TL;DR: Head over to FMJFee.com to pay your SEVIS I-901 fee before your visa interview. Expect to pay $350 if you're an F or M visa holder, or $220 if you're on a J visa. Don’t forget to print your receipt—you’ll need it at your appointment. And here’s the kicker: this fee’s non-refundable and only good for 12 months.
What’s Happening
The SEVIS I-901 fee keeps the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System running. This system tracks everyone in the U.S. on F, M, or J visas. You can’t skip this step—it’s mandatory before your visa interview. Most F and M students pay $350, while J exchange visitors pay $220. If you’re on an F-2 or J-2 visa, you’re off the hook. Pay at least three days before your interview, or the system won’t recognize your payment. And if you don’t use it within 12 months? You’ll have to pay again.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Find your SEVIS ID and school code: Your SEVIS ID is on the top left of your I-20 or DS-2019—it starts with an “N” followed by 10 digits. The school code is right there too (for example, WAS214F10684000).
- Head to FMJFee.com: Open your browser and go to FMJFee.com. Click “Submit Form I-901.”
- Type in your details: Enter your SEVIS ID, last name, first name, and date of birth exactly as they appear on your I-20 or DS-2019. No room for mistakes here.
- Double-check your program info: Make sure your school or program name matches your document. F/M students pay $350; J visitors pay $220. No surprises later.
- Pay up: Grab a credit card—Visa, MasterCard, or American Express only. Debit cards? Forget about it. Bank transfers? Not accepted. Once you pay, save or print that receipt. It’s your temporary proof of payment.
- Keep your receipt safe: Save a digital copy (PDF or screenshot) or print it out. You’ll need this receipt at your visa interview, along with your DS-160 confirmation and other paperwork.
If This Didn’t Work
- Payment failed: Sometimes payments take a little longer to process. Give it 24 to 48 hours before trying again. If the problem sticks around, reach out to FMJFee support via the “Contact Us” link on their site.
- Receipt missing: Log back into FMJFee.com, hit “Check I-901 Status,” and enter your SEVIS ID to reprint your receipt. The system keeps records for five years as of 2026.
- Wrong fee charged: Double-check your visa type. F/M students owe $350; J visitors owe $220. If the system shows an error, contact DHS Study in the States for help.
Prevention Tips
Procrastinating here is a bad idea. Pay the SEVIS fee as soon as you get your I-20 or DS-2019—it can take up to five business days to show up in the SEVIS database. Keep both digital and physical copies of your receipt in a safe place. Transferring schools or changing your visa status? Make sure you need a new fee—only new SEVIS numbers require a fresh payment. J-2 dependents? Check with your sponsor to confirm the $220 fee was paid by the main J-1 visa holder.
Always triple-check your payment details before hitting submit. A typo in your name or SEVIS ID can mess up your visa process. And seriously—stick to FMJFee.com. As of 2026, it’s the only legit site for SEVIS payments. Third-party sites promising to handle the fee? Probably scams.
