How to track your SEVIS status and maintain F-1 visa compliance in the US

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to track and monitor international students, exchange visitors, and their dependents throughout their time in the United States. The system maintains biometric and biographical information for all F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa holders, including passport details, addresses, contact information, and academic performance data. Your school's Designated School Official (DSO) enters your information when you are admitted and accepted, and DHS updates your record within 21 days of any status changes such as program extensions, school transfers, or employment authorization.

How to track your SEVIS status

You must not access SEVIS directly through a public portal. Instead, your status is managed by your school's International Student Office through your Designated School Official (DSO). Your DSO has full access to your SEVIS record and confirms whether your status is "Active," "Completed," or "Terminated."

Contact your DSO if you need to verify your current status. Many universities also display SEVIS-related alerts in their internal student portals under the International Student section. If you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, you will receive a portal access link by email on your first day of approved work and use that portal to check OPT-related information.

The I-901 SEVIS Fee

Before you attend your visa interview, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. All F-1 and M-1 students pay $350 USD. J-1 exchange visitors pay $220 USD. A visa will not be issued without proof of payment.

Pay the fee online at FMJfee.com using information from your Form I-20. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, email, country of birth, country of citizenship, and the school code listed on your I-20. After payment, you receive a receipt that you must bring to your visa interview.

Pay the fee at least three business days before your interview to ensure the payment processes and matches your SEVIS record. Citizens of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check from a U.S. bank. All other applicants use credit card or debit card payments on FMJfee.com.

Required documents for SEVIS and visa application

You need six core documents for your F-1 visa interview. Missing any one means your interview will be rescheduled.

Additional documents strengthen your application:

• Bank statements showing sufficient funds to cover all tuition and living expenses for your entire program
• Sponsorship letters if a family member or organization is funding your studies
• Academic transcripts, diplomas, and degrees from all schools you attended
• English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent)
• Proof of ties to your home country (property deeds, employment letters, family documents)

Financial documentation must show that available funds equal or exceed the total amount listed on your I-20. Dollar figures on the I-20 itself are entered by your DSO as whole-dollar amounts without decimals, per SEVIS data-entry rules.

Form I-20 requirements

Your DSO must issue a Form I-20 before you pay the SEVIS fee. The form contains your legal name, date of birth, program start date, expected graduation date, and the total cost of your program.

The program start date includes any required orientation sessions before classes begin. Class start dates must not be more than 30 days after the program start date. You must not apply for a visa or enter the United States without an I-20 issued by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school.

Your DSO updates your I-20 if you change programs, extend your studies, or transfer to another school. SEVIS must reflect all changes within 21 days.

Common reasons for F-1 visa refusal

Global F-1 visa refusals reached 35 percent in fiscal year 2025, according to Inside Higher Ed, with India's refusal rate rising from 36 percent in 2023 to 61 percent in 2025. Understanding why applications are denied helps you strengthen yours.

Insufficient proof of non-immigrant intent is the most common refusal reason under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Consular officers need evidence that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies. Provide documents showing family ties, property ownership, employment prospects, or business interests in your home country.

Inadequate or unconvincing financial proof triggers many denials. Your funding source must be realistic, verifiable, and available now, not dependent on future U.S. employment. If a family member is sponsoring you, the officer will often ask how they earned the funds and whether those funds are available for your use. Bank statements showing sudden large deposits shortly before applying raise concerns about borrowed money.

Mismatch between your academic background and chosen program results in denials. If you studied business in your home country and suddenly apply for a physics doctorate, a consular officer will question your genuine interest. Review the program syllabus, explain how it connects to your career goals, and be prepared to discuss specific courses that interest you.

SEVIS compliance violations now result in visa revocation and SEVIS termination without prior notice. Since spring 2025, DHS and the State Department have terminated SEVIS records for thousands of international students. Cited reasons have ranged from minor traffic citations and dismissed criminal charges to social media activity deemed inconsistent with student status. Maintain a clean record and avoid any activity likely to be viewed as off-campus work or violation of visa restrictions.

Financial proof requirements

Your bank statements should clearly show the account holder's name, account balance, and transaction history for at least three to six months. If your sponsor is not a family member, include a letter explaining the sponsorship and the sponsor's relationship to you.

Blocked accounts or certificate of deposit accounts demonstrate committed funds and are viewed favorably. Some countries require proof that funds have been held for a minimum period before transfer is allowed. If your country uses such accounts, provide documentation showing when the funds were locked and when they will be released.

Scholarship award letters must include the scholarship amount, the program covered, and the funding source. If you have a scholarship, it still counts as your financial proof. You must show funds to cover any costs not included in the scholarship.

Proof of funds must cover your entire program duration, including tuition, accommodation, food, health insurance, and miscellaneous expenses. The I-20 specifies the total estimated cost, and your proof of funds must meet or exceed this amount.

Maintaining SEVIS compliance during your studies

Once your SEVIS record is active, maintain it by following these rules:

• Report any address change to your DSO within 10 days
• Work only in jobs approved by your DSO
• Maintain full-time student status unless granted authorization to work part-time
• Report any change to your program, such as adding or dropping courses
• Avoid any employment that violates F-1 restrictions

Your DSO must update your SEVIS record within 21 days of any status change. If your SEVIS is terminated, your F-1 status ends immediately, your dependents lose status automatically, and you must leave the United States.

Dependent status and SEVIS

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for F-2 dependent visas. Dependents do not have work authorization. Each dependent must have their own SEVIS record linked to yours, and their status is automatically terminated if your record is terminated.

Under the Alien Registration Requirement clarified by USCIS in 2025, dependent children who were registered before age 14 must apply for re-registration and fingerprinting within 30 days of their 14th birthday. See the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page for details.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) and SEVIS

If you wish to work in the U.S. after graduation, apply for Optional Practical Training through your DSO. Your DSO files the authorization in SEVIS, and once approved, you receive access to the SEVP Portal where you report employment information, address changes, and employer updates.

STEM degree holders are eligible to extend OPT for up to 24 months beyond the standard 12-month period. Every six months during any OPT extension, you must meet with your DSO to validate that your SEVIS record accurately reflects your current employment and training situation. The SEVP Portal sends email reminders 30 days before each validation deadline. Related: F-1 student work authorization with EAD.

Getting help with SEVIS

Your school's International Student Office is your primary resource. DSOs provide guidance on SEVIS updates, Form I-20 reissuance, and status verification at no cost.

DHS operates the Study in the States portal , which offers free resources on SEVIS requirements, frequently asked questions, and step-by-step guidance for students and schools.

Sources

• Student and Exchange Visitor Information System | ICE
• Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee | Study in the States
• Student Visa | U.S. Department of State
• Students and the Form I-20 | Study in the States
• I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions | ICE
• F-1 Visa Denied: Prepare for F-1 Visa Interview Questions After Rejection | Shorelight
• F-1 Student Visa Refusals Surged in 2025 | Inside Higher Ed
• Understanding the Denial Rate Student Visa 2025 | Law Firm 4 Immigrants
• F-1 SEVIS Terminations & Visa Revocations | Modern Law Group
• Financial Information | Study in the States
• F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension | Study in the States
• SEVIS and the SEVP Portal | Study in the States
• Managing Dependents Overview | Study in the States