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 * IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
   
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   STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM
   
   SEVP is a part of the National Security Investigations Division and acts as a
   bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on
   nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be
   students.
   
   Learn More
   About SEVP


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BREADCRUMB

 1. ICE
 2. Student and Exchange Visitor Program

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STUDENT PROCESS STEPS: HOW TO NAVIGATE THE U.S. IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Congratulations on your decision to study in the United States. Nonimmigrant
students who come to the United States to study must follow specific rules.
However, different rules apply depending on your student type and education
level. Learn what student type and education level applies to you below:

Student Type:

 * F-1: Nonimmigrant students enrolling in academic programs at a university,
   college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory or
   another academic institution, including an English language program.
 * M-1: Nonimmigrant students enrolling in a technical program at vocational or
   other recognized nonacademic institution, other than a language training
   program.

Education Level:

 * Kindergarten to Grade 12: In the United States, students usually begin a
   formal educational program around age five or six in kindergarten. Children
   then complete primary and secondary school which spans from first grade
   through grade 12.
 * Postsecondary: In the United States, students usually enroll in postsecondary
   schooling as adults (over the age of 18) and this category includes technical
   and community colleges, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.
 * English language training: In the United States, non-native English speaking
   students enroll in intensive training programs that have the sole purpose of
   increasing fluency in the language. Students of all ages can enroll in
   English language training programs.






STEPS 1-3: PRE-ARRIVAL


1. HOW DO I START?

Your first step is to apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program
(SEVP)-certified school in the United States. Use the School Search tool to find
SEVP-certified schools and programs that are eligible to enroll F-1 and M-1
students. For more information about the types of programs that are available to
you, please visit EducationUSA.

If you are a student currently enrolled in the equivalent of a kindergarten
through grade 12 program, visit the Kindergarten to Grade 12 page on Study in
the States.

The Form I-20

Once you are accepted into an SEVP-certified school, your school’s designated
school official will send you a document called the Form I-20, “Certificate of
Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” The Form I-20 is a paper record of
your information in our Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
database. Each school that accepts you will mail you a Form I-20.

For more information, visit the Students and the Form I-20 page.


2. HOW DO I PAY MY I-901 SEVIS FEE?

After receiving your Form I-20, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.

Federal regulations require all F, M and J students pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
before applying for their U.S. student visa. You can pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee
online at FMJfee.com or by using Western Union Quick Pay. You must present the
receipt as proof of payment when you apply for visa. It’s important that the
SEVIS ID number on your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt matches your SEVIS ID number on
your Form I-20. If it does not, or you encounter other issues paying your fee,
please contact SEVP.

I-901 SEVIS Fee Assistance:

 * Email address: fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov
 * I-901 SEVIS Fee customer service hotline at 703-603-3400

Learn more about the I-901 SEVIS Fee:

 * I-901 SEVIS Fee pages on ICE.gov and Study in the States.
 * I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Tutorial.
 * I-901 SEVIS Fee FAQs on ICE.gov.


3. HOW DO I GET A VISA TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES?

After paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee and getting a receipt, you must apply for a
visa at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate before you come to the United States.

To receive a visa, you will have to participate in an in-person interview.
During your visa interview, you will need to establish that you meet the
requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are
applying. The consular officer will determine if you qualify to receive a visa
and which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel.

A visa does not guarantee entrance to the United States; it only permits you to
arrive and seek permission to enter the country. The U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry has the final authority to
admit entry into the country.

The following pages will assist with this process:

 * U.S. Department of State Visas (for F or M visas)
 * Exchange Visitors (J visa)




STEPS 4-6: ARRIVING


4. HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES?

Before you leave for the United States, familiarize yourself with the different
documents you will need or could need when you arrive. It is also a good idea to
make at least two sets of copies of these documents: one copy to leave with your
family before you depart and one copy to give to your school officials. Required
documents include your:

 * Passport;
 * Visa; and
 * Form I-20.

It is also smart to have your acceptance letter, proof of financial ability and
any other supporting documentation with you, in case the Customs and Border
Protection officer asks for them. You should carry your original travel
documents on you at all times while traveling. Do not put them in your checked
baggage. For more information on traveling to the United States, visit the
Getting to the United States page.


5. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I ARRIVE?

When you arrive to the United States you will meet a Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry, who will verify your information
and determine if you may enter the country.

If the officer cannot initially verify your information, or if you do not have
all of the required documentation, you may be directed to an interview area
known as “secondary inspection.” Secondary inspection allows inspectors to
conduct additional research in order to verify information without causing
delays for other arriving passengers.

