What is SEVIS?
SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a nationwide, Internet-based system that the U.S. government uses to maintain accurate and current information on non-immigrant exchange visitors (J visa).
You are first entered into SEVIS when your initial DS-2019 is created. When your initial DS-2019 is printed out, it comes with a barcode and a unique SEVIS ID number. This SEVIS ID should stay with you for as long as you training continuously in the U.S.
When you enter the U.S., your arrival is recorded in SEVIS at your port of entry. After you begin your studies in the U.S., SEVIS maintains personal information about you and your academic status. In other words, SEVIS tracks whether you are maintaining J-1 status. It is required by law to enter the following information about each J-1 intern/trainee:
Your local address
When you first arrive to U.S., you must report your local address. If you move at any time, you must notify J1 Training Inc.
Completion of program
If you complete your training program or you return home AND you don’t plan to return to the U.S. within 6 months, then your SEVIS record will indicate that you have completed the program.
Termination
Your SEVIS record may be terminated for various reasons, for example, if you engage to another job at a third party location; if you stop your training at the arranged host company or had problem with the legal system.
You are first entered into SEVIS when your initial DS-2019 is created. When your initial DS-2019 is printed out, it comes with a barcode and a unique SEVIS ID number. This SEVIS ID should stay with you for as long as you training continuously in the U.S.
When you enter the U.S., your arrival is recorded in SEVIS at your port of entry. After you begin your studies in the U.S., SEVIS maintains personal information about you and your academic status. In other words, SEVIS tracks whether you are maintaining J-1 status. It is required by law to enter the following information about each J-1 intern/trainee:
Your local address
When you first arrive to U.S., you must report your local address. If you move at any time, you must notify J1 Training Inc.
Completion of program
If you complete your training program or you return home AND you don’t plan to return to the U.S. within 6 months, then your SEVIS record will indicate that you have completed the program.
Termination
Your SEVIS record may be terminated for various reasons, for example, if you engage to another job at a third party location; if you stop your training at the arranged host company or had problem with the legal system.
What is the purpose of the SEVIS I-901 fee?
The SEVIS I-901 fee is mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States. Each exchange visitor issued an initial DS-2019 on or after October 27, 2008, is responsible for paying this fee to SEVP