How to pay the SEVIS fee

International Student and Scholar Services | How to pay the SEVIS fee

1. Receive I-20 or DS-2019 from SAIS.
2. Make visa appointment with U.S. Embassy/Consulate (excluding citizens from Canada, Bermuda, or contiguous islands). For list of embassies click here.
3. If paying with U.S. check/money order/foreign draft by mail, after paying wait to receive form I-797 payment receipt from immigration via mail and submit receipt with visa application.  Be sure to allow enough time for immigration to process fee and return receipt by mail.  Mailing time may vary.
4. If paying with credit card on-line, submit SEVIS fee payment in time to allow immigration to process payment at least 3 days prior to visa interview and print SEVIS fee payment receipt from Internet.
5. Report to U.S. Embassy/Consulate for visa interview.

To Pay By Credit Card (online only)

1. Go to the web site 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 as it appears on your I-20 form.
• SAIS codes are: For I-20s - the school code is listed in # 2 of your I-20 (starts with three letters "WAS"); for DS-2019s - the program number is in # 2 on the DS-2019 (starts with letter "P")
• The SEVIS number is found in the top right-hand box of the I-20 or DS-2019 above the barcode. This is a 10 digit number beginning with the letter ìNî.

3. Print a copy of the online receipt.  Do not exit the receipt page until you have successfully printed the receipt.  You will not be able to return to the receipt page.

4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

To Pay By U.S. Check/Money Order/Foreign Draft (by mail only)

1.   & amp;nbsp;   Go to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement International Students webpage

2.        Click the link ìPaper Form I-901 (PDF),î then print the form.

3.    & nbsp;  Complete the Form I-901.

• Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
• For item #14 the SAIS codes are: For I-20s - the school code is listed in # 2 of your I-20 (starts with three letters "WAS"); for DS-2019s - the program number is in # 2 on the DS-2019 (starts with letter "P")
• The SEVIS number for question #15 is found in the top right-hand box of the I-20 or DS-2019 above the barcode.  This is a 10 digit number beginning with the letter ìNî.

4.   & nbsp;    Prepare a U.S. check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only1) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to ìThe Department of Homeland Security.î  Also, be sure to print your name and SEVIS ID number in the lower left-hand corner of the check, money order or bank draft.

5.    & nbsp;  Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901 Instructions.

6.   & nbsp;   Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee.  Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank. You may therefore obtain a check from: 1) a bank chartered or operated in the United States; b) a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. bank, or c) a foreign bank that has an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank

The SEVIS fee should be processed by immigration at least 3 business days prior to the consular interview. Fees will not be payable at the consulate.

Western Union Quick Pay

This payment option has been recently added by the Department of Homeland Security. For instructions, please follow these links:

    * F-1 students:
      & nbsp;      & nbsp;      http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_fm_inter.htm < ;br />    * J-1 Exchange Visitors (students and all other categories):
      & nbsp;      & nbsp;      http://www.ice.gov/graphics/i901/wu_j_inter.htm

If the F-1 or J-1 visa application is denied the SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.

Students from Canada, Bermuda, or contiguous islands are required to pay the fee

The SEVIS fee should be processed at least 3 business days prior to applying for admission at a U.S. port-of-entry by non-immigrants, who are exempt from the visa requirement.

Help with fee payment issues

If you are having a problem with the SEVIS fee payment process please visit the following website: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq.htm.