Before a US consular officer can issue your F-1, M-1 or J-1 visa, the government expects one payment to be settled: the I-901 SEVIS fee. It is small next to tuition, but mistakes with it (wrong name, wrong website, paying too late) are a common cause of stressful delays. This guide walks through what you pay, how, and what to watch for.
This is general information, not legal advice. Fee amounts and procedures can change, so confirm everything on the official sources listed at the end.
What the SEVIS fee is
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that tracks international students and exchange visitors. ICE’s I-901 page says Congress mandated that all nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors pay the I-901 fee. It is paid to ICE, not to the embassy, and it is separate from your visa application (MRV) fee.
Who pays what
Per ICE’s I-901 SEVIS Fee page:
| Applicant type | Fee |
|---|---|
| F or M visa applicant | $350 |
| J visa applicant | $220 |
| Certain subsidized J categories | $35 |
| Government visitors | $0 |
ICE’s page does not list which J programs qualify for the $35 rate, so check with your program sponsor before assuming you do. Dependents (F-2, M-2, J-2) do not pay, per ICE’s FAQ.
When to pay
- Before your visa is issued. Study in the States says F and M students must pay before the Department of State issues the visa.
- Ideally before the interview. ICE’s FAQ says you may book the interview before paying, but should allow at least three business days for payment to be received and verified.
- Visa Waiver travelers must pay before seeking admission at a US port of entry, and anyone changing status must pay before filing the change.
Step by step: paying the fee
- Get your Form I-20 or DS-2019 from your school or sponsor. You need the SEVIS ID printed on it (it starts with the letter N).
- Go to FMJfee.com by typing the address yourself rather than clicking an ad or a message link.
- Enter your details exactly as on the I-20 or DS-2019: name, date of birth, SEVIS ID, school or program code.
- Choose a payment method. ICE lists credit card on FMJfee.com, or check, money order or Western Union. Study in the States notes that students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or the Gambia should use the money order, Western Union Quick Pay or certified US bank check routes.
- Print the confirmation receipt from FMJfee.com after payment. ICE no longer mails I-797C receipts; you print your own using your SEVIS ID, last name and date of birth.
- Bring the printed receipt to your visa interview, alongside your DS-160 confirmation and I-20. Our F-1 student visa checklist covers the rest of the document pile.
Paying on someone else’s behalf
Parents, sponsors, employers and schools can pay. ICE says any person or organization can complete your I-901 and pay. The practical risk is data entry: the payer must copy your name, birth date and SEVIS ID exactly. If a relative is paying from abroad, send them a photo of the I-20 rather than retyping details from memory.
Refunds and denied visas
- Refunds are narrow. ICE’s FAQ allows them for duplicate payments (paid more than once when only one fee was due) or payments made in error when no fee was required, and requests must be filed within 90 days.
- A refusal does not refund the fee, but it may not cost you twice. If your visa is denied and you reapply for a student visa within 12 months of the first payment, you do not pay again. Exchange visitors get the same window in the same category.
- If you are worried about a refusal, our visa refusal guide explains the next steps.
Transfers and changes of status
- Continuing students transferring between approved schools at the same educational level do not repay. ICE says your school’s DSO should annotate the form “Continuing student - transfer” to avoid visa or reentry issues.
- Changing between F-1 and F-3, or M-1 and M-3, requires no additional payment.
- Changing to J-1 from an F or M classification requires payment before filing.
Name matching and correction pitfalls
The fee is tied to your SEVIS record, so it must match your I-20 or DS-2019.
- Copy the name exactly as printed, including the order of given and family names.
- If you misspelled your name on the form, ICE says to contact SEVP (703-603-3400 or by email/mail with “Name Correction” in the subject line) with your correct name, birth date, SEVIS ID and address.
- Study in the States advises emailing correction or transfer requests to [email protected] at least two weeks before your visa interview.
Scam warnings
ICE’s FAQ names www.fmjfee.com as the official payment website and advises checking that the address appears in your browser bar. It also says the government will never email asking for your bank or card information. Third-party “SEVIS fee services” that charge a markup are not the government; you never need one to pay. Be equally wary of anyone who claims they can waive the fee.
The SEVIS fee is not the visa integrity fee
Students also face the separate $250 Visa Integrity Fee. As described in our visa integrity fee guide, that charge is collected at visa issuance and is distinct from what you pay ICE. For a complete budget, see our US visa fees breakdown.
Quick checklist
- SEVIS ID and exact name from your I-20 or DS-2019
- Fee matched to your category ($350, $220 or $35)
- Paid at least three business days before the interview
- Receipt printed and saved as a PDF too
- Third-party payer given the correct details
Want help tracking your student-visa steps in one place? Join the waitlist.
Sources
- ICE, I-901 SEVIS Fee: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901
- ICE, I-901 SEVIS Fee FAQ: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq
- Study in the States, Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/prepare/paying-the-i-901-sevis-fee
- Official payment site: https://www.fmjfee.com/