fees charged to international students and SEVP-certified schools. Although the program’s fees have not changed since 2008, operating costs have increased because of inflation, expanded program operations and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) enhancements.

If the program continues to operate at current fee levels, SEVP anticipates it will experience an average annual shortfall of $68.9 million beginning in June 2019. The final fee rule eliminates this risk and allows SEVP to continue to achieve its priorities—enhancing national security and preventing immigration fraud.

The proposed rule was available for public comment for 60 days. The final rule considered all substantive comments received during the comment period, and SEVP has responded to those comments in the final rule.

Be sure to check the Study in the States blog, Twitter and Facebook channels to receive the latest information and resources on the changes to SEVP’s fees.

Read the Rule

Final Fee Adjustments

DHS finalized adjustments to the:

• SEVP school certification petition fee for initial certification from $1,700 to $3,000.
• I-901 SEVIS Fee for F and M international students from $200 to $350.
• I-901 SEVIS Fee for most J exchange visitors from $180 to $220.

DHS will maintain the $35 I-901 SEVIS Fee for J exchange visitors in the au pair, camp counselor, and summer work or travel program participant categories.

New Fees

DHS will introduce a:

• $1,250 fee for SEVP-certified schools filing a petition for recertification.
• $675 fee when schools file the Form I-290B, “Notice of Appeal or Motion.”

DHS will maintain the $655 fee for a site visit for a petitioning school and its additional schools or campuses during initial certification and will also charge this fee when a SEVP-certified school changes its physical location or adds a new physical location or campus to its Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student.”

Program Priorities and Fee Analysis

The new and adjusted fees included in this final rule will provide additional funding for three SEVP-identified key program priorities: SEVIS enhancements efforts, increased SEVP adjudication personnel and additional oversight of SEVP-certified schools.

SEVP is required to review its fee structure every two years. By tracing the cost of program activities, SEVP forecasted fee payments to determine an appropriate amount for each fee proposed in the rule.

For more information about the fees, read the final fee rule on the Federal Register.

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