Non-Immigrant Visas
Special Rules for Student Visas
All applicants seeking student visas (F, J and M) must, in addition to Forms DS-156 and DS-157, also complete and submit Form DS-158, and provide either Form I-20 (for F and M visas) or form DS-2019 (for J visas).
All new students with a Form I-20 issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a one-time SEVIS fee. Returning students and students transferring from one school to another do not need to pay the SEVIS fee. Effective October 27th, 2008, the SEVIS fee will increase from $100 to $200 for F and M visa applicants and from $100 to $180 for J visa applicants for long-term exchange program.
Family members (F2/J2) are not required to pay the $100.00 SEVIS fee. Please refer to the SEVIS web site for details. We are no longer placing the I-20/DS-2019 forms in sealed envelopes. Please do not forget to have your I-20 or DS-2019 form with you while traveling to the U.S. As the form must be given to the United States Customs Border Patrol Officer at the port of entry, do not/not place it in your checked baggage.