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SEVIS I-901 Fee
Office of International Education
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee is a non-refundable fee mandated by Congress to support the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) office and the maintenance of the SEVIS database system that contains all records of individuals in F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor status. This fee is separate from the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee that supports U.S. Consulates.
This SEVIS fee is required of all foreign nationals who come to the United States for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in institutions such as colleges, universities, and language training programs. It is payable one time for each single educational program in which an F-1 or J-1 student participates, extending from the time the student is granted F-1 or J-1 status to the time the student falls out of status, changes status, or departs the U.S. for more than 5 months (exception: participation in authorized study or research abroad).
Do I Need to Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee?
New Applicants for Student Status (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3)
Applicants Reapplying for Student Status (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3) after a Denial of that Status
Continuing Students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3) in the United States
Continuing Students (F-1, F-3, M-1 or M-3) not in the United States
New Applicants for Exchange Visitor Status (J-1)
Applicants Reapplying for Exchange Visitor Status (J-1) after a Denial of that Status
Continuing Exchange Visitors (J-1) in the United States
Spouse or Minor Children of Students or Exchange Visitors
What is the Cost of the SEVIS I-901 Fee?
For F-1 Students |
$ 200 |
For J-1 Students |
$ 180 |
For Spouses and Dependent Children (F-2 or J-2) |
No Cost |
There are no fee waivers available for the SEVIS I-901 fee.
How do I submit the Form I-901 and pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee?
You will need to complete a Form I-901 with information from your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and pay the appropriate fee indicated above online or by mail; the fee cannot be paid at a U.S. embassy or consulate and it cannot be paid at a port of entry.
Submitting the Form I-901
You can complete the Form I-901 online at www.fmjfee.com or submit a paper version via the mail to the applicable address below.
By Mail |
By Courier (to expedite delivery to SEVP) |
|
|
P.O. Box 970020 |
1005 Convention Plaza |
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020 |
St. Louis, MO 63101 |
United States |
United States |
Paying the SEVIS I-901 Fee
You can pay your fee by credit or debit card if you are submitting your form online. If you pay by credit or debit card , you should print out a receipt if you need one immediately and cannot wait to receive a receipt through the mail.
You can pay by international money order or check drawn on a financial institution in the United States and payable in United States currency. (See the section on payment by check or money order for more information.)
Checks are accepted subject to collection. If the bank on which it is drawn does not honor the check, you will be charged a $35 fee.
- If you fill in the Form I-901 online and choose the option to pay by check or money order, you will be able to print a payment coupon. There is a control number on the top of the coupon. Write the control number, your name and your SEVIS ID number on your check or money order and attach the coupon.
- If you use a paper Form I-901, write your SEVIS ID number and name on your check or money order and attach the form before sending it in.
Additional payment instructions
When should I pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee?
The SEVIS I-901 Fee should be paid after receiving your I-20 or DS-2019 from the school you plan to attend. Fee payment is made for a specific SEVIS ID number (starts with N and appears in the upper right-hand corner of your document). Be sure to use the SEVIS number contained on the I-20 or DS-2019 from the sponsor or school you will attend, not an I-20 or DS-2019 from a school you received a document from but do not plan to attend.
You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for a visa, status at a POE, or filing for a change of status—see chart below.
Are you in the U.S.? |
Do you need an F, M or J visa? |
When to Pay the I-901 Fee |
No |
Yes |
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at least 3 business days before going to your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. |
No |
No, I am from a country that does not require a visa |
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at least 3 business days before you appear at the U.S. port of entry. You will not be able to pay the fee at the port of entry so be sure to allow enough time for the payment to be received and verified. |
Yes |
No |
Pay the fee before you apply for a change of status or reinstatement (For more information, see the section, Do I pay the fee?, to determine if you must pay the fee) |
You need to keep the copy of the Form I-20 or DS-2019 for the school or program you paid for.
If you have not entered the country, you will be able go to your visa interview or, if visa exempt, apply for student or exchange visitor status at the POE with:
- The Form I-20 or DS-2019 you used to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
- Your SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- The Form I-20 or DS-2019 for the program you now wish to attend
When you arrive in the United States, you need to request that SEVP transfer your fee payment information from the SEVIS ID number you paid on to the one for the school or program you are actually attending.
Additional SEVIS I-901 Fee Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee?
What documents do I need to complete the Form I-901?
What are the options for fee payment?
How can someone else pay the fee for me?
When can I get my visa and/or enter the United States?
What if I paid online and did not get a confirmation page?
List of all Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
