Can I Get a Refund for My I-901 SEVIS Fee?

After paying the I-901 SEVIS fee, some students and exchange visitors find their plans change. A common question we receive is, "Can I get my SEVIS fee back?" The short answer is: usually not, but there are exceptions.

The General Rule: SEVIS Fees are Non-Refundable

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that the I-901 SEVIS fee is non-refundable. If your visa is denied, or you decide not to travel to the U.S., you will not get your money back.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are only a few very specific situations where a refund might be considered:

• Duplicate Payments: If you accidentally paid the fee more than once for the same SEVIS ID, you can apply for a refund of the extra payment.
• Payment by Another Party: If you paid the fee, and your U.s. government-sponsored program (with a program code starting with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7) also paid it on your behalf, you may request a refund.

What About SEVIS Fee Transfers?

While refunds are rare, transferring a fee is more common. You can transfer your SEVIS fee payment to a new SEVIS ID under certain conditions:

• If your visa is denied: You can apply your paid fee to a new visa application within 12 months of the initial fee payment. This applies if you are reapplying for the same program or a different one.
• Change of School/Program: If you decide to attend a different school or program before entering the U.S., you can transfer the fee to your new I-20 or DS-2019.

Fee transfers are not automatic. You must contact SEVP to request a fee transfer.