An international student planning to study in the US is facing a major setback that threatens their F-1 visa status. The student shared on Reddit that their visa application process has turned into a confusing and stressful ordeal.
Visa Rejected After SEVIS Fee Payment
Two months ago, the student applied to a community college in California and received an I-20 form, the key document for visa approval. They paid the SEVIS fee and attended their interview, but their visa was unexpectedly refused despite meeting all formal requirements.
SEVIS ID Marked Invalid
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) tracks all international students in the US. Each student’s record is linked to a unique SEVIS ID on the I-20 form. When the student later applied to another university and received a new I-20, their SEVIS ID was rejected as “invalid.”
DSO Unable to Help
The student contacted the Designated School Official (DSO) at their new institution, hoping for a resolution. However, the DSO said she had no control over SEVIS issues and advised the student to email the SEVIS helpdesk directly. The student has already done so but has not received any response yet.
System Demands a Second Payment
Meanwhile, the SEVIS system is asking the student to pay the fee again for the new SEVIS ID. The student said this is not financially possible, especially after already paying the initial amount for a record that was invalidated through no fault of their own.
Risk to F-1 Visa and Student Status
This issue has placed the student’s F-1 visa at risk. Without an active SEVIS record, the visa cannot be validated or processed. The student fears their admission could be delayed or cancelled entirely if the issue isn’t resolved soon.
Growing Concerns Over Administrative Delays
Many international students are facing similar challenges in the US due to heightened checks and slow administrative responses. For many, even small technical errors in SEVIS now carry serious consequences for their academic and immigration status.
