U.S.A WILL INCREASE STUDENT VISA FEES

• US immigration officials have confirmed a 75% increase in visa fees for international students
• A more modest increase will also apply to some exchange visitor categories
• The new fees will come into effect on 24 June 2019

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed this month that it is moving forward with significant increases in student visa fees.

All study visa applicants to the US are obliged to pay a fee that is levied by DHS’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) in order to cover the costs of administering the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). As DHS explains, SEVIS is used by the government to maintain information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools, F-1 and M-1 students who come to the United States to attend those schools, US Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors and J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants. 

It is a critical tool in our mission to protect national security while supporting the legal entry of more than one million F, M and J non-immigrants to the United States for education and cultural exchange.

Effective 24 June 2019, DHS confirms that it will increase fees charged to students formally referred to as the 1-901 SEVIS Fee as follows:

• The I-901 SEVIS Fee for F and M international students that is, for students engaged in academic studies will increase from $200 to $350. This represents a 75% increase.
• Those visiting the US on exchange programmes are in a different visa category, and apply for J-class visas. Those exchange visitors in the au pair, camp counselor, and summer work travel programme participant categories will continue to pay the current $35 I-901 SEVIS Fee. However, fees will use for all other J-class exchange visitors, from $180 to $220 (a 22% increase).

SEVP is funded entirely by fees, and does not receive any appropriated funding from Congress, said SEVP Program Director Rachel Canty, in explaining the increase. SEVP’s fees have not changed since 2008, although our costs have continued to grow due to inflation, expanded programme operations and enhancements to [SEVIS]. The new and increased fees will enable the programme to continue to provide oversight of international students and SEVP-certified schools.

In addition to the increased fees for visiting students, DHS has also announced that fees charged to US schools will also be going up this year.

An existing fee for a schools initial SEVP certification will increase from $1,700 to $3,000.

The department will introduce a number of new fees for schools as well:

• A $1,250 fee for SEVP-certified schools filing for recertification.
• A $675 fee when schools file the Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
• DHS will maintain a current $655 fee for an initial school site visit but will now also charge this fee when a SEVP-certified school changes its physical location or adds a new physical location or campus.