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If you are preparing to study, train, or participate in an exchange program in the United States, one of the first—and most important—steps is understanding the SEVIS fee requirement. Whether you are applying for an F-1 student visa, an M-1 vocational visa, or a J-1 exchange visitor visa, the SEVIS fee is a mandatory part of the process. At VKM Immigration Law Group, our goal is to make the U.S. immigration journey easier for international students, trainees, and exchange visitors. This guide explains what the SEVIS Form I-901 is, who must pay it, the latest updates from the Department of Homeland...

The U.S. immigration landscape is shifting once again—and this time, the changes will impact millions of nonimmigrant visa applicants around the world. On September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will roll out sweeping restrictions to the visa interview waiver program, widely known as the “dropbox” option. For years, the dropbox program has provided convenience and efficiency for travelers, students, and professionals renewing their visas without the need for an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate. But starting this fall, that convenience will be severely limited. Most applicants—including professionals in the tech, healthcare, and manufacturing industries—will now be required to...

August 2025 Update: Visa Bond Pilot Program Now in Effect The U.S. Department of State has officially launched a 12-month Visa Bond Pilot Program, effective August 20, 2025, introducing a new financial requirement for select B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visa applicants. This move signals a more stringent stance by the U.S. government to address ongoing visa overstay issues and concerns around national security, particularly related to weak identity vetting and economic citizenship schemes. Under the rule, consular officers will have the authority to require applicants from designated countries to post a visa bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before a visa...