What is I-901 SEVIS Fee? How to Pay SEVIS Fee?

SEVIS or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is the web-based system of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The purpose of the system is to maintain information on the Students and Exchange Visitors to the country. To study in the USA, international students have to pay for their entry which in technical terms is called the SEVIS Fee. Check out the SEVIS fee amount and eligibility for international students going to study in USA through this article. 

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a way to keep a record of all your details and the reasons for US travel for those holding a non-immigrant student visa. In simpler words, it is an internal databank of all non-national students/ exchange students going to study in the USA. The department requires the sponsors (in your case, the university) to register with the department. In effect, US university does the same when they offer you admission and provide you with the SEVIS Number on the I-20. Check out what is SEVIS fee and who needs pay it, also check out the sample SEVIS fee receipt for reference in this article.

What is SEVIS Fee?

While applying for a Student Visa for the USA, students often come across the term SEVIS Fee. So what is SEVIS fee for? Paying the SEVIS fee is, in fact, the first step in applying for the US Student Visa - either for an F-1 visa or a J-1 visa. But what is it? On the students’ part, students are required to pay the SEVIS Fee, which is at present at USD 350. Students are recommended to pay this fee before they start filling out their Visa Application Form (DS 160) as the receipts of the payments are sent by post and might take up to 15 days to arrive. Also, the original receipt would be required when you submit the documents.

Applicants must also note, that SEVIS fee is only applicable for student visa holders of -  F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, and J-1 non-immigrant visa holders. The dependents of these visa holders, that is,  F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, and J-1 is not applicable for their dependents. Thus, only the main applicants are required to pay the SEVIS fee and not their dependents. 

How to Make SEVIS Fee Payment?

To be eligible to pay the SEVIS fee payment, applicants will have to apply to SEVP-approved colleges, in case the college accepts the students they can follow the process. SEVIS fee is paid online with the help of a credit card. Students can also pay by bank cheque but that would delay the process by at least 3 weeks and is not recommended. In case you do not have a credit card, you could ask either of your parents to pay the same for you. Here is a step-by-step breakup of what you need to do to make a SEVIS fee payment.

• Log on to https://fmjfee.com/
• Click on ‘Submit Form I-901 and Fee Payment’
• Read the instructions carefully, select the radio button for the I-20 form and click on ok.
• It would open a form. Fill out the form with the details. Note that the details should exactly match your I-20. You would be required to provide your details, the SEVIS No. (Shared in your I-20), and the address
  • It is very important to give the address which would have UPS Delivery as your SEVIS Receipt would be mailed to you and you would need this receipt at the time of your visa interview.
• Select whether you want standard or expedited delivery of the receipt. Standard delivery does not cost you extra and you usually receive it well in time. Do provide your contact number.
• Select a Payment Method. Note, you can pay it online by credit card or through cheque. A Credit Card is usually preferred.
• Provide Card Details. It would be charged $350 at the existing exchange rates. Please make sure that the card you are using has that balance and can be used for international transactions.
• The system would populate a receipt. Please print out the same.
• Once you have paid the fee, you can start filling out your DS 160 form.

Eligibility to Pay SEVIS Fee in USA

The following table shows the SEVIS fee details for each of the visa holders: 

*Applicants applying to become an exchange visitor, will have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee unless they are participating in a federally sponsored program. Also, the program code should start with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7. 

Thus international students who are applying for a student visa to study in the USA and for the visas given above in the table are eligible to pay the SEVIS fee upon receiving their I-20 form from their university. 

SEVIS Fee Validity

The SEVIS fee is valid for 12 months or one year, thus, applicants who submit a SEVIS fee should receive their visa within this one year of SEVIS fee payment. In case the applicants fail to receive their visas during this period, they will have to pay the SEVIS fees again. The SEVIS fee is a one-time payment for a US student visa under the F-1 or J-1 visa. If applicants wish to check if the SEVIS fee is valid, they can also approach their designated university officials for confirmation. 

There is also a deadline to pay the SEVIS fee which is 30 days from the date of release of notification. Failure to pay this fee can result in the termination of SEVIS status and the applicant will go through the entire process all over again. Thus, applicants should keep the deadlines noted as well. Based on the payment of SEVIS fee, applicants can only then apply for a student visa in USA. Appointments for visas will be given based on the validity of the SEVIS fee payment. 

Have more queries? Send us your queries in the comment box below. Also, applicants looking at admissions abroad and requiring assistance can sign up for free Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors and request a callback.