J-1 I-901 SEVIS Fee: Who Pays, Current Fees, Reduced Categories, and Exemptions

The **I-901 SEVIS Fee** is separate from the J-1 visa application fee and from any Sponsor or Program Fee. It is paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to support the **Student and Exchange Visitor Information System – SEVIS**, which maintains records for international students and Exchange Visitor Program participants.

Not every J-1 participant pays the same amount. Most fee-paying J-1 categories currently pay **US$220**, while Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Summer Work Travel participants pay a reduced **US$35** fee. Certain federally sponsored exchange programs are exempt altogether.

## What is the I-901 SEVIS Fee?

SEVIS is the government information system used to maintain records for international students and exchange visitors.

After a Designated Sponsor accepts a J-1 participant, the sponsor creates or manages the person's SEVIS record and issues **Form DS-2019**.

The participant's SEVIS ID and Program Number from that document are then used when completing Form I-901 and paying the required fee.

The documents should not be confused:

**DS-2019:** Exchange-program eligibility document.

**I-901:** SEVIS fee payment.

**DS-160:** Online visa application.

## Who must pay the fee?

As a general rule, a **principal J-1 exchange visitor beginning participation in a new designated exchange program must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee**, unless a regulatory exemption applies.

This covers most J-1 categories.

The fee is associated with the principal participant's SEVIS and exchange-program record rather than with the embassy or consulate processing the visa.

## How much is the J-1 SEVIS Fee?

Current amounts are:

| Category | I-901 SEVIS Fee | | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------: | | Most fee-paying J-1 categories | **US$220** | | Au Pair | **US$35** | | Camp Counselor | **US$35** | | Summer Work Travel | **US$35** | | Qualifying federally sponsored G-1/G-2/G-3/G-7 program | **No fee** | | J-2 dependent | **No separate fee** |

The US$220 group includes most other fee-paying J categories, such as Student, Intern, Trainee, Teacher, Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Specialist, Alien Physician, and Government Visitor.

Applicants should confirm the applicable amount using the category and program information on their current DS-2019.

## Who is exempt?

A principal J-1 participant does not pay I-901 when entering a qualifying **federally sponsored Exchange Visitor Program** identified on DS-2019 by a Program Number beginning:

• G-1
• G-2
• G-3
• G-7

Participants should not assume that any program with some government connection is automatically exempt.

The Program Number shown on DS-2019 is critical.

## Does J-2 pay a SEVIS Fee?

**No.**

An eligible J-2 spouse or child can have an individual DS-2019 and a unique SEVIS ID, but the dependent does not pay a separate I-901 SEVIS Fee.

The existence of a SEVIS record is therefore not the same as having a separate fee obligation.

## When should the fee be paid?

The participant first needs the correct DS-2019 because Form I-901 requires information from it.

For a new J-1 visa applicant, the fee must be paid before visa issuance, and current Department of State guidance instructs applicants to complete payment **before the visa interview**.

An interview appointment may be scheduled before payment.

When a J-1 participant does not require a visa under an applicable exemption, the required SEVIS fee must be paid before applying for admission at a U.S. port of entry to begin the program.

## How do you pay the I-901 Fee?

The normal process is:

1. Receive the correct DS-2019.
2. Use the official DHS/SEVP I-901 payment service.
3. Enter personal details exactly as required.
4. Enter the correct SEVIS ID.
5. Enter the applicable J Program Number.
6. Select an available payment method.
7. Complete payment.
8. Save and print the payment confirmation.

Payment may also be made by an authorized Sponsor or another third party on the participant's behalf.

## What is the SEVIS ID?

The SEVIS ID identifies the participant's individual SEVIS record.

It appears on Form DS-2019 and normally begins with:

**N**

The number must be entered accurately when paying I-901.

If the fee is linked to the wrong SEVIS ID, it may not initially match the DS-2019 used for visa processing.

Use the current DS-2019 rather than an old form when entering payment information.

## What is proof of payment?

After successful payment, the system provides an **I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Confirmation**.

DHS also maintains electronic payment records, but participants should retain a copy of the confirmation and have it available for visa processing.

If the Sponsor paid on the participant's behalf, BridgeUSA guidance says the Sponsor should provide a receipt confirming the payment.

## Is the SEVIS Fee refundable?

The fee is **not refunded simply because the J visa is denied or because a participant later decides not to travel**.

SEVP refund procedures are limited to qualifying situations, such as certain duplicate payments or a payment made when the individual was actually exempt.

This is one reason applicants should confirm their final DS-2019, fee obligation, and SEVIS information before making payment.

Visa denial also has a separate rule allowing the existing fee to be reused in qualifying circumstances.

## What happens if the J-1 visa is denied?

Paying the fee once and receiving a visa refusal does not necessarily mean paying it again.

Under the current regulation, a person who:

• Fully paid the fee for a J-1 application;
• Was denied the visa;
• Reapplies for the **same J-1 exchange visitor category**; and
• Reapplies within **12 months of the initial denial notice**

does not have to pay a new I-901 SEVIS Fee.

The original payment evidence should be retained.

This rule concerns the SEVIS Fee. The separate consular visa application fee follows its own rules.

## Do you pay again when changing Sponsors?

**Not merely because of an authorized program transfer.**

Current regulations specifically state that a J-1 participant does not owe a new SEVIS fee in connection with an eligible **transfer of program**.

A correctly processed transfer from one Designated Sponsor to another should therefore not automatically generate a new US$220 payment.

However, exceptions matter.

### Moving from a fee-exempt government program

A J-1 participant who originally entered through a qualifying G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 program and then transfers to a program that is not similarly federally sponsored must pay the applicable fee before completing the transfer.

