SEVIS Fee: What is it and How to pay?

SEVIS, as created by the US government, employs an electronic system to gather data on all F, M and J non-immigrants. This centrally computerized system also maintains and manages information about foreign students, exchange visitors, and their dependents in US. It can be said that it is a database of all non-national students and exchange students who visit USA and keeps tabs on every detailed activity of visitors. All of the details including reason for travelling to the United States are kept as a record by the SEVIS. This is also utilized to maintain information about exchange visitor program sponsors designated by the US Department of State. Students are assigned a SEVIS number which they need to keep handy through the entire application process. They are tracked consistently from the time they receive Form-I-20, a form for legal enrollment under a program in the USA. SEVIS is officially updated by The Office of International Affairs.

The SEVIS Fee is acceptable and applicable in following cases:

• It is permitted in all universities and schools.
  
• A new student starting a course with an I-20 form and applying for a visa.
  
• Applying for a visa as a new student beginning an IUPUI program with an I-20.
  
• Students om F-1 and M-1 visas studying in the United States as well as their F-2 and M-2 dependents.
  
• Travelling to the United States in F-1 status as a Canadian citizen.
  
• The exchange visitor program sponsored by the US Department of State.
  
• Participants in the J-1 visa visitor exchange program and their J-1 dependents.
  
• Applying for change of status to F-1 from another non-immigrant status while in the United States.
  
• When filing for reinstatement after being out of status while in the United States for more than five months.

Where SEVIS Fee is not required or applicable:

• Dependent of an F-1 student with F-2 status.
  
• F-1 student in lawful status transferring between schools in United States.

The visa application fee paid to the embassy is not inclusive of this service, and so additional fee has to be paid before filing the visa application form. SEVIS fee receipt for F1 visa is received by post within two weeks. This original receipt is a requirement with documentation.

Significant information required during payment of SEVIS Fee:

• SEVIS Identification Number as listed on the Form I-20
  
• Name, address, date of birth, and email address.
  
• Country of birth and country of citizenship.
  
• School Code as listed on the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status

Process of SEVIS Fee Payment:

SEVIS fee should be paid at least three days prior to visa interview appointment. It could be paid either online with a credit card or via mail, cheque or money order. Mostly SEVIS fee are paid online. Process of two payment options is mentioned below:

Credit or Debit Card Online:
Online payment could be done using Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Debit cards and it entails the following steps:

• Step 1: Visit www.fmjfee.com and fill out Form I-901.
  
• Choose a credit or debit card payment method and enter your credit or debit card information.
  
• Pay the bill.
  
• Print the SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation.

Western Union Quick Pay:
SEVIS fee is simple to be paid with Western Union Quick Pay. Western union collects the form I-901, charge in your local currency and transmits both payment and form I-901 information to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Following steps are there in this process:

• Visit www.fmjfee.com and fill out Form I-901.
  
• Make a check or money order payment for the charge.
  
• Print the coupon
  
• Submit the coupon to a Western Union agent
  
• Quick pay form is filled with necessary details
  
• Quick pay form is submitted with payment to Western union for processing

Important points to remember:

• Applicants must enter their SEVIS ID
  
• Payment verification is accessible at fmjfee.com
  
• While paying on behalf of anyone, one needs to provide their name and address
  
• Post payment, email id needs to be sent to [email protected] with the subject “INFO CHANGE”
  
• Print the SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation to be taken to a Student Visa Interview

SEVIS FEE AMOUNT (*T&C APPLY)

• Visit fmjfee.com to access the SEVIS fee payment portal.
  
• Click the Check I-901 Status button.
  
• Enter SEVIS ID number, last name and birthdate.
  
• Select Submit.
  
• Summary of SEVIS I-901 fee payment history is presented, along with the date, time and payment method utilized for each transaction.
  

Validity of the SEVIS Fee for an F1 Visa:

• SEVIS FEE is valid for the duration of F1 status.
  
• After payment, fee is valid for 12 months.
  
• In case of not securing visa within 12 months, SEVIS fee is to be repaid.
  
• International Students and exchange visitors, according to Federal rule, need to pay I-901 SEVIS fee upon receipt of Form I-20 or DS 2019 and before booking visa appointments and US Consulate overseas.
• Students must preserve all kinds of receipts and acknowledgements until completion of degree in the United States.
  

Refund for SEVIS I-901:
If SEVIS I-901 is paid twice, then one is entitled to a refund. Steps to get refund:

• SEVIS Help Desk could be reported about double payment and give details to reach it like SEVIS ID number, and payment information.
  
• Payment history will be examined by the authorities.
  
• SEVIS I-901 Refund request form is filled out with SEVIS ID number, payment information and a succinct justification to submit refund request.
  
• Within 7 to 10 business days after processing the request, the SEVIS fee payment processor will credit the original payment method with the refund.