J-1 students have to pay a SEVIS fee once per program. SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The fee funds operation of the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which oversees SEVIS.
SEVIS fee for J-1 students
How much does the SEVIS fee cost?
For J-1 students, the SEVIS fee is $220—unless you are participating in a federally sponsored exchange program.