SEVIS I-901 Fee: What You Need to Know

SEVIS I-901 Fee: What You Need to Know

Paying the SEVIS I-901 fee before your visa interview is not mandatory. You can pay the fee after your F-1 visa is approved. That said, paying it early signals that you’re serious about your education and committed to the school you’ve chosen.

Once your F-1 visa is approved and you travel to the United States, paying the I-901 fee becomes mandatory before your program start date. If the fee is not paid, your DSO cannot register your SEVIS record.

No registration = no active status.

If the I-901 fee remains unpaid, your SEVIS record will automatically cancel, and you will be considered out of status even if you are physically in the U.S.

Where to pay your I-901 fee:

👉 fmjfee.com

This step is non-negotiable. Handle it on time and protect your status.

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Emergency Leave of Absence

International students may face unexpected emergencies that require them to leave the U.S. on short notice. In such cases, it’s important to follow the proper procedures by notifying their Designated School Official (DSO) and getting approval for a temporary leave. Following the correct protocol helps protect their immigration status and ensures they can return to the U.S. without issues when ready to resume their studies.

Emergency Leave of Absence (F-1 Students Leaving the U.S.)

Before leaving the U.S. for an emergency or personal reason, F-1 students must speak with their Designated School Official (DSO) to request a leave of absence. If approved, your SEVIS record will be terminated for authorized early withdrawal, and you will have 15 days to leave the U.S.
If you leave without notifying your DSO, your SEVIS record will be terminated for unauthorized withdrawal, and you won’t get the 15-day grace period. This can affect your ability to return to the U.S.
Returning to the U.S.

You must return:
Within 5 months of your SEVIS termination date
At the start of a new semester or term

Contact your DSO before returning so they can reactivate your SEVIS record. Do this at least one month before your planned return.

Be Aware When Re-Entering the U.S. on a New SEVIS Record

F-1 Students: Be Aware When Re-Entering the U.S. on a New SEVIS Record.
If you’re an F-1 student with a new SEVIS record after your previous record was completed or terminated and you’re using a valid F-1 visa to depart and re-enter the U.S., there is a critical detail you must not overlook.

At the port of entry, ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) adds your entry to the correct, initial/active SEVIS record. You have the right to ask the officer to verify this. In fact, it is in your best interest to do so.

Why?

In some cases, CBP has mistakenly logged the re-entry under the old, completed or terminated SEVIS record. When this happens, the student is technically not in status, even if their I-20 and visa appear valid.

Your entry must be attached to your new, Initial I-20 the one issued with the new SEVIS ID. This is what restores and confirms your legal F-1 status.
If you suspect this happened to you (or someone you know), visit your nearest Port of Entry office (Deferred Inspection Site) as soon as possible and request that the error be corrected.

Yes, it can and should be fixed. Status matters. Don’t assume everything was handled correctly ask questions, confirm, and protect your legal standing.

Global Resource Firm