Paying the SEVIS Fee
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the database of the U.S. Federal Government Department of Homeland Security that keeps records on students studying in the U.S. Federal law requires that this database be supported by fees paid by students and exchange visitors. Information on SEVIS and the fee can be found at www.ice.gov/sevis
You are required to pay the $100 SEVIS fee to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prior to applying for the F-1 or J-1 visa. (This is not a school fee or your visa application fee). You must have a paper receipt showing payment of this fee when applying for the visa. Take your receipt to the visa interview. The SEVIS fee cannot be paid at the consulate.
Payment can be made by one of the following:
If using the Western Union system, it is imperative that you go to www.ice.gov/sevis, follow the links for the "I-901 fee" beginning in the right hand navigation bar, and choose the Payment by Western Union Quick Pay Instructions link. Follow the instructions outlined there precisely. The Western Union receipt serves as your fee receipt for your visa interview.
If paying by check or over the internet, you will use Form I-901 to pay the fee. You can access and complete this form on-line at www.fmjfee.com. (On this page you must scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Yes" at the question "Do you have a valid Form I-20. . .?") It is strongly recommended that you complete the I-901 form on-line to eliminate confusion caused by hand writing. You will be requested to enter specific information found on the I-20 or DS-2019 enclosed in your packet. See sample forms on reverse for location of requested information.
Recommended method - Advantage: Get printed a receipt instantly
At least 3 days before your visa interview, go to www.fmjfee.com and enter all the requested data on Form I-901. Then click on "Credit Card" and key in the requested data. Click the "submit payment" button. If your credit card is accepted, you will get a screen that you can print out as your fee receipt. Take this "receipt" to your visa interview.
Drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars
Complete Form I-901 either on-line at www.fmjfee.com or use the enclosed paper form. If completed on-line, print out the completed form. Obtain a check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to the "I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee," drawn on a U.S. bank. You also have the option of paying an additional $30 to have your receipt sent back to you by expedited delivery (courier service) rather than by regular airmail. If you ask for courier service, your check MUST include the additional $30 courier fee.
Mail the payment to:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O. Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020 U.S.A.
OR if sending by courier (FedEx, DHL, etc), address the package to:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
1005 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
U.S.A.
Paper forms are scanned and read by machine. If information is missing or hard to read, the form will be manually reviewed. This could cause a delay in processing your form or could result in the form being returned to you for correction. When using a paper form, print clearly. Your SEVIS ID number, last name (surname or family name) and date of birth must match the information on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 exactly.
