The SEVIS fee is a fee that international students and exchange visitors must pay, as mandated by Congress in 2004, to fund the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which is a U.S. government system that manages data and application processes for F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants in the United States. The fee is required for F-1 and J-1 students and must be paid once per program. The SEVIS fee is separate from the visa application fee and must be paid before a visa can be issued by a U.S. consulate and before entering the United States. The fee can be paid online or by mail, and it can be paid by the student or by a third party. The SEVIS fee is $350 for F-1 students and $220 for J-1 students.