The inspector will first attempt to verify your status by using SEVIS. In the
event that the CBP officer needs to verify information with your school or
program, we strongly recommend that you have the name and telephone number of
the designated school official (DSO) at your school on hand. If you arrive
during non-business hours (evening, weekends, holidays), you should also have an
emergency or non-business hour phone number available for this official.

Failure to comply with U.S. government entry-exit procedures may result in your
being denied entry to the United States. Under certain circumstances, the CBP
officer may issue a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” which
authorizes temporary admission into the United States. Work with your school
without delay to submit the proper documentation required by the Form I-515A.
Failing to comply with a Form I-515A will result in the termination of your
status. Read SEVP’s Form I-515A Noncompliance Termination procedure to ensure
you understand how to properly respond and maintain your status.

If the CBP officer admits you into the country, you will be given a Form I-94,
“Arrival/Departure Record.” This form shows that you have been legally admitted
into the United States, the class of admission and your authorized period of
stay. It is very important that the information on the record is correct.
Inconsistencies between the information on the Form I-94 and SEVIS records can
reduce the chances of a successful systems interface and can result in denial of
benefits or difficulty re-entering the country.


6. WHEN DO I HAVE TO REPORT TO MY SCHOOL?

You have 30 days to enter the country before your official program start date,
as listed on your Form I-20. If you do not report to your school by your program
start date, your DSO may terminate your SEVIS record. We suggest that you
contact your school immediately once you enter the country so that there is no
question of your arrival.

If you cannot enter the United States for the term listed on your Form I-20,
contact your school officials as soon as possible so that they can update your
record so your plans are accurately reflected in SEVIS.




STEPS 7-9: WHILE IN THE UNITED STATES


7. MAINTAINING STATUS

As an F or M student, you will often hear the phrase “maintaining status.”
Maintaining your status means that you are fulfilling the purpose for why the
U.S. Department of State issued you your visa and following the regulations
associated with that purpose. Remember, a student visa is a travel document you
receive from a U.S. consulate or embassy before you enter the United States.
Your student status is what you must maintain after you are granted entrance
into the United States. Learn more about the rules you must follow by talking to
your DSO and reviewing the Maintaining Status page on Study in the States.


8. WHAT ARE STUDENT BENEFITS?

While studying in the United States, you may be eligible to apply for certain
benefits. These student benefits are not granted by SEVP and require students to
apply to other government agencies to receive them. The benefits you are
eligible for will depend on your student status. Visit the following pages to
learn more about potential student benefits:

 * Driving in the United States.
 * Working in the United States.
 * Training Opportunities in the United States.
 * Obtaining a Social Security Number.

As a note, most employment and training opportunities require authorization from
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For more
information, visit the Employment page on ICE.gov.


9. PROBLEMS?

If you are having an immediate problem and need assistance quickly, please speak
with your DSO or responsible officer. If that person cannot help you, contact
the SEVP Response Center at 1-703-603-3400 or at SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.




STEP 10: DEPARTING


10. DEPARTURE

Once you have completed your program and fulfilled your purpose for coming to
the United States, you may have a number of options. These include changing your
status, applying for training, transferring to another SEVP-certified school or
leaving the country.

Please note there are restrictions that apply to M-1 students regarding
transferring and changing status. Talk to your DSO to understand what your
options are.

If after your program is complete you do not qualify to stay in the country, or
chose to depart, please be advised:

 * F-1 students and dependents have 60 days after program end date (or training
   end date) to depart the United States.
 * M-1 students and dependents have 30 days after program end date (or training
   end date) to depart the United States.

You can also visit USCIS to learn about naturalization and the path to U.S.
citizenship.

Fact Sheet

Applying for a driver's license or state identification card

STEM-Designated Degree Program List

Study in the States

Explanation of rules & regulations governing the nonimmigrant student process


Updated: 02/04/2021
Return to top


LOCAL FOOTER NAVIGATION


CONTACT

 * Contact Us
 * sevp@ice.dhs.gov
 * SEVIS Help Hub
 * SEVP Response Center: (703) 603-3400 • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET weekdays, except
   holidays

 


LATEST NEWS

 * News Releases About SEVP


RELATED INFORMATION

 * SEVP Overview
 * Schools
 * SEVIS
 * Conferences & Outreach
 * I-901 SEVIS Fee
 * Operating Instructions
 * What's New


IMPORTANT LINKS

 * Practical Training
 * SEVP-Certified Schools
 * Working While in the U.S.
 * How Do I Become an F or M Student
 * Transfers for F-1 Students
 * Study in the States Site Index
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