What is the SEVIS fee and how do I pay it for a US student visa?

The SEVIS fee is a mandatory fee paid by most F-1 and M-1 international student visa applicants before their visa interview. SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System — the US government's tracking system for international students and exchange visitors.

The current SEVIS I-901 fee for F-1 students is USD $350. This fee is separate from the US visa application fee (MRV fee), which is USD $185.

How to pay: You pay the SEVIS fee online at fmjfee.com using your SEVIS ID number, which is printed on your Form I-20 from your institution. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check (ACH). After payment, print or save your SEVIS fee payment receipt — you must bring this to your visa interview.

Timing: You should pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 business days before your visa interview so the payment has time to be processed and appear in the system. Some consulates require the fee to be paid even earlier, so check the specific requirements of your consulate.

Students applying for initial F-1 visas must pay the SEVIS fee. If you are transferring schools, changing your programme, or extending your stay, you generally do not need to pay again unless your SEVIS record was terminated.

Keep your SEVIS payment confirmation safe — you will need it if you ever need to prove you have a valid SEVIS record.