What is SEVIS?

SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The system houses current information on nonimmigrant students, exchange visitors, and their dependents (i.e., all those in F or J status). Prospective Adrian College students who do not hold U.S. citizenship must obtain an F-1 visa in order to study on campus. F-1 students are assigned a SEVIS number when their SEVIS record is created. 

The Designated School Officials (DSOs) and Principal Designated School Officials (PDSO) at Adrian College are responsible for updating F-1 student records in SEVIS from the time F-1 students receive their I-20 until they complete their program or OPT. DSOs are required to report:

• Full-time enrollment
• Failure to enroll
• Dropping below a full-time course load with or without prior authorization
• Any other failure to maintain student status or complete program
• A change in legal name or address
• Your graduation (if it occurs prior to the expected program end date)
• Start date of your next session
• Transfers
• Program extensions
• Off-campus employment authorization
• Any other major changes to your program

F-1 students are required to report changes to any of the above information throughout the duration of their course of study.

For F-1 students, the SEVIS fee is $350. 

F-1 students must pay the SEVIS fee if they are: 

• Applying for a visa as a new student at Adrian College with an I-20
• Applying to change their status to F-1 from another nonimmigrant status while in the U.S.
• Filing for reinstatement after being out of status while in the U.S. for more than five months
• Traveling to the United States in F-1 status as a Canadian citizen. F-1 students coming from Canada cannot pay the fee at their port of entry.

F-1 students do not need to pay the SEVIS fee if:

• They are an F-1 student in lawful status transferring between schools in the U.S.
• They are the dependent of an F-1 student and have F-2 status

F-1 students can pay the SEVIS fee online or by mail. Adrian College recommends paying online because it is the fastest method. The fee can be paid by you or a third party, from inside or outside the United States. No matter which method F-1 students choose, the payment must be accompanied by Form I-901.

Remember that paying the SEVIS fee is only the first step of the visa application process, so get it done as soon as possible.