The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an internet-based U.S. Government system designed to track international students, scholars and their accompanying dependents in F or J status. NIC is required to use this system to create the I-20/DS-2019 forms, authorize benefits, and report other events.
Important SEVIS Fee Information
Prospective F-1 students and J-1 students or scholars who are issued Form I-20/DS-2019 for the first time are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. It is a one-time fee per SEVIS program and must be paid prior to applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa, changing to F-1 or J-1 status, or entering the U.S. (Canadian citizens). The fee is collected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the operation and maintenance of SEVIS. NIC does not receive any portion of this fee.
- All prospective F and M students from countries where a visa to travel to the U.S. is mandatory
- All prospective F and M students from visa waiver countries (before seeking admission at a U.S. port of entry)
- Any nonimmigrant in the U.S. applying for a change of nonimmigrant status to F-1 or M-1 status (before applying for a change of nonimmigrant status)
- An F or M student applying for reinstatement of student status because of a violation of status (before applying with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- An F or M student who has been absent from the U.S. for more than five months and wishes to re-enter the U.S. to return for further study in the same course of study (before re-entry into the U.S.)
- There is an exception for students who have been working toward completion of a course of study for a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in authorized overseas study. Contact your designated school official (DSO) if you believe this applies to you.
- A dependent of an F-1, M-1 or J-1 student who will be applying for an F-2, M-2 or J-2 visa does not have to pay an I-901 SEVIS fee
A prospective F or M student with a country of citizenship or country of birth of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank. All other prospective F or M students also have the option to make a credit card payment on FMJfee.com.
SEVP will accept third-party payments, meaning someone else can pay your I-901 SEVIS fee using the same method of payment. For students who cannot pay the fee by credit card, third-party payers are also restricted from paying the fee by credit card.
For instructions on how to complete the Western Union Quick Pay/Quick Collect form, please visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website.
You can also access the PDF version of Form I-901 on SEVP’s website. Print and mail in your paper Form I-901 with your check or money order, according to the instructions on the form.
For detailed instructions or for assistance on how to make an I-901 SEVIS fee payment, call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400.
You can also access FMJfee.com on your mobile device to find information about your payment status and see your payment confirmation. However, you must print a copy of your I-901 SEVIS fee payment confirmation to apply for a visa to enter the U.S.
Yes. Be sure to print or save a copy of your I-901 receipt. Take a copy of your receipt to your Student Visa interview and to your Point-Of-Entry to the U.S. You should also provide a copy to the designated school official (DSO) upon arrival at the college.
Because of the high volume of fee transfers and change requests, please email your request a minimum of two weeks before your visa interview to ensure enough time to complete the changes.
You can check the status of your request by logging into FMJfee.com to review the status of your correction and print your I-901 SEVIS fee receipt.
Within two weeks, if your requested changes are not complete, please contact the SEVP Response Center at (703) 603-3400.
I-901 Fee Assistance
- Email: fmjfee.SEVIS@dhs.gov
- I-901 Customer Service hotline: (703) 603-3400
- I-901 fee payment: www.fmjfee.com