How to Pay Your SEVIS Fee and What Happens After
What the SEVIS fee is and who has to pay it
The SEVIS fee is a payment you make to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security if you are an international student or exchange visitor coming to study in the United States. SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System — it is the database the government uses to track your status while you are in school.
The fee itself is separate from tuition, housing, or any other school costs. As of now, the fee is $350 for most F-1 students (those pursuing academic study) and J-1 exchange visitors. Some categories, like certain exchange visitors or those renewing their status, may pay a different amount. You pay this fee once per status, not once per year, though if your status changes or you transfer schools, you may need to pay again.
Your school's international student office will tell you whether you are required to pay and when. You cannot enroll or receive your I-20 or DS-2019 form (the documents you need to apply for a visa) until this fee is paid and processed.
Key Takeaways
- The SEVIS fee is $350 for most F-1 students and must be paid before your school can issue your I-20 form or you can apply for a student visa.
- You pay online through the official SEVIS website using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check — never send cash or wire money to your school.
- Payment processing takes one to three business days; your school receives confirmation and can then issue your I-20 or DS-2019.
- Keep your receipt and confirmation number; you will need them when you apply for your visa and when you arrive in the United States.
- If you pay but your school does not receive confirmation within a few days, contact the SEVIS help desk directly rather than paying again.
Where and how to pay the SEVIS fee online
You pay the SEVIS fee directly to the U.S. government through the official SEVIS website, not through your school or a third-party service. Go to fmjfees.com — this is the only official payment portal. Your school may provide a link, but always verify it goes to fmjfees.com before entering payment information.
On the site, you will create an account using your passport number and date of birth. You will then enter your personal information, select your fee category (F-1 student, J-1 exchange visitor, etc.), and choose your payment method. The site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks drawn from a U.S. bank account. If you do not have a U.S. bank account, use a credit or debit card.
After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down or screenshot this number — you will need it to prove payment to your school and later to the visa officer. The payment itself is processed within one to three business days. Your school will receive notification from SEVIS once the fee clears.
What happens after you pay
Once your payment is confirmed in the SEVIS system, your school's international student office will be notified. At that point, they can issue your I-20 form (if you are an F-1 student) or your DS-2019 form (if you are a J-1 exchange visitor). These documents are what you need to apply for your student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
You should receive your I-20 or DS-2019 within a few business days of payment confirmation. If your school says they have not received notification after three business days, contact the SEVIS help desk directly at 703-603-3400 or through their website. Do not assume the payment failed or pay again — the delay is usually just a processing lag.
When you apply for your visa, you will bring your confirmation number and receipt as proof of payment. The visa officer will verify that your SEVIS fee is paid before issuing your visa. You will also need this confirmation when you arrive at the U.S. port of entry.
If you paid but your school has not received confirmation
Payment delays happen, especially if you paid by electronic check rather than card. Wait three business days after payment before contacting anyone. If three days have passed and your school still shows no record, do not pay again — contact the SEVIS help desk first.
Call 703-603-3400 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time) or email through the SEVIS website. Have your confirmation number and passport number ready. The help desk can look up your payment in the system and resend confirmation to your school if it was processed but not delivered. If the payment genuinely failed, they will tell you and you can pay once more.
Your school's international student office can also investigate on your behalf, but the SEVIS help desk is faster because they have direct access to the payment system.
Common mistakes that delay payment confirmation
The most common error is entering your name or passport number differently than it appears on your actual passport. The SEVIS system matches your payment to your record using exact spelling and numbers. If you typed your middle name as an initial on the payment form but it is spelled out on your passport, the system will not match them. Double-check every field before submitting.
Another mistake is paying through a third-party service or sending money to your school directly. Your school cannot process the SEVIS fee for you — it must come from you, directly to fmjfees.com. If you send money to your school, they will tell you to pay online yourself, and you will have wasted time.
If you are paying by electronic check, verify that your bank account is in your name and that the routing and account numbers are correct. A wrong account number will cause the payment to fail or bounce, and you will not know for several days.
Refunds and what to do if you change your plans
The SEVIS fee is nonrefundable once it is paid and processed into the system. If you decide not to come to the United States or you change schools before your I-20 is issued, you cannot get the money back.
However, if you have paid but your school has not yet issued your I-20, contact your international student office immediately. In rare cases, if the I-20 has not been generated, the school may be able to request that your SEVIS record be cancelled before the fee is finalized, which could preserve your ability to get a refund. This is not may provide and depends on timing, but it is worth asking.
If you have already received your I-20 and visa, the fee is definitely nonrefundable. If you do not use your visa or you leave the United States early, you still cannot recover the fee.
Keeping track of your receipt and confirmation
Save your SEVIS fee receipt and confirmation number in at least two places — email it to yourself, take a screenshot, and print a copy. You will need this information multiple times: when you apply for your visa, when you check in at the U.S. port of entry, and potentially if there are any questions about your status later.
Some students lose their confirmation number and then have trouble proving they paid when they arrive at the airport. The port of entry officer can look it up if you have your passport number, but it is much faster if you have the confirmation number ready.
If you lose your confirmation number, contact the SEVIS help desk and they can provide it again using your passport number and date of birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my school or a family member pay the SEVIS fee for me?
No. The payment must come from you or your own bank account or card. If someone else's card is used, the system will flag it and the payment may not process correctly. If you need help paying, have a family member give you money first, then you pay online yourself using your own card or account.
What if I pay the SEVIS fee but then my visa is denied?
The fee is nonrefundable even if your visa is denied. The fee goes to the U.S. government for maintaining the SEVIS database, not to your school. If your visa is denied, you can reapply in the future, but you would need to pay the SEVIS fee again if you are issued a new I-20.
How long does it take to receive my I-20 after I pay the SEVIS fee?
Usually three to five business days after your payment is confirmed in the SEVIS system. Your school will email it to you or make it available through their portal. If you do not receive it within a week, contact your international student office to confirm they received the SEVIS payment notification.
Can I pay the SEVIS fee before I am admitted to a school?
No. You can only pay the SEVIS fee after you have been admitted and your school has created your SEVIS record. Your school will tell you when to pay. Paying before you have been assigned a SEVIS number will result in an error.
What if the fmjfees.com website is down or not working?
The site occasionally goes down for maintenance. Wait a few hours and try again. If it is down for more than a few hours, contact the SEVIS help desk at 703-603-3400 to report the issue and ask whether you should wait or try a different payment method. Do not attempt to pay through any other website or service.