AOS pending, do you have to pay international student SEVIS fee?

[laf66 0]

I am a graduate student (entered on F-1 visa) and will graduate with my PhD in August. I have just filed for AOS based on my marriage to a USC. I was wondering whether I have to pay the $50 international SEVIS fee for the summer semester or whether I am no longer considered an international student. I appreciate your help!

[Darnell 8,479]

oh, go ahead and pay it - the monies go to a good cause.

But seriously, it depends on when you 'go out of status' on the F1.

I would think you'd go OUT of status on the F1 when you have green card in hand.

Good Luck !

[besaangel 18]

lol Darnell... But actually hon, you are technically out-of-status as far as your F1 is concerned. You have opted to adjust status from your F-1 so you are no longer liable to it. No you are not required to pay the SEVIS fee as you really dont need to be enrolled this summer. I'm finishing up this semester so as to not waste my husbands money, but once you send off the AOS, you dont have to go back to school for the semester or the next, or until you get a decision from USCIS. If you do, forbid that you get declined for the AOS, then and only then will you revert to your F-1 status.

Congrats on your PhD and enjoy the summer break, I know I am

[laf66 0]

oh, go ahead and pay it - the monies go to a good cause.

But seriously, it depends on when you 'go out of status' on the F1.

I would think you'd go OUT of status on the F1 when you have green card in hand.

Good Luck !

Thanks! Yeah, the SEVIS fee isn't a lot of money. I don't have to pay tuition but someone who does may have a question about whether they still have to pay out-of-state tuition fees once they file for AOS. I assumed that you are no longer considered F-1 (nonimmigrant) when you begin the AOS process.

[laf66 0]

lol Darnell... But actually hon, you are technically out-of-status as far as your F1 is concerned. You have opted to adjust status from your F-1 so you are no longer liable to it. No you are not required to pay the SEVIS fee as you really dont need to be enrolled this summer. I'm finishing up this semester so as to not waste my husbands money, but once you send off the AOS, you dont have to go back to school for the semester or the next, or until you get a decision from USCIS. If you do, forbid that you get declined for the AOS, then and only then will you revert to your F-1 status.

Congrats on your PhD and enjoy the summer break, I know I am

Ok, just wanted to make sure I am out-of-status as far as the F1 is concerned. I HAVE to graduate this summer unfortunately (my dissertation grant forces me to graduate by August, unless I want to pay back the $1000s of research money they have given me). My school also requires students to be registered for at least 3 credit hours during the semester they intend to graduate so I have to be enrolled in the summer.

Thanks for your response!