Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

DHS SEVIS Fee (posted July 23, 2004, updated September 10, 2004)

Effective September 1, 2004, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin to charge a non-refundable $100 fee to initial J-1 visa applicants. The fee is also required for applicants changing status to J-1 and applicants seeking J-1 reinstatement. J-2 dependents are exempt from the $100 fee. The US government is collecting this fee to cover its cost of implementing the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database for monitoring students and exchange visitors in the United States.

The SEVIS fee may be paid through the Internet at www.FMJfee.com by completing the electronic version of Form I-901 and submitting a credit card payment. Payment confirmation will be available immediately and should be printed for use as a receipt when applying for J-1 status. Additionally, a receipt will be sent by postal mail to the address indicated on the payment form.

The SEVIS fee must be paid in full before appearing for a visa interview. For those initial applicants who do not need a J-1 visa to enter the US, the fee must be paid in full before arriving at the US port-of-entry. Applicants will be expected to present a SEVIS fee payment receipt for the visa interview at the embassy, or at the US port-of-entry. If, for some reason, the printed or mailed receipt is not available to the applicant before the interview at the embassy or port-of entry, the applicant can appear for the interview as long as the SEVIS payment has been processed by DHS. For information on the SEVIS fee and detailed payment instructions, visit www.FMJfee.com.

Please note the DHS fee ($100) is separate from and in addition to the ECFMG-EVSP administrative fee. The SEVIS fee must be paid directly to DHS.

Please contact the ECFMG-EVSP office with any questions regarding the SEVIS fee.

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