What Is SEVIS?
Quick Answer
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a web-based database managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that tracks and monitors F, M, and J nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors throughout their stay in the United States. It stores critical information including enrollment status, program details, employment authorization, and address records.
Key Takeaway
Your SEVIS record must remain in active status for you to maintain valid F-1 status—any termination of your SEVIS record means you are out of status and must act immediately to reinstate or depart the U.S.
What SEVIS Does and How It Works
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a centralized, internet-based system administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). SEVIS maintains accurate and current information on nonimmigrant students (F and M visa holders) and exchange visitors (J visa holders) from the time they receive their initial documentation to the time they leave the United States or change to another immigration status.
Every SEVP-certified school in the United States is required to use SEVIS to report information about their international students. DSOs at these schools enter and update student data in SEVIS, including enrollment verification, program changes, employment authorizations (CPT, OPT, STEM OPT), address changes, and completion or termination of programs. This information is shared with the Department of State, CBP, and USCIS to ensure coordinated immigration oversight.
Each student or exchange visitor in SEVIS is assigned a unique SEVIS ID number, which appears on the I-20 (for F and M students) or DS-2019 (for J exchange visitors). This number begins with the letter N followed by 10 digits and is used to identify the individual across all interactions with DHS, including visa applications, port of entry processing, and benefit requests.
Why SEVIS Matters for F-1 Students
For F-1 students, SEVIS is the backbone of their immigration record in the United States. An active SEVIS record is a prerequisite for maintaining valid F-1 status. When a DSO reports that a student has dropped below full-time enrollment without authorization, failed to register for classes, or engaged in unauthorized employment, the SEVIS record can be terminated, immediately placing the student out of status.
SEVIS is also integral to the OPT process. Before a student can file Form I-765 for OPT, the DSO must create an OPT recommendation in SEVIS, which generates an updated I-20. USCIS verifies the OPT recommendation against the SEVIS database when adjudicating the I-765 application. If the SEVIS record does not reflect an active OPT recommendation, USCIS will deny the application.
The system also tracks the 90-day unemployment limit for post-completion OPT and the 150-day limit for STEM OPT. DSOs are responsible for reporting employment information in SEVIS, and exceeding the unemployment limit can result in SEVIS termination and loss of status.
If your SEVIS record is terminated, you generally have two options: apply for reinstatement by filing Form I-539 with USCIS, or depart the United States. Consult your DSO or an immigration attorney immediately.
SEVIS Fee (I-901)
Before attending a visa interview at a U.S. consulate, F-1 and M-1 students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. As of 2026, the fee is $350 for F and M students and $220 for J exchange visitors. The fee is paid online through the I-901 fee payment website (fmjfee.com) and the payment receipt must be presented at the visa interview.
The SEVIS fee funds the operation of the SEVIS system and the SEVP program. It is a one-time fee per SEVIS record, meaning students who transfer between schools do not need to pay again as long as their SEVIS ID remains the same. However, students who obtain a new SEVIS ID (such as those who depart and re-enter a new program) may need to pay the fee again.
Transfer students should confirm with their new school's DSO whether a new SEVIS fee payment is required. In most transfer cases, the existing SEVIS ID carries over and no additional payment is needed.
SEVIS and Travel
SEVIS plays a critical role when international students travel outside the United States. Upon re-entry, CBP officers verify the student's SEVIS record at the port of entry. If the SEVIS record is not in active status or if there are discrepancies between the I-20 and the SEVIS database, the student may be denied entry or placed in secondary inspection for further review.
Before traveling, students should ensure their SEVIS record is active and that their I-20 has a valid travel endorsement signature from the DSO. Students on OPT should carry their EAD card, a valid passport, a valid visa stamp (or be from a visa-exempt country), and a job offer letter or proof of employment when re-entering the U.S.
Students should also update their U.S. address in SEVIS within 10 days of any move, as an outdated address in SEVIS can create complications during re-entry and with USCIS correspondence. DSOs can update the address in SEVIS on behalf of the student, or STEM OPT students can update it directly through the SEVP Portal.