All new F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to pay a SEVIS fee before they apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa or enter the United States in those statuses. This fee is generally viewed to be the responsibility of the F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor. However, in some situations, the admitting department has decided to cover this expense for the F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor. If the department covers this fee on behalf of the F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor, then the confirmation of the fee payment should be provided to the F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor, as it may be needed when the visa application is made at the US Consulate or when the F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor enters the US.
What is the purpose of the SEVIS fee?
The SEVIS I-901 fee is mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States. Each student or exchange visitor issued an initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 on or after October 27, 2008, is responsible for paying this fee to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
When the fee is paid, payment confirmation should be printed. The F-1 or J-1 should keep that confirmation as proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. When someone applies for an F-1 or J-1 visa or makes an application for a change of status to F-1 or J-1, proof of the SEVIS fee payment must be provided.
How much is the SEVIS fee?
- $350 for students (F-1)
- $220 for exchange visitors (J-1)
When is the SEVIS fee paid?
The SEVIS fee is required for F-1 Students who have been issued an I-20 for “Initial Attendance,” or for J-1.
Exchange Visitors who have been issued a DS-2019 to “Begin a new program.” Because this fee is assessed for each program, it is not required for those who are transferring their SEVIS record to Washington University or who are extending their program.
The fee is only required for F-1s and J-1s. It is not required for the F-2 and J-2 dependents.
What forms of payment are accepted for the SEVIS fee?
Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express), Check, or Money Order. Traveler’s Checks are not accepted. Note that credit card payments are not allowed for nationals of certain countries where have been incidents of fraud involving credit card payments for the SEVIS fee.
Where is the SEVIS fee paid?
Go online to www.fmjfee.com to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and print the payment confirmation. The printed confirmation will serve as proof of payment for the I-901 SEVIS fee
Where can I find additional information?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains a website for the SEVIS fee payment. More information is available at the following website: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq.htm.
SEVIS Fee payment for students (F-1s with an I-20)
- www.fmjcom
- Click “Proceed to I-901 Form and Payment”
- Click I-20 and then click “OK”
- Enter all student information as given on the I-20.
- The school code: KAN 214F 10196 000
- Passport # is not required
- Choose payment method. A check request must be done when selecting Check or Money Order.
- Use vendor 953489 address 15. For individuals from some countries, credit card payment is not an option
- Print the payment confirmation
- Make a photo copy of the confirmation and the first page of the 1-20
- These copies should be saved as back-up for the credit card purchase
SEVIS Fee payment for exchange visitors (J-1s with DS-2019s)
- www.fmjcom
- Click “Proceed to I-901 Form and Payment”
- Click DS-2019 and then click “OK”
- Enter all student information as given on the DS-2019.
- Enter the Exchange Visitor Program Number: P-1-00153
- Enter the Exchange Visitor Category: located in section 4. of the DS-2019 (ex. Student Masters)
- Passport # is not required
- Choose delivery method
- Choose payment method. A check request must be done when selecting Check or Money Order.
- Use vendor 953489 address 15. For individuals from some countries, credit card payment is not an option
- Print the payment confirmation
- Make a photo copy of the confirmation and the first page of the DS-2019
- These copies should be saved as back-up for the credit card purchase