What the SEVIS fee is and who has to pay it

The SEVIS fee is a separate charge from your visa process fee that funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database the U.S. Department of Homeland Security uses to track international students and exchange visitors. If you are an F-1 student, J-1 exchange visitor, or M-1 vocational student, you must pay this fee before you can complete your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

The fee is $350 for F-1 and M-1 students and $220 for J-1 exchange visitors. You pay it directly to the U.S. government through a specific online system, not through your school or the embassy. Your school's international student office will give you an I-20 or DS-2019 form (depending on your visa category), and you cannot pay the SEVIS fee until you have that document in hand.

The fee is non-refundable once you pay it, even if you later decide not to come to the United States or if your visa is denied. Some schools charge an additional SEVIS processing fee on top of the government fee — this is separate and goes to your institution, not to DHS.

Key Takeaways

  • The SEVIS fee is $350 for F-1 and M-1 students and $220 for J-1 exchange visitors, and you must pay it before your visa interview.
  • You pay through the official SEVIS payment portal at fmjfees.com, using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer.
  • Your school must issue your I-20 or DS-2019 form before you can pay, and you need that form's reference number to complete payment.
  • After you pay, you receive a receipt that you must bring to your visa interview; the fee is non-refundable.
  • Processing typically takes one to three business days, but you should pay at least one week before your interview to allow time for delays.

How to access the SEVIS payment system

The official payment portal is fmjfees.com, operated by the U.S. Department of State. This is the only legitimate site for paying the SEVIS fee; do not use any other website or service, as scams exist that mimic the real portal.

To log in, you will need your I-20 or DS-2019 form and the SEVIS reference number printed on it. Your school's international student office provides this form once you have been admitted and have submitted any required documents (proof of funds, medical records, or other institution-specific requirements). You cannot access the payment system without this reference number.

When you first visit fmjfees.com, select your visa category (F-1, M-1, or J-1) and enter your SEVIS reference number. The system will pull up your record and display the correct fee amount. Review all information for accuracy before proceeding to payment.

Payment methods and processing time

fmjfees.com accepts three payment methods: credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer (ACH). Credit and debit card payments are processed when ready, though it may take one to three business days for the payment to appear in the SEVIS system. Bank transfers take longer — typically three to five business days — so use this method only if you are paying well in advance of your visa interview.

The system will ask for your name, address, and payment information. Make sure the name on your payment method matches the name on your I-20 or DS-2019 form. If there is a mismatch, the payment may be rejected or delayed.

After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and via email. Save this confirmation number and print or screenshot it. This is not your receipt for the visa interview — you will need to print your official SEVIS fee receipt from the system after payment processes.

Retrieving your receipt and proof of payment

Once your payment has processed (usually within one to three business days), log back into fmjfees.com with your SEVIS reference number. The system will show your payment status and allow you to read and print your official receipt. This receipt is what you must bring to your visa interview; the embassy or consulate will not accept a bank statement, credit card receipt, or email confirmation in its place.

The receipt shows your name, SEVIS reference number, the fee amount paid, the date of payment, and a confirmation code. Print it on regular paper — you do not need color or special formatting. Keep a digital copy as well in case you need to reprint it before your interview.

If you do not see your payment reflected in the system after five business days, contact your school's international student office. They can check your SEVIS record directly and may be able to contact DHS on your behalf if there is a processing error.

What to do if payment fails or is rejected

If your card is declined or your bank transfer is rejected, fmjfees.com will display an error message. Common reasons include insufficient funds, a card that does not support international transactions, or a mismatch between the name on your payment method and your SEVIS record.

Try again with a different payment method if possible. If you are using a card issued outside the United States, check with your bank to confirm it can process U.S. government payments. Some international cards require you to notify your bank in advance that you are making a transaction in the United States.

If the problem persists, contact your school's international student office. They cannot process the payment for you, but they can verify that your SEVIS record is correct and may be able to help troubleshoot the issue. Do not attempt to pay through a third-party service or agent — these are not legitimate and will not result in a valid payment to DHS.

Timing: when to pay before your visa interview

Pay the SEVIS fee at least one week before your scheduled visa interview. This gives the system time to process your payment and for you to retrieve your receipt. If you pay fewer than three business days before your interview and there is a processing delay, you may not have your receipt in time.

If your interview is coming up and you have not yet paid, pay when ready. You can pay the fee on the same day as your interview if necessary, but you will need to retrieve your receipt before you go to the embassy or consulate. If the system is slow that day, you may not have time to print it.

Some visa interview appointments are scheduled weeks or months in advance. You do not have to pay the SEVIS fee when ready after receiving your I-20 or DS-2019 form — you can wait until a few weeks before your interview. However, do not wait until the last minute, as technical issues or processing delays could prevent you from getting your receipt on time.

What happens at your visa interview with your SEVIS receipt

Bring your printed SEVIS fee receipt to your visa interview along with your passport, I-20 or DS-2019 form, and any other documents the embassy or consulate has requested. The consular officer will review your receipt to confirm that you have paid the fee. Without it, your interview may be postponed or denied.

The receipt is proof that you have paid the U.S. government directly. The embassy does not collect the SEVIS fee itself — it only verifies that you have already paid it through the official system. If you cannot produce a receipt, you will not be able to proceed with your visa interview that day.

After your visa is approved, the SEVIS fee receipt is not needed again. However, keep a copy for your records in case you need to prove you paid it later (for example, if there is a question about your immigration status or if you need to reapply for a visa in the future).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my school or an agent pay the SEVIS fee for me?

Your school cannot pay it for you, but some schools offer to process the payment on your behalf using your credit card information. If your school offers this service, it is legitimate — they are straightforward entering your information into fmjfees.com on your behalf. However, you can also pay directly yourself. Do not use a third-party agent or service that claims to handle SEVIS payments; these are often scams.

What if I paid the SEVIS fee but my visa was denied?

The fee is non-refundable. However, if you reapply for a visa later, you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again if your SEVIS record is still active. Check with your school's international student office to confirm your status. If your SEVIS record was terminated, you will need a new I-20 or DS-2019 form and will have to pay the fee again.

Is the SEVIS fee the same as the visa process fee?

No. The visa process fee (usually $160 for an F-1 student) is paid separately at the embassy or consulate or through their online system. The SEVIS fee is paid to DHS before your interview. You must pay both fees to complete your visa process.

What if I cannot find my SEVIS reference number?

Your SEVIS reference number is on your I-20 or DS-2019 form, usually at the top. If you have lost your form, contact your school's international student office and ask them to resend it or provide the reference number. Do not attempt to pay without the correct reference number, as the payment will not be linked to your record.

Can I pay the SEVIS fee before I receive my I-20 form?

No. You must have your I-20 or DS-2019 form and its reference number before you can access the payment system. Your school will not issue this form until you have been admitted and have completed their required documentation. Contact your school if you have been admitted but have not yet received your form.