Do L-1 visa holders need to pay the SEVIS fee?

No. The SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee is tied to student and exchange visitor visas, such as those in the F, M, and J categories. The L-1 is an intracompany transfer work visa and is not part of that system, so the SEVIS fee does not apply.

SEVIS exists to track students and exchange program participants. Because the L-1 does not fall under that purpose, this fee simply does not apply to your case.

• SEVIS applies to study and exchange visas (F, M, J).
• The L-1 is a work visa and is not part of that system.
• Therefore, no SEVIS payment is required for the L-1.

The L-1 process has its own set of fees and requirements, which change over time. To find out exactly what applies to your situation, consult the official sources (USCIS and the Department of State) or an immigration specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.