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SEVIS Fee (I-901 Fee)

What is the SEVIS fee?

Beginning September 1, 2004 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began collecting a fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This includes the administration and maintenance of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). International students and exchange visitors are required to pay this $200 fee.

Who pays the SEVIS fee?

  • Prospective students with I-20s dated on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for an initial F-1 visa from outside the United States
  • Prospective students currently in the U.S. applying for a change to F-1 status
  • Continuing students filing an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than five months.
  • Continuing students who are applying for a new visa to return to the United States after an absence of more than five months.

Who does not have to pay the SEVIS fee?

  • Spouses and dependent children with F-2 visas do not have to pay the fee.
  • Continuing F-1 students who transfer to a new school, request a program extension, change their educational level or travel outside of the U.S. for a period of less than 5 months.

How much is the SEVIS fee?

The SEVIS fee is $200 for F-1 visa applicants.

When should I pay the SEVIS fee?

The fee must be paid at least 3 business days before applying for your visa or submitting a change of status request or reinstatement application.

Where can I pay the fee?

The SEVIS fee can only be paid to DHS through the Internet, mail or Western Union. It cannot be paid at a U.S. embassy or consulate and it cannot be paid at the port-of-entry.

How do I pay the SEVIS fee?

The fee is paid to DHS by mail, Internet or Western Union using form I-901. You or a third party can pay it, inside or outside the United States. You cannot pay it until you have received your I-20.

Pay Online (Recommended)

  1. Go to www.FMJfee.com and find form I-901.
  2. Complete the form online and supply your credit card information. Make sure that you type your name exactly the same as it is on your I-20.
  3. Print a copy of the online receipt and keep it with your I-20.

Pay By Mail

  1. Fill out form I-901 "Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants."
    1. Download the form from http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/I-901.pdf
    2. Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676.
  2. Complete Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
  3. Prepare a check or money order in the amount of $200 USD, made payable to "I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee". *All checks and money orders must be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a bank located in the United States.
  4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901.
  5. DHS will issue an official paper receipt (Form I-797) for every payment received. It should be mailed within three days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your I-20.
  6. Individuals may request Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt at an additional cost of $30.

Pay by Western Union Quick Pay (Only for students from countries with Western Union)

  1. Go to http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm and print out a copy of the instructions and the sample Western Union form.
  2. Bring this form to a local participating Western Union Agent location. To find the nearest Western Union Agent location go to http://www.payment-solutions.com/agent.asp and select a country or call the telephone number of the Western Union Commercial Services Network Agent in your country as listed in your phone book.
  3. Request and fill out the blue form from Western Union. This form may show words such as "Payment Services" or "Quick Pay" printed in the applicable local language. However, please note that all Quick Pay forms will be blue. Once you have obtained the blue form from the Western Union Agent location, you must fill out all appropriate information.

How will DHS know I paid the fee?

The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. However, we strongly recommended that you keep a copy of the paper I-797 or the Internet generated receipt and bring it with you to the visa interview.

Is this fee refundable?

Once paid, the SEVIS fee is non-refundable, even if the visa is denied or, after the visa is issued, a student chooses not to come to the United States. However, if you reapply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months, you do not have to pay the fee again.

For further information on this SEVIS fee or other visa concerns, please contact us or visit the following DHS website: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/

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