Overview
In general, a student requesting an F-1 or J-1 visa is required to pay a SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and retain proof (e.g. payment receipt) that the fee has been paid to present at the time of visa appointment and/or arrival in the U.S. The SEVIS fee is separate from the visa fee you will pay to the embassy or consualte to receive your F-1/J-1 visa.
Canadian citizens must also pay the SEVIS fee and present the receipt at the time of arrival in the U.S.
Effective June 24, 2019 the SEVIS Fees are: $350 for F-1 students and $220 for J-1 students.
The DS-160 Visa Fee has not been adjusted and remains at $160.
If you are a SEVIS transfer student who is transferring your existing F-1/J-1 record to UChicago, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee a second time for the same record.
Paying the SEVIS Fee
DHS currently offers three methods of payment:
NOTE: Paying the fee online with a credit card or through Western Union is much faster than paying by mail. You will receive a receipt immediately after submitting payment and can move through the process much more quickly. Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya and Cameroon can only pay the SEVIS fee via check, money order, or Western Union.
How to Pay the SEVIS Fee
- Use the I-901 SEVIS fee FAQs for guidance regarding payment method, frequently asked questions, and more.
- Visit the SEVIS Fee Payment website and follow the instructions.
- Print your receipt and take it with you to your visa appointment and when arriving in the U.S. (you may be asked for it), and make a scanned copy for your records.
Additional SEVIS Fee Information
Other important points:
- The Study in the States website provides additional information about the SEVIS fee.
- F-2 and J-2 dependents do NOT have to pay the fee. The FAQ on the DHS website includes a list of others who do not have to pay the fee.
- The fee can be paid by anyone on behalf of any student or exchange visitor.
- OIA does not pay the SEVIS fee on your behalf.
- The fee only has to be paid ONCE per initial F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record (i.e. once per SEVIS number)
- A visa application fee will be charged at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in addition to the SEVIS fee.
- The printed confirmation from http://fmjfee.com serves as proof of payment for the SEVIS fee.