DHS Adjusting Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Fees

DHS issued a final rule which will increase fees for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effective 06/24/2019. It adjusts fees for school certification petitions and applications for nonimmigrants seeking to obtain F visas (academic student visas), M visas (vocational student visas), or J visas (exchange visitor visas). The new rule sets these fees:

• $3000 for a school certification petition
• $655 per school site visit
• $1250 to submit a school re-certification petition
• $675 to submit an appeal or motion following denial or withdrawal of a school petition
• $350 to file Form I-901 for F and M visas
• $220 to file Form I-901 for J visas

Why is DHS increasing fees?

SEVP calculated its operating costs and determined that it will no longer be able to generate revenue at the current costs. This program is entirely funded by applicant fees, so to continue to operate it will need to increase the costs of these fees. Between 2009 and 2015, there was surplus revenue within SEVP which made it possible to keep fees lower. The new fee adjustments will enable SEVP to cover all of its expenditures, to make some necessary service upgrades, and to enhance its ability to implement its programs. The revenue generated from the increased fees will also go toward hiring more adjudicators, which will increase timeliness and effectiveness. The program expects to have a cumulative annual increase in fees of $75.2 million in fiscal year 2019.

For More Information:

Read more about this new rule in the federal register here. In the federal register, you can find public comments, a cost-benefit analysis, the legal basis for this rule, and more.

This blog post does not serve as legal advice and does not establish any client-attorney privilege. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our legal team directly.

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This information comes from a news release from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA Doc. No. 19052300).