SEVIS repayment while holding F-1 VISA because of admission deferral?

[DharmikStud]

Hi, I paid the I-901 SEVIS fee last year in April '22 and got my F-1 VISA in June '22.

However, due to medical reasons, I had to defer my admission by a year (Fall 2022 to Fall 2023).

So, I will start in the Fall of '23 (September). I already have a new I-20 with the same SEVIS ID.

I understand that the same VISA works, and I don't need a new VISA.

So, do I need to repay the SEVIS fee or it stays valid till I start in September 2023?

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I emailed SEVP on this, this is the reply I got:

The fee is only valid for one year from the original date of payment. Your fee will expire on 04/24/2023.

If you don’t receive your visa and begin your program of study inside the U.S. within that year, you are required to pay a new I-901 fee.

I asked for a clarification but got the same answer.

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This being said, it applies to when I don't have a visa right, or am I getting it wrong? Since I already have a visa and will be using that, is repayment needed?