06/30/2009

Dear Subscribers:

The Department of State’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has issued a notice regarding payment of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee for exchange visitors (and students):

SEVIS NOTICE – June 8, 2009

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is presently experiencing problems with credit card payments from a number of countries. Due to this recurring situation, SEVP will no longer accept credit card payments from the countries involved. The SEVP is currently exploring possible solutions to this problem and it has not yet been determined when credit card payments will be accepted for students or exchange visitors related to these countries. If you attempt to make a payment on behalf of a student or exchange visitor from one of the affected countries you will receive a message indicating that credit card payments are not being accepted at this time.  However, payments can still be made via certified check, money order, or western union transfer. An official broadcast notification will be made when the credit card payment service is fully reinstated.

The SEVP extends its gratitude for your cooperation, and apologizes for any inconvenience you may encounter as a result of this situation.

Thank you.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program

Please remain aware of the ban on credit card payments for the SEVIS fee imposed on prospective exchange visitors from specific countries as plans for sponsorship are developed and implemented. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), if a sponsor attempts to make a credit card payment on behalf of an exchange visitor from one of the applicable countries, she or he will receive the following message when the payment is attempted: "The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is not accepting credit card payments at this time. Please remit your payment by cashier's check, money order or Western Union transfer. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation. If you wish to continue submitting a new payment please click here." If a credit card payment for an exchange visitor is not accepted, the sponsor should contact the I-901 Helpline at 314-418-8833.

For Western Union Quick Pay, the exchange visitor is required to print the appropriate instructions from the Web site Payment by Western Union Quick Pay and to utilize the current Form DS-2019.  The I-901 Helpline advises that SEVP is not notified instantly about payments through Western Union, so the exchange visitor should wait a few days after the payment is made before scheduling a visa appointment or traveling to the United States.

The following websites provide additional information about how to pay the SEVIS fee by use of alternative methods:  www.fmjfee.com and www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/ .

Faculty and Scholar Services
International Center