What is the SEVIS fee?

How do I pay the SEVIS Fee?

Who Pays the SEVIS Fee?

Frequently Asked Questions about the SEVIS Fee (FAQs)

On September 1, 2004 a new United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule went into effect. This rule requires new international students to pay a one-time fee of $100 to DHS before they can apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. This fee will pay for SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). This is the system that U.S. schools use to issue I-20 forms. At the time you apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate, you will have to pay any other visa application fees.

Please read this information carefully:

How do I pay the SEVIS Fee?

The fee can be paid to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) using the Internet and a credit card, Western Union, or by mail. You must include the Form I-901, available online, with the fee. You can pay the SEVIS Fee yourself, or someone else (a family member or a friend) can pay the fee for you. You will need to have a receipt, showing that you paid the fee, at the time you apply for an F-1 Student Visa. If you need our help, the Intensive English Program can pay the fee for you.

To Pay Online

1. Find the Form I-901 at http://www.FMJfee.com
2. Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. Be sure to write your name exactly how it appears on your I-20 form.
3. Print a copy of the online receipt.
4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt*, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

*If you pay the SEVIS fee by Internet, you can print a receipt directly from your computer at the same time. This computer-generated receipt can be used to prove you have paid the fee at an embassy, consular post, or port-of-entry.

To Pay Via Western Union

This option is available in any country where Western Union offers its Quick PayTM service.

1. Print out Western Union instructions at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/wu_fm_inter.htm
2. Take these instructions and a copy of the sample form to a local participating Western Union Agent location.
3. Request and fill out the blue form.
4. You must request the Blue Form. Fill out all appropriate information as shown on the instruction sheet. DHS will receive notification of your payment within minutes, allowing you to apply for your F-1 Student Visa.

To Pay By Mail

1. Get the Form I-901 "Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants."
• Download the form from http://http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/pdf/I-901.pdf OR
• Ask for the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US)
2. Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly how it appears on your I-20 form.
3. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901.
5. A Form I-797 receipt* confirmation notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of this receipt notice, and keep it with your other important immigration documents

*If you mail the fee, then you must wait at least 3 business days after DHS receives your payment before trying to apply for your visa. DHS will mail you a paper receipt (called an I-797) to be used as evidence that you paid the fee, but there should also be an electronic record of your fee payment in the US Consulate's database. If there is an electronic record of fee payment in the database, you will not need to show your paper receipt (Form I-797) to apply for the visa or enter the US. However, due to potential technical problems, it is strongly recommended that you wait for a copy of the paper fee payment receipt before making a visa application. Note: The paper receipt (Form I-797) is mailed to the address you wrote on Form I-901. If you want to pay more, you can ask DHS to express mail your receipt. Or you can wait until the receipt is mailed to via regular postal service.

To Pay Through the Intensive English Program

If you do not have Internet access or a credit card, and if you do not have enough time to pay by mail, then you can pay the fee through the Intensive English Program (IEP).

1. Include the $100 SEVIS fee with your application, in addition to your $100 IEP application fee.
2. Include the following information with your application:

• City of Birth
• Passport Number
• Telephone number

This information is needed for us to complete the form I-901.

Your fee receipt (form I-797) will be mailed to you with your I-20.

Will the DHS keep a record of my payment on file?

Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record but it is strongly recommended that you keep a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use in the future.

Who pays the SEVIS fee?

• New students with I-20s marked for "initial attendance" that were issued on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for an new F-1 visa from outside the US.
• New students with I-20s marked for "initial attendance" that were issued on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another status (B-2 for example).
• Current F-1 students in the US filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months, and who are issued an I-20 issued for reinstatement that is dated on or after September 1, 2004.
• Canadians (who do not need an F-1 visa to enter the U.S.) should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of entry with the appropriate I-20. It will not be possible to pay the fee at the port of entry.

Can someone else (friend or family member) pay the fee for me?

Yes. But you should have a copy of the fee payment receipt that proves that they paid the fee for you.

Will continuing F-1 students in the US have to pay?

No, unless the student falls out of status for more than 5 months and applies for reinstatement after, or is outside the U.S. for more than 5 months.

What about my F-2 dependents?

F-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee.

SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay if I stay in the U.S. but transfer to another school or if I change levels (example: ESL to undergraduate study)?

No.

Do I have to pay the fee if I travel outside the US?

If you travel outside the U.S. for more than a 5 month period, then you will need to pay the fee. If you travel outside for less than a 5 month period, you do not need to pay the fee. If you are a continuing student, you will not need to pay the fee, even if you have to renew your visa stamp.

When do I pay the SEVIS fee?

The fee should be paid at least 3 business days before you apply for your visa, change of status or reinstatement application.

I applied to more than one school, and have more than one I-20 form. What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school, and then I change my mind and decide that I want to attend the other school? Can I move my SEVIS fee to the new school?

Yes. But you should bring the I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number that you used to pay the fee with you to the U.S. consulate/embassy. For change of status or reinstatement applications, please see next question

What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status or reinstatement?

• Get a Form I-20 from the school that you want to attend.
• Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or online.
• Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online) for your records.
• Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa, change of status or reinstatement application OR
• For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school, you should submit a copy of that school's I-20 form and a copy of the fee payment receipt with your application.

What if my F-1 visa application is denied?

The SEVIS fee will not be refunded, but if you apply again for an F-1/J-1 visa within 12 months of a visa denial you will not have to pay the fee again.

For more information regarding the new SEVIS fee requirement or other visa-related matters, contact the IEP office.

SEVIS Fact Sheet: Information about SEVIS at Western Washington Univeristy.

Visa/SEVIS Information: Link to official United States Customs and Immigration Services website.