Every F-1 and M-1 student in the U.S. must comply with SEVP and SEVIS to maintain legal status. SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certifies U.S. schools to enrol international students. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) tracks those students in real time. This guide explains how both systems work, what the SEVIS fee costs, and exactly what you need to do to stay compliant.
SEVP certifies schools. SEVIS tracks students. Here is how they connect: your school must be SEVP-certified before it can issue you a I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). That I-20 is generated through SEVIS and is required to pay your SEVIS fee, apply for your F-1 visa, and enter the U.S.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. SEVP and SEVIS requirements, fees, and procedures can change. Always check the official DHS Study in the States website or speak with your DSO for the most current information.
What Is SEVP?
SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) is a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that certifies schools to enrol international students on F-1 (the student visa for academic programs at colleges, universities, and language schools) and M-1 (the student visa for vocational or non-academic programs) visas. Without SEVP certification, a school cannot legally enrol international students on F or M visas.
You can check whether your school is SEVP-certified using the Study in the States school search tool (studyinthestates.dhs.gov), the official DHS resource for international students.
Certification
Schools must be SEVP-certified to legally accept and enrol international students on F and M visas. Certification requires schools to meet and maintain federal compliance standards.
Oversight
SEVP ensures participating schools comply with federal regulations and support students in maintaining their visa status throughout their studies.
Security
By controlling which institutions can enrol international students, SEVP helps protect national security while keeping U.S. universities open to the world.
What Is SEVIS?
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is an online database maintained by DHS that tracks real-time information about international students and exchange visitors while they study in the U.S. Every F-1 and M-1 student has a unique SEVIS record that must stay active for the duration of their studies.
How SEVIS Works
- Your school uses SEVIS to record your enrollment status, program dates, contact information, and other essential data.
- Your school issues your I-20 through SEVIS. This document is required to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for your F-1 visa, and enter the U.S.
- DHS and USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) use SEVIS to monitor compliance with visa requirements.
- Your DSO (Designated School Official) — the staff member at your university who manages your SEVIS record — updates your record whenever your situation changes and is your first point of contact for any visa status questions.
What Is I-20?
I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Your SEVP-certified school issues it through SEVIS once you are admitted. You need your I-20 to:
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
- Apply for your F-1 student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate
- Enter the United States at a port of entry
- Apply for a Social Security Number (if eligible)
- Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Warning! Always travel with an updated I-20 that reflects your current program end date. A DSO must sign your I-20 within 6 months before you travel. An expired or unsigned I-20 can result in denial of entry at the U.S. border.
SEVIS I-901 Fee: How Much It Costs and How to Pay
Before applying for your U.S. student visa, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The fee varies by visa type.
Pay the fee at fmjfee.com, the official U.S. government SEVIS fee payment portal. Keep your payment receipt — you will need it at your visa interview.
Warning! Pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 business days before your visa interview so the payment can be processed and verified. Same-day payment may not show up in the system in time.
Your SEVIS Responsibilities as an International Student
To maintain your F-1 or M-1 visa status, you must complete five key SEVIS responsibilities before and during your studies. Failure to comply can jeopardize your visa status, your ability to work, and your right to re-enter the U.S.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for your visa. Keep the receipt for your visa interview and immigration records.
- Maintain full-time enrollment in your program. Dropping below full-time without your DSO's authorization can put your SEVIS record at risk.
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Report changes promptly to your school's international office within the required timeframe:
- Change of residential address: within 10 days
- Change of major or program
- Withdrawal or reduction in course load
- Keep your I-20 updated. Always travel with a current, DSO-signed I-20 that reflects your active program end date.
- Work with your DSO (Designated School Official) for any questions or changes. Your DSO manages your SEVIS record and is your official point of contact for visa status matters.
SEVIS and Work Authorization: OPT and CPT
Your SEVIS status directly affects your ability to work in the U.S. F-1 students can apply for two types of work authorization, both of which require an active SEVIS record.
OPT allows F-1 students to work in a job related to their field of study. You can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, which can be used before graduation (pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (post-completion OPT). STEM graduates may apply for a 24-month OPT extension, giving up to 36 months total. Your DSO must recommend OPT in your SEVIS record before USCIS can approve it
CPT allows F-1 students to work in a role that is an integral part of their academic program — for example, a required internship or co-op. CPT is authorized by your DSO directly in SEVIS and must be approved before you start work. Unlike OPT, CPT does not require USCIS approval. Using 12 or more months of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for post-completion OPT, so plan carefully with your DSO.
Note: If your SEVIS record is terminated for any reason, your OPT or CPT authorization is also immediately affected. Contact your DSO before your status changes — do not wait until after a termination occurs.
Find SEVP-Certified Programs in the U.S.
Browse thousands of SEVP-certified programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Apply through ApplyBoard and get support with your program applications.
SEVP and SEVIS: Quick Summary
- SEVP certifies and monitors U.S. schools authorized to enrol international students on F and M visas.
- SEVIS is the DHS database that tracks your student record and generates your I-20.
- You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350 for F-1, $220 for M-1) at fmjfee.com before your visa interview.
- Maintaining full-time enrollment, reporting changes promptly, and working with your DSO keeps your SEVIS record active.
- An active SEVIS record is required for OPT, CPT, and re-entry to the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) is the U.S. government program that certifies schools to enrol international students on F-1 and M-1 visas. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the database that tracks those students in real time. Every F-1 and M-1 student has a SEVIS record, and every school they attend must be SEVP-certified.
The SEVIS I-901 fee is $350 USD for F-1 students and $220 USD for M-1 and J-1 students. Pay at fmjfee.com before your visa interview and keep your payment receipt. Pay at least 3 business days before your interview to allow time for processing.
I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Your SEVP-certified school issues it through SEVIS after you are admitted. You need your I-20 to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for your F-1 visa, enter the U.S., and apply for OPT or CPT work authorization. Always carry an updated, DSO-signed I-20 when you travel.
A DSO (Designated School Official) is the staff member at your SEVP-certified university or college who manages your SEVIS record. Your DSO issues your I-20, updates your record when your situation changes, authorizes CPT and OPT, and is your first point of contact for any visa status questions. Contact your DSO immediately if your enrollment status, address, or program details change.
If your SEVIS record is terminated, you lose your legal student status in the U.S. You cannot continue to study, work on OPT or CPT, or re-enter the U.S. on your current visa. Contact your DSO immediately — they can assess whether reinstatement is possible and guide you through the process. Do not leave the U.S. without speaking to your DSO first, as departure may affect your ability to apply for reinstatement.
Yes, with authorization. F-1 students can work on campus without additional approval. Off-campus work requires either CPT (Curricular Practical Training, authorized by your DSO for work that is part of your program) or OPT (Optional Practical Training, approved by USCIS for work related to your field of study). Both require an active SEVIS record. You cannot work off-campus without authorization — doing so puts your visa status at risk.
Use the Study in the States school search tool at studyinthestates.dhs.gov to search any U.S. institution and confirm its SEVP certification status. Only enrol at a school that appears on this list — enrolling at a non-certified school will not give you a valid immigration status.