What is SEVIS & How to Pay SEVIS Fee?

Students planning to study or applying for a visa in the USA often come across this term, SEVIS.

The US government introduced SEVIS (Student Exchange and Visitor Information System) after the 9/11 attack in 2013. Its purpose is to use an electronic system to collect information on all F, M, and J non-immigrants.

After reading this blog you will get to know what is SEVP, what is SEVIS, how to pay the SEVIS fee, etc.

Before introducing SEVIS, let's first understand the term SEVP.

What is SEVP?

SEVP is also known as the student and exchange visitor program. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) monitors all the activities and information to keep track of all foreign and exchange students in the USA. It ensures that the government authorities store all the data related to non-immigrant students and exchange visitors to preserve national security.

What is SEVIS?

The Student & Exchange Visitor Information System is a website that maintains information and data for international students and exchange visitors in the United States. It is the best technological website used by the Department of Homeland Security. In short, it tracks and monitors international students and exchange visitors.

SEVIS is acceptable in the following ways:

• 
  It is acceptable in all the universities and schools.
• 
  F-1 and M-1 students studying in the United States (as well as their F-2 and M-2 dependents)
• 
  The US Department of the State-designated exchange visitor program sponsors.
• 
  Participants in the J-1 Visa exchange visitor program (and their J-1 dependents) 

What is SEVIS Fee?

So far we have learned about SEVIS, however there is a fee associated with SEVIS that students have to pay while applying for student visa in USA which is known as SEVIS fee for USA. The SEVIS fee for USA is a required payment for international students and exchange visitors when they apply for a U.S. visa. This SEVIS fee for USA helps fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's system that tracks and monitors international students and exchange visitors in the country. Students are required to bear sevis fee cost and must pay the SEVIS Fees for USA before starting the process of filling out the DS-160 Visa Application Form. The SEVIS fee amount for F1 visa is USD 350. Students are required to print the SEVIS fee payment confirmation, which is required during the visa interview.

Learn how to change universities after scheduling a visa appointment and paying SEVIS fees for USA.

SEVIS Fees Breakdown

The SEVIS fee for USA is required for students and exchange visitors applying for a U.S. visa. The amount varies based on the type of visa being applied for.

• 
  F-1 Visa is for the students who are attending academic institutions in the USA under the F-1 visa category.
• 
  M-1 Visa is for the students who are attending vocational or non-academic institutions in the U.S.
• 
  J-1 Visa is for the students who are in exchange visitor programs, including scholars, researchers, and interns.

Common SEVIS Errors

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  Entering the wrong SEVIS ID is one of the common mistakes observed among students paying SEVIS fee for USA.
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  Mismatched Personal Details like incorrect name, date of birth, or nationality.
• 
  Not updating records for changes like address or passport details is another major mistake that students must avoid.
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  Paying the SEVIS fee for the wrong visa type (F-1, J-1, M-1).
• 
  Not printing or receiving the receipt in time for the visa interview.
• 
  Paying the wrong SEVIS fee amount.
• 
  Delaying payment leads to delays in visa processing.

Tips for Avoiding Payment Errors

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  Double-check the SEVIS ID before making the payment. Incorrect SEVIS IDs can result in payment errors.
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  Make sure that you are paying for the correct visa type (F-1, J-1, M-1) and check the exact fee amount for your category.
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  The name entered on the SEVIS I-901 form should match the name on your SEVIS record.
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  Do not delay the SEVIS fee payment, make payment as early as possible to avoid delays in the visa application process.
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  Keep a record of the payment confirmation and verify the SEVIS fee status on the SEVIS I-901 website if you encounter any issues.

Eligibility to Pay SEVIS Fee in the USA:

The table below outlines the I-901 SEVIS fee details for different visa holders:

SEVIS Fee Validity

• 
  Validity Period - The SEVIS fee is valid for 12 months. Students wo has made the SEVIS fee payment must receive their visa within this one-year period. If they fail to do so, they will need to pay the SEVIS fee again. However, the SEVIS fee for USA is a one-time payment.

• 
  Confirmation of Validity - Applicants can confirm the validity of their SEVIS fee payment by contacting their designated university officials.

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  Deadline for Payment - The SEVIS fees for USA must be paid within 30 days from the release of the notification. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of the SEVIS status, requiring applicants to begin the entire process again.

• 
  Visa Application - Applicants can only apply for a student visa in the USA after this. Visa appointments will be scheduled according to the validity of the SEVIS fee payment.

How to Pay the SEVIS Fee?

The SEVIS fees for USA is mostly paid through online mode. The following are the two options to make the payment:

Option-1 Western Union Quick Pay:

It's easy to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee for USA, by using Western Union Quick Pay. The procedure of Western Union will be to collect the form I-901 fee in your local currency and submit both payment and information I-901 to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The following steps are involved while making the payment:

Step 1: Go to www.fmjfee.com and complete Form I-901.
Step 2: Pay the fee by check or money order.
Step 3: Print the coupon.
Step 4: Take the printed coupon to a Western Union location.
Step 5: Complete the Quick Collect/Quick Pay Form with all of the required information.
Step 6: Submit the Quick Collect/Quick Pay Form and your payment to the Western Union agency for further processing.

Note:

• 
  Payment verification will be available instantly at www.fmjfee.com.
• 
  Western Union may require your name and address if you are paying on behalf of an applicant.
• 
  Applicants should use their SEVIS ID.
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  After submitting the payment, please e-mail fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov with “INFO CHANGE” in the subject line & do include the SEVIS ID.

Option 2: Pay With a Credit or Debit Card Online:

You can make an online payment using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or debit cards that have the Visa or MasterCard logo.

The following steps are involved in paying by credit or debit card:

Step 1: Go to www.fmjfee.com and complete Form I-901.
Step 2: Select the credit card or debit card payment method and enter your card information.
Step 3: Make the payment.
Step 4: Print "SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation."

Remember:

Generally, it takes two or three business days to process your I-901 SEVIS fee payment. After all the procedures are completed, print out the “SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation”, bring it to your student visa interview & you are good to go.

Read Also:

• 
  F-1 and J-1 US Student Visa Process guide
• 
  Top Universities in USA
• 
  Cost of Living in the US
• 
  Top Master’s Degree to Choose in USA
• 
  US Universities Application Deadlines
• 
  Proof of Funds for the Visa Interview

Frequently Asked Questions