Lana Oconnell
The I-901 SEVIS fee is a mandatory payment for international students and exchange visitors seeking to obtain a visa to study in the United States. The SEVIS fee supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which oversees the maintenance of student and exchange visitor records, ensuring compliance with visa requirements. The fee amount varies depending on the visa type, with F-1/M-1 visa applicants paying $350 and J-1 visa applicants paying $220. Canadian citizens are exempt from obtaining a visa but must pay the SEVIS fee before entering the US. The payment methods accepted include international money orders, foreign drafts drawn on US financial institutions, and online credit card payments through the official website, www.FMJfee.com. The fee cannot be paid at US ports of entry or consulates, and proof of payment is required during the visa interview process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee | F or M students applying for reinstatement of student status due to a violation of status, or who have been absent from the US for more than 5 months and wish to re-enter |
| Who is exempt from paying the fee | Dependents of F-1, M-1 or J-1 students who are applying for an F-2, M-2 or J-2 visa, J-2 dependents |
| Fee amount | $350 for F-1/M-1 visa applicants, $220 for J-1 visa applicants |
| Payment methods | International money order, foreign draft drawn on a financial institution in the US and payable in US currency, cashier's check, Western Union transfer, credit card (not accepted by some schools) |
| Payment address | I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee, P.O. Box 970020 St. Louis, MO 63197-0020 United States, or 3180 Rider Trail S. Earth City, MO 63045 United States |
| Online payment | www.fmjfee.com |
| Payment deadline | Prior to scheduling the visa appointment with the US |
| Receipt | Must be included with visa applications, and presented at the US port of entry |
| Transferability | Fee is transferable, but the I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number listed on the I-901 form must be taken to the US consulate/embassy |
| Fee validity | Fee is valid for 12 months, after which a new fee may need to be paid |
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What You'll Learn
Payment methods
International students can pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online, by mail, or via Western Union. The fee can be paid by the student or by a third party, either inside or outside the US. The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) does not accept credit card payments, and students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or the Gambia are also unable to pay by credit card.
Online
The I-901 SEVIS fee can be paid online at www.fmjfee.com. This is the only federal website certified to accept these payments. Students can pay by credit card, or they can choose the option to pay by check or money order and print a payment coupon.
By Mail
Students can also mail their payment to:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O. Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020
United States
Or:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
3180 Rider Trail S.
Earth City, MO 63045
United States
The payment should be accompanied by Form I-901, and can be made by check, international money order, or foreign draft drawn on a US financial institution. The check or money order must be made out to the “I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee" and include the student's name and SEVIS ID number.
Western Union
Students can also pay their I-901 SEVIS fee via Western Union Quick Pay/Quick Collect. They will need to complete the Western Union form according to the instructions found on the payment coupon, which can be accessed on the SEVP website.
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Fee amounts
The I-901 SEVIS fee amount is typically $350, though there are some exceptions. For instance, the SEVIS fee for J-1 visa applicants is $220. The fee must be paid in full, and underpayments will not be accepted.
The I-901 SEVIS fee can be paid by credit card, money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank. The payment must be made in U.S. currency. Students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or the Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check.
If paying by check, it must be an international money order or a foreign draft drawn on a financial institution in the United States. The check or money order must be made out to the "I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee." Students can also pay the fee online at www.fmjfee.com.
It is important to note that a receipt of the I-901 SEVIS fee payment must be presented during the visa interview. This receipt serves as proof of payment. Students can print this receipt after completing their payment on FMJfee.com.
Additionally, if a student has already paid the I-901 SEVIS fee and wishes to transfer it to a different school, they must email a detailed request to [email protected] at least two weeks before their visa interview.
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Who needs to pay
The I-901 SEVIS fee is a mandatory requirement for all prospective F, M, and J students. This includes students from countries where a visa to travel to the United States is mandatory and students from visa waiver countries. Additionally, any nonimmigrant in the United States applying for a change of nonimmigrant status to F-1 or M-1 status must also pay the fee.
Students who started a program with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated before the fee came into effect on September 1, 2004, have not completed that program, and have maintained their status using the same SEVIS ID are exempt from paying the fee. Dependents of F-1, M-1, or J-1 students who will be applying for an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa are also exempt.
Exchange visitors who are participating in a federally sponsored program with a program code starting with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 are not required to pay the fee. However, if an exchange visitor wishes to change categories, they must pay the fee before applying for a change unless the new program code falls under the G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 exemption.
Continuing students who have been out of the United States for more than five months and have maintained their status prior to leaving are not required to pay the fee again. However, if a student has not maintained their status or has completed a previous program, they will need to obtain a new Form I-20 and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
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When to pay
The I-901 SEVIS fee must be paid before scheduling a visa appointment with the US. Prospective F and M students need to pay the fee before the Department of State issues a visa. The receipt of payment must be included with all F-1 visa applications.
Students who are applying for reinstatement of student status due to a violation must pay the fee when they have been out of status for more than five months. The payment should be made before submitting the application to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Students who have been absent from the US for more than five months and wish to re-enter to continue their studies must also pay the fee before re-entry. There is an exception for students who have been working towards the completion of a course at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in authorized overseas study.
The I-901 SEVIS fee can be paid on the processing website for SEVP. The fee can be paid by international money order, a foreign draft drawn on a financial institution in the US, or by credit card on FMJfee.com.
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Where to pay
The I-901 SEVIS fee can be paid online at www.fmjfee.com. Alternatively, you can send a paper version of the form and payment by mail.
The address to send your payment to is:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O. Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020
United States
You can also send it to the following physical address:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
3180 Rider Trail S.
Earth City, MO 63045
United States
The phone number for the I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee is 1-800-495-4981 (United States Country Code 011).
The I-901 SEVIS fee is paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is used to cover the operational costs of the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database, which is managed by the DHS.
Some schools or exchange visitor program sponsors may choose to collect the I-901 SEVIS fee from students and pay on their behalf. If your school or program charges this fee, be sure to ask if it is the US government-mandated fee.
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Frequently asked questions
The I-901 SEVIS fee can be paid online or by mail. Payment methods include cashier's check, money order, Western Union transfer, or credit card.
The I-901 SEVIS fee supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors, ensuring they maintain their status while in the US.
The I-901 SEVIS fee is typically $350 for F-1/M-1 visa applicants and $220 for J-1 visa applicants.
