This information collection is necessary to implement section 641 of IIRIRA, 8 U.S.C. §1372, which directs DHS to collect information relating to academic nonimmigrant students (F-1), vocational nonimmigrant students (M-1), and exchange visitors (J-1), as well as their dependents (F-2, M-2 or J-2) , and provides for the collection of the required fee to defray the costs of this program. Section 641 of IIRIRA requires DHS to collect current information, on an ongoing basis, from schools and exchange visitor program sponsors relating to F, J and M nonimmigrants during the course of their stay in the United States, using electronic reporting technology to the fullest extent practicable. SEVP, an office of the DHS agency U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, implemented SEVIS to carryout out this statutory requirement. SEVP uses the Form I-901, Fee Remittance for Certain F, J and M Nonimmigrants, to provide a receipt to the F, J or M nonimmigrant upon payment and to positively identify that a particular F, J, or M nonimmigrant has paid the fee.
Approximately 99% of participants now submit Form I-901 payment online (Those who submit a paper Form I-901 incur the print and processing cost). Previously, when SEVPâs Form I-901 processing staff identified an error or omission on a Form I-901, it affected contact with the F-1/M-1 nonimmigrant students or J-1exchange visitors via a letter sent through the traditional international postal systems, a process that could take up to 60 days to reach the addressee. By augmenting SEVPâs Form I-901 data collection to include the F-1/M-1 nonimmigrant students and J-1 exchange visitors email address, SEVP shorten the error correction window from 60 days to approximately 14 days.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.