Approximately 1,075,496 foreign-born students were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2019 -2020 academic year. This is about 4.6% of the entire US student population. Students go to the US to study from approximately 200 different countries. More than half of these students are from China and India. Indians who wish to study in the United States need to obtain a student visa to USA from India. Foreign students in the US need to be registered in SEVIS and pay the SEVIS fee.
There are mainly two types of student visas that Indian students can apply for education in the US – F-1 visa and M-1 visa.
SEVIS Meaning
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) utilizes to maintain information regarding:
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools.
- F-1 and M-1 students studying in the United States (and their F-2 and M-2 dependents).
- U.S. Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors.
- J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants (and their J-2 dependents).
- On behalf of DHS, SEVP manages SEVIS.
The system is a critical tool in SEVP’s mission to protect national security while supporting the legal entry and stay of the more than one million F, M and J non immigrants coming to the United States for educational and cultural exchange programs.
SEVIS Fee Meaning
The I-901 SEVIS 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 September 1, 2004, is responsible for paying this fee to SEVP.
The Form I-901 is used to remit payment of the I-901 Fee for prospective nonimmigrants seeking F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, and J-1 visa status.
SEVIS Fee Amounts
I-901 SEVIS Fee F or M visa applicants (full payment): $350
I-901 SEVIS Fee J visa applicants (full payment): $220
I-901 SEVIS Fee special J-visa categories (subsidized payment): $35
I-901 SEVIS Fee government visitor (no payment): $0
Who Needs to Pay the Fee
- New Applicants for Student Status (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3)
- Applicants Reapplying for Student Status (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3) after a Denial of that Status
- Continuing Students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3) in the United States who have already paid the I-901 fee
- Continuing Students (F-1, F-3, M-1 or M-3) not in the United States
- New Applicants for Exchange Visitor Status (J-1)
- Applicants Reapplying for Exchange Visitor Status (J-1) after a Denial of that Status
- Continuing Exchange Visitors (J-1) in the United States
- Continuing Exchange Visitors (J-1) not in the United States
- Spouse or Minor Children of Students or Exchange Visitors
Payment Instructions
- You must have a complete and accurate Form I-20 or DS-2019 If you do not have an I-20 or DS-2019 or if the information on the form is incorrect, contact your school official or program sponsor.
- Do not pay for a dependent child or spouse who is on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa. There is no I-901 SEVIS fee due for a dependent child or spouse for these visa types.
- Do not pay again if you know that you have made a mistake after you submitted your information. Instead, send an email to [email protected] and explain what information may need to be changed.
Pay SEVIS Fee
Please go to the official website to pay the SEVIS Fee.
1. Information Required:
- Form I-20
- your SEVIS ID
- school information
- personal details such as date of birth and birthplace.
2. Fill out the form I-901 here
- Confirm Payment
- Print your receipt
3. Verify and Correct Information
4. Select Payment Method
5. View and print your receipt
SEVIS Fee Receipt
In order to get your student visa, you must present proof of your I-901 SEVIS Fee payment at your visa interview.
The printed confirmation will serve as proof of payment for the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
Print a receipt of payment after you have completed your I-901 payment.
If you would like to request corrections to your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt because you have noticed misspellings, would like to go to a different school, or would like to transfer your payment to a new SEVIS record, you must first e-mail a detailed request to [email protected].
Do not pay again if you know that you have made a mistake after you submitted your information. Instead, send an email to [email protected] and explain what information may need to be changed.
Checking the Status
To check the status of an existing I-901 Fee or to print your I-901 Payment Confirmation, please enter the information requested and click the ‘Check I-901 Status/Print Payment Confirmation’ button.
- SEVIS ID
- Last Name
- Surname or Primary Name
- Date of Birth
SEVIS Fee Transfer
To request an I-901 Fee Transfer, please enter the information as requested. If there is a valid fee payment on the record, a request transfer button will appear next to the print confirmation button.
To ask any questions related to the rights of NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs, you can download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store. You can also use the SBNRI app for investment in stock market/ mutual funds, NRI account opening, tax filing, etc. To ask any questions, click on the button below. Also, visit our blog and YouTube channel for more details.
FAQs
No, you must have a Form I-20 or DS-2019 before you pay the fee.
What documents do I need to fill in my Form I-901?
You need the information from your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to fill out the Form I-901. You do not need to send a copy with the Form I-901.
If you do not complete the payment process and receive a control number (coupon payment) or a confirmation number (credit or debit card payment), your online Form I-901 is not saved. You will need to start the process over and choose a payment method.
You can print your receipt as many times as needed by going to www.fmjfee.com and selecting Check I-901 Status/ Print Payment Confirmation.
