Which Students or Exchange Visitors Must Pay the SEVIS Fee?
• Those who wish to either enter the United States as a student or exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004. • Those who are in the United States and wish to change to a student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) status from another non-immigrant status with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004, e.g., from B-2 to F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor status. • You are seeking an F-1 or F-3 visa from a United States embassy or consulate for first-time attendance in a language training program. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE visa issuance. • You hold a valid F-1 or F-3 visa, have been absent from the United States for a period of more than 5 months (not working on your studies during this time with the prior approval of your school), and will re-enter the United States for a new program of study. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE re-entry to the United States. • As a resident of a contiguous territo