### Changing J-1 category

A **Change of Category** is different from a Sponsor transfer.

A participant applying for an approved category change must pay the fee associated with the new category when required.

## What if the SEVIS ID changes?

A new SEVIS ID requires careful review, but it does not always mean the previous payment is automatically unusable.

SEVP provides procedures under which a payment can be transferred between SEVIS IDs belonging to the same person in qualifying situations.

Other circumstances represent a genuinely new program for which a new fee is required.

If you receive a new DS-2019 with a different SEVIS ID after already paying, do not immediately make another payment.

First verify whether the existing payment can be transferred or remains applicable.

## What if you paid under the wrong SEVIS ID?

Do not automatically solve the issue by paying a second fee.

Check the I-901 payment record and use the available **Fee Transfer** procedure where eligible, or contact I-901/SEVP support for assistance.

Keep available:

• The SEVIS ID originally used.
• The correct SEVIS ID.
• Payment confirmation.
• Current DS-2019.

SEVP can then determine whether the payment can be associated with the correct record.

## Does a program extension require another fee?

Generally, **no**.

A J-1 exchange visitor is not required to make a new I-901 payment simply because an eligible Program Extension is processed under the J regulations.

This does not mean every J-1 category is extendable. The extension itself must still comply with the rules and maximum duration of the participant's category.

## SEVIS Fee vs. Visa Fee vs. Sponsor Fee

| Fee | Paid to | Purpose | | --------------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | I-901 SEVIS Fee | DHS / SEVP | SEVIS administration and related activities | | Visa Application Fee | U.S. visa-processing system | Consular processing of the J visa application | | Sponsor / Program Fee | Designated Sponsor or program | Exchange-program administration and services |

The current standard J visa application processing fee is:

**US$185**

for non-exempt applicants.

That fee is entirely separate from I-901.

An additional visa issuance or reciprocity fee may also apply depending on nationality.

## Can the Sponsor pay the SEVIS Fee?

Yes.

Federal rules allow an authorized Designated Sponsor or another third party to make the payment on behalf of the exchange visitor.

BridgeUSA also notes that some Sponsors include the I-901 amount within their overall program charges.

When someone else pays for you:

• Obtain the payment confirmation.
• Check your name.
• Confirm the SEVIS ID.
• Verify that the amount matches your J category.

Do not pay the fee twice simply because you were not personally the person who submitted the first payment.

## Common mistakes

### Confusing I-901 with the J visa fee

They are different fees paid for different government processes.

### Assuming every J-1 participant pays US$220

Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Summer Work Travel pay US$35, while qualifying federally sponsored programs are exempt.

### Paying for J-2

J-2 dependents do not owe a separate I-901 fee.

### Using an old SEVIS ID

Verify the number on the DS-2019 that will actually be used.

### Paying again immediately after a visa denial

A second fee may not be required when reapplying in the same J category within 12 months.

### Paying again for every Sponsor transfer

An eligible program transfer does not itself require another fee.

### Losing payment confirmation

Keep electronic and printed copies of the receipt.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much is the SEVIS Fee for J-1?

Most fee-paying J-1 categories currently pay US$220. Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Summer Work Travel pay US$35.

### Does an Au Pair pay US$220?

No. The current Au Pair I-901 fee is US$35.

### Does J-2 pay an I-901 fee?

No. J-2 dependents do not pay a separate SEVIS fee.

### When should I pay?

After receiving the correct DS-2019 and before the visa interview when applying for an initial J visa.

### Is the fee refunded if my visa is denied?

Visa denial does not create an automatic refund. The existing payment can, however, remain valid for a same-category J-1 reapplication made within 12 months under the current rule.

### Do I pay again if I change Sponsors?

Normally not for a properly processed program transfer. Different rules apply to a Change of Category or a transfer from a federally fee-exempt program to a non-exempt program.

### Where is my SEVIS ID?

It appears on Form DS-2019 and normally begins with the letter N.

## Conclusion

The **I-901 SEVIS Fee is separate from both the J visa application fee and Sponsor Program Fees**.

Most fee-paying J-1 participants currently pay US$220. Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Summer Work Travel participants pay a reduced US$35 fee, while qualifying federally sponsored G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-7 programs are exempt.

J-2 dependents do not pay a separate I-901 fee.

Before paying, check the current DS-2019, SEVIS ID, J category, and Program Number. If a visa is denied or a Sponsor or SEVIS record changes, verify whether the existing payment remains valid or can be transferred before paying again.

## Official Sources Used for This Article

**U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement / SEVP – Form I-901, Fee Remittance for Certain F, J and M Nonimmigrants** Used to verify the current US$220 standard J fee and US$35 fees for Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Summer Work Travel.

**8 CFR §214.13 – SEVIS Fee for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants** Used to verify fee applicability, federal-program exemptions, J-2 treatment, payment timing, program transfers, program extensions, category changes, and the 12-month visa-refusal reapplication rule.

**U.S. Department of State – 9 FAM 402.5 – Students and Exchange Visitors** Used to verify that only principal J-1 participants pay the I-901 fee, payment timing before the visa interview, J-2 exemption, and G-1/G-2/G-3/G-7 exemptions.

**U.S. Department of State – BridgeUSA – Eligibility and Fees** Used to verify Sponsor payment on behalf of participants, payment receipts, and the distinction between SEVIS and Sponsor Program Fees.

**U.S. Department of State – Exchange Visitor Visa** Used to verify the current US$185 standard J visa application fee and its distinction from the SEVIS fee.

**ICE / SEVP – I-901 Fee Payment Guidance and FAQs** Used to verify payment confirmation, eligible fee-transfer procedures, incorrect SEVIS ID handling, and limited refund rules.

**Last fact check: September 11, 2026.**