How to Pay the SEVIS Fee

How much does SEVIS cost?

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and everyone pays for it. The database contains useful information on international students and exchange visitors present in the United States. Everyone who applies for an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa has to pay the SEVIS fee before they go for an interview.

It varies according to visa type.  F-1 and M-1 students will pay $350, and J-1 exchange visitors will pay $220.  Keep in mind that the SEVIS fee and the fee for your application are not the same.      You will have to pay both of them for you to finish your application.

Get the I-20 form first

You need to get your Form I-20 (if you are an F-1 or M-1 student) or Form DS-2019 (if you are a J-1 exchange visitor) from your U.S. school or exchange program before paying the SEVIS fee.

This form confirms you've been accepted by a certified school and provides your SEVIS ID number, for which you need to pay.

Make sure that all the information on the form is correct, such as your name, date of birth, SEVAS ID, and college information. Notify your school at once if any of the details are incorrect. It will be substantially harder to get a visa or interview in case of incorrect information is provided when paying the SEVIS fee.

Step 2: Go to the Official Payment Page

After you have in your possession your I-20 or DS-2019 document, you pay the SEVIS fee on www.fmjfee.com. It is the sole way of actually paying the SEVIS fee. Don't use a website you have never visited, or that belongs to another person. They may steal your money or provide you with fake receipts.

To pay the I-901, go to the website and select "Pay I-901 Fee."  Just read the instructions.  It will request your SEVIS ID, school information, and your own information.  To avoid making mistakes, use the same information that appears on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.

Step 3: Complete the I-901 form

You must fill out Form I-901 afterward. This is the way you pay your SEVIS fee.

You will need to enter your complete name, birthdate, citizenship country, SEVIS ID, and school code or exchange program number on this form.  Ensure that everything you enter is correct before you submit the form.  Your payment can be slowed down or denied if you enter a small detail incorrectly.

Step 4: Select a method of payment

You have a few options on how you are going to pay your SEVIS fee. Payment through a credit or debit card, e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, is the easiest and fastest method of payment.

If you are not able to make a payment online, then Western Union Quick Pay or a third-party payment to pay for someone else besides yourself can be employed. After making the payment, you will get a screen that says "Thank you."You must save the page or print it out so that you can confirm that you have paid. In the event of a failed payment, check card limits, or try again later.    Step one is to check whether your bank permits you to remit money to citizens of another country.

Step 5: Save the payment receipt

When you make your payment of the SEVIS fee, you will be given a receipt saying your payment was made.  This is proof that you paid.  You must hold onto this receipt with your immigration papers and bring it with you to your interview.   This is necessary for your interview to proceed.

You should always have a copy of your receipt on your computer and in paper form. If you ever misplace your receipt, you can always visit fmjfee.com and re-print one. Just input your SEVIS ID.If you have spares, you should always keep them handy in case the embassy requests them.

Step 6: Check that the payment was processed

It can take SEVIS a few hours to process your record once you've paid.  To check your payment status, go back to fmjfee.com and log in using your SEVIS ID and other information.

You do not need to learn how to make the SEVIS payment system if you are worried that you might do something incorrectly. Take the consultancy for the USA study visa consultants. They check everything just to make sure it is correct.

Conclusion

To get a study visa in America, you must pay the SEVIS fee.       It confirms your presence in the government student database and enables you to go ahead and attend the interview for your visa.       It should not be difficult for you to get this accomplished if you carefully read and do each step, from obtaining your I-20 form to checking the payment status.