What is the I-901 SEVIS fee?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charges a one-time I-901 SEVIS fee for students beginning a new F-1 or J-1 program. This fee is separate from the visa application fee.  SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Do my dependents need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee?

No, F-2 and J-2 dependents do not need to pay a separate I-901 SEVIS fee.

When do I pay the I-901 SEVIS fee?

At least three business days prior to:

Your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, or Before entering a U.S. port of entry if you are exempt from obtaining an F-1 or J-1 visa. How do I pay the I-901 SEVIS fee?

You can find instructions, including a video tutorial, on how to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Pay Your SEVIS Fee page.

You can pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee at https://www.fmjfee.com.

Can I transfer the I-901 SEVIS fee if I have already paid it previously?

The I-901 SEVIS fee is transferable in some circumstances. It is attached to your name, not to your SEVIS number. Save your receipt of payment with all your important immigration documents.

If you paid the I-901 SEVIS fee using another institution’s Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 and you have decided to attend Georgetown Law instead, save both the fee receipt and the unused Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for which the original I-901 SEVIS fee was paid and bring them to your U.S. embassy or consulate visa interview.

You can transfer your fee from one institution to another online or request a refund of the fee by contacting fmjfee.SEVIS@ice.dhs.gov or calling I-901 Customer Support at (703) 603-3400.

In order to come to the United States as a student, you will need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Overview of the F-1 Visa Process Overview of the J-1 Visa Process Find Your U.S. Embassy or Consulate

A visa is a U.S. entry document.  It needs to be valid when you enter or re-enter the United States.  An F-1 or J-1 visa does not determine how long you may stay in the United States.  If your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 is valid into the future, you may stay in the United States with an expired visa if you are otherwise maintaining F-1 or J-1 status.

If you are an F-1 student that applies and is approved for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training after graduation, you are allowed to stay in the United States past the program end date on your Form I-20, as long as you continue to maintain F-1 status.

When Can I Arrive?

You can arrive in the United States no more than 30 days before your program start date. Your program start date is listed on the first page of your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

What Documents Do I Need to Bring?

When arriving in the United States, you must present the following items at the U.S. port of entry:

Passport Valid at least 6 months into the future. Valid F-1 or J-1 visa Exempt if a Canadian citizen Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt Copy of Admissions Letter or Admissions Email Financial Support Documents

Be sure to pack the items in your carry-on luggage, and not in a checked bag.

Travel Outside the United States after Arrival in F-1 or J-1 Status

While students are permitted to enter the United States up to 30 days prior to their program start date, we discourage F-1 and J-1 students from making immediate international travel plans after having entered the United States. International travel requires prior verification with the U.S. government. Since immigration records will only be updated and registered AFTER the add/drop period, students should wait to leave the United States until our office has completed the registration process with the U.S. government.

SEVIS registration will be complete 30 days after the program start date listed on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

After initial entry into the United States in F-1 or J-1 status, report to the Office of Graduate & International Programs to complete immigration check-in. To activate your F-1 or J-1 immigration record, you must accomplish three steps after arriving at Georgetown Law:

Upload immigration check-in documents into the International Student Portal Update your U.S. local address and phone number in MyAccess Attend an Immigration and Compliance Session

All new F-1 and J-1 students, including SEVIS transfer students, must complete the three steps above within 30 days of their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 program start date.

Upload Immigration Check-In Documents

Please upload the following immigration check-in documents into the After U.S. Arrival: Immigration Document Review section of your International Student Portal account:

Most Recent I-94 Entry Record Copy of F-1 or J-1 visa (if applicable) Copy of Signed Form DS-2019 (J-1 Students ONLY) Dependent Documents (if any) Most Recent I-94 Entry Record Copy of F-2 or J-2 visa (if applicable) Copy of Signed Form DS-2019 (J-2 Dependents ONLY)

NOTE: The International Student Orientation Post-Arrival Quiz requirement DOES NOT apply to Law Center students. This is a requirement for students studying in an academic program at Georgetown University Main Campus and the School of Continuing Studies.

If you are having trouble retrieving I-94 entry records, please email lawcentervisa@georgetown.edu for troubleshooting and assistance.

Update Your U.S. Local Address and Phone Number

Below are instructions on how to update your U.S. local address and phone number in MyAccess:

Log in to MyAccess with your NetID and password. Click the “Personal Information” tab. Select “View/Access Addresses and Phone Numbers” Select “Update Addresses and Phones” Select “Local Off-Campus and click “insert” Input your local address and phone number and save. The end date (until this date) field can be left blank.

If you are having issues updating your U.S. local address and phone number in MyAccess, please email lawcentervisa@georgetown.edu.

Attend an Immigration and Compliance Session

It is a requirement for all new F-1 and J-1 students to attend an Immigration and Compliance Session, even if you have already been in F-1 or J-1 status at another institution. Georgetown has many Georgetown-specific policies, and we want to make sure that you understand Georgetown policies and your responsibilities as an F-1 or J-1 student before your studies begin.

LL.M. Summer Experience Students: an Immigration and Compliance Session will be offered during the first week of Session I: Foundations of American Law. LL.M. Summer Experience students do not need to attend an Immigration and Compliance session during Orientation Week. All Other Students: Immigration and Compliance Sessions will be offered during Orientation Week.  Please see your Orientation Week schedule for date, time, and location.

After completing initial entry immigration check-in and your F-1 or J-1 immigration record has been activated, please visit the Maintaining F-1 & J-1 Status page for more information to keep active F-1 or J-1 status during your studies at Georgetown Law and after graduation if participating in post-completion training in the United States.