On July 27, 2004 the State Department (DOS) issued a field cable instructing consular posts on the SEVIS fee that certain F, M, and J students and exchange visitors will have to begin paying as of September 1, 2004. The cable provides guidance and background as to who needs to pay the fee, when the fee must be paid, payment options, and the China-India pilot program. The cable notes that the consular officer’s responsibility will be to verify payment, not to collect the fee. AMDOC#: 200407023