As an international student studying in the U.S. you will be charged fees based on your nonimmigrant status. Review the fees that will apply to you and be sure to check with an OGS advisor if you have any further questions.
SEVIS Fee

What is the SEVIS fee?
The SEVIS fee is a U.S. government fee that supports the operation of the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is the government database designed to allow various U.S. government agencies to see up-to-date information about F and J students, their academic activities, and their accompanying family members.

How much is it? How do I pay?
The SEVIS fee is $200 for F-1 students and $180 for J-1 exchange visitors, effective. There are two ways to pay the fee, either using a credit card at the SEVIS I-901 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement webpage or by mailing an international money order or U.S. bank check. In either case, the fee must be accompanied by government form I-901.

Do all new students pay the SEVIS fee?
If you were issued an I-20 or DS-2019 for "initial attendance" at NYU and are applying for a visa or change of status, you will be required to pay the fee.

I am a Canadian citizen and do not need a visa. Do I pay the fee?
Yes, Canadians are also subject to this fee. You must ensure that the U.S. government has received your fee at least three business days before you apply for admission at a port of entry (land or border crossing).

Are my family members subject to the fee?
No, F-2 and J-2 dependents are not assessed the SEVIS fee, only F-1 and J-1 students.

When do I pay the fee?
You must wait until you have your I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students) before you can pay the fee. You can schedule an appointment for the visa interview without having paid the fee. However, you must pay the fee at least three business days prior to your visa interview, and be able to show proof that you did pay the fee. If you are not traveling outside the U.S. for a new visa, speak to an OGS advisor for payment details.

Do I receive evidence to show I paid the fee?
Yes, there is a receipt which can be printed out at the time of on-line payment, or is sent by mail to the address provided on the form I-901. Not all U.S. Consulates and Embassies have access to the SEVIS database to verify that you paid, so it is vital that you are able to show the receipt at the time of your visa interview.

Can someone else pay the fee for me?
Yes, another person can pay the fee on your behalf. However, it is critical that this person obtains the receipt and mails it to you.

What happens if the consular official cannot confirm my fee payment through the information in the SEVIS database?
As long as you have a printed receipt to verify your payment, you should not be denied a visa based on this ground.

I am not a new student, will I be charged the SEVIS fee?
In general, a continuing student will NOT pay the SEVIS fee, even if you need to apply for new visa.

There are, however, exceptions to this. A student who has previously been enrolled WOULD need to pay the SEVIS fee under the following conditions:

• When outside the U.S. for over five months and not maintaining registration with NYU (this does not apply to students on authorized study abroad)

• When you have violated the terms of your F-1 status and will travel with an "initial attendance" I-20 in order to re-gain F-1 status

• When applying for reinstatement and have been out of the U.S. for more than 5 months

• When applying for a change of non-immigrant status to F-1 or J-1

I am a J-1 student. I was told that I do not have to pay the fee. Is that right?
J-1 students who are in government-sponsored exchange programs, such as the Fulbright program, are not required to pay the SEVIS fee. The organization issuing your DS-2019 can confirm if you have to pay the fee or not. J-1 students with a DS-2019 issued by NYU do have to pay the SEVIS fee, which is $180.