SEVIS Fee for F1 Visa: How to Pay SEVIS Fee for F1 visa?

SEVIS or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is the web-based system of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The purpose of the system is to maintain information on the Students and Exchange Visitors to the country. To study in the USA, international students have to pay for their entry, which in technical terms is called the SEVIS Fee. Check out the SEVIS fee amount and eligibility for international students going to study in USA through this article. 

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a way to record all your details and the reasons for US travel for those holding a non-immigrant student visa. In simpler words, it is an internal databank of all non-national students/ exchange students going to study in the USA. The department requires the sponsors (in your case, the university) to register. US universities do the same when they offer you admission and provide you with the SEVIS Number on the I-20. Check out the SEVIS fee, how to make SEVIS fee payment, and who is eligible to pay it; also, check out the sample SEVIS fee receipt for reference in this article.

Since US student visa interviews have halted since May end 2025 until further notice, applicants who have paid their SEVIS fee can check How Temporary US Student Visa Interview Freeze Affecting Indian Students?

SEVIS Fee for F1 Visa Holders Highlights

What is the SEVIS Fee?

While applying for a student visa in the USA, students often come across the term SEVIS Fee. So what is the SEVIS fee for? SEVIS fee payment is, in fact, the first step in applying for a US Student Visa - either for an F-1 visa or a J-1 visa. But what is it? On the students’ part, students are required to pay the SEVIS Fee for F1 visa, which is at present at USD 350. The SEVIS fee receipt is actually available for download immediately after payment; it's not sent via post. Also, the SEVIS fee can be paid prior to the biometric appointment.

Applicants must also note that the SEVIS fee applies only to students and F, M, and J non-immigrant visa holders. The dependents of these visa holders are not required to make the SEVIS fee payment, as it applies only to the main applicants and not to their dependents. 

How to Make SEVIS Fee Payment?

To be eligible to pay the SEVIS fee, applicants must apply to SEVP-approved colleges; if the college accepts the students, they can follow the process. SEVIS fee payment is made online with a credit card. Students can also pay the SEVIS fee by bank cheque, which would delay the process by at least 3 weeks and is not recommended. If you do not have a credit card, you could ask either of your parents to pay the same for you.

Step-by-Step SEVIS Fee Payment Procedure

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of your steps to make a SEVIS fee payment.

• Log on to https://fmjfee.com/
• Click on ‘Submit Form I-901 and Fee Payment’
• Read the instructions carefully, select the radio button for the I-20 form and click on ok.
• It would open a form. Fill out the form with the details. Note that the details should exactly match the I-20. Applicants must provide their details, such as the SEVIS No. (Shared in I-20), and the address
  • It is very important to give the address that would have UPS Delivery as the applicant's SEVIS Receipt will be mailed to them, and they will need this receipt at the time of their US student visa interview.
• Select standard or expedited delivery of the receipt.
• Select a Payment Method. Note, you can pay it online by credit card or through cheque. A Credit Card is usually preferred.
• Provide Card Details. It would be charged $350 at the existing exchange rates (if the applicant is eligible for F1 visa). Please ensure your card has that balance and can be used for international transactions.
• The system would populate a SEVIS fee payment receipt. Please print out the same.
• Once the applicants have paid the SEVIS fee, they can complete their DS-160 form.

Eligibility to Pay SEVIS Fee in USA

Since SEVIS fees only apply to student visa holders, applicants studying in the USA must know the student visa brackets. The following table shows the SEVIS fee details for each of the student visa holders in USA: 

*Applicants applying to become an exchange visitor must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee unless participating in a federally sponsored program. Also, the program code should start with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7. 

Thus, international students applying for a student visa to study in the USA and for the visas given above in the table are eligible to pay the SEVIS fee upon receiving their I-20 form from their university. 

Applicants must note that the SEVIS fee for USA will vary based on the type of student visa the applicant is eligible for. Thus, applicants must check their I-20s to know which US student visa they are eligible for and then submit the SEVIS fee for USA university admissions. 

SEVIS Fee for F1 Visa

Since F1 visas are the most widely offered student visas in USA, applicants must understand it. The SEVIS fee for F1 visa in the USA is USD 350, which is approximately ₹30,595. The F1 visa applicants applying for courses that are longer than six months are given this visa, and in turn, they have to make the SEVIS fee payment for studying in the USA. Thus, those who get their I-20s saying they are eligible for an F1 visa will submit the SEVIS fee for F1 visa only. 

SEVIS Fee Payment Validity

The SEVIS fee for USA is valid for 12 months or one year. Thus, applicants who submit a SEVIS fee for USA should receive their visa within one year of the SEVIS fee payment. If the applicants fail to receive their visas during this period, they must pay the SEVIS fees again. The SEVIS fee is a one-time payment for a US student visa under the F-1 or J-1 visa. Applicants wishing to check if the SEVIS fee is valid can also ask their designated university officials for confirmation. 

There is also a deadline to pay the SEVIS fee, which is 30 days from the release date of notification. Failure to pay this fee can result in the termination of SEVIS status, and the applicant must go through the entire process again. Thus, applicants should keep the deadlines noted as well. Based on the the SEVIS fee for F1 visa, applicants can only apply for a student visa in the USA. Appointments for visas will be given based on the validity of the SEVIS fee payment. 

Is SEVIS Fee Refundable?

When students submit the SEVIS fee, they may change their minds and go to another university in another country. Then questions like - is SEVIS fee refundable crop up. Though the SEVIS fee is non-refundable once it is paid, there can be certain exceptions where the SEVIS fee may be refunded. Here are the exceptions where the SEVIS fee may be refunded:

• SEVIS fee has been deducted twice; the second time, the amount paid will be refunded.
• In case there are glitches at the bank and, due to an error, the SEVIS fee is debited incorrectly, then it can also be refunded.
• Also, when a student visa is denied and applicants do not wish to re-apply, they can request a refund.
• Finally, those who applied for the second time and paid the SEVIS fee but still got rejected can also request a refund. 

Have more queries? Send us your queries in the comment box below. Also, applicants looking at admissions abroad and requiring assistance can sign up for free Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors and request a callback.