Frequently Asked Questions on Paying the SEVIS I-901 Fee for F-1 Students

Do I have to pay the fee?

All I-20s issued after September 1, 2004 are subject to the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Spouses and minor children of students (F-2) do not have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. However, if the spouse or minor child wishes to change status to F-1, he or she must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before filing a change of status application.

When do I pay the fee?

If you need an F-1 visa to enter the United States as student, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before going to the United States embassy or consulate for your visa interview. You can schedule an interview before you make the SEVIS I-901 fee payment . But the payment must be completed and verified before your interview. Be sure to allow time for the payment to be received and verified .   If you are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and do not pay it, your visa application will be denied by DOS.

Where do I get Form I-901?

You can find the I-901 form on the SEVIS website at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/.   We recommend that you file the form online if you can. Just click on the link " File the I-901 Form online ".   The form is also available in PDF on the same page. To download and print the form, just click on " Paper Form I-901 (download in PDF format)."   If you cannot get internet access to print out a form or complete it online, we can fax you one. Just e-mail us () with your request and your fax number.   If you have Internet access, completing the form online will help ensure that you provide all the information in the correct format. This helps speed processing.

How do I pay the fee?

Paying by credit card or debit card . You can pay your fee by credit or debit card only if you are submitting your form online. If you pay by credit or debit card, you should print out a receipt if you need one immediately and cannot wait to receive a receipt through the mail. The only credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard or American Express. The only debit cards (check cards) accepted are those that have the Visa or MasterCard logo

Paying by check or money order . You can pay by international money order or check drawn on a financial institution in the United States and payable in United States currency. Your check needs to be a draft drawn on a financial institution in the United States and payable in United States currency. You must provide SEVP with Form I-901 information. There are two options for doing this:

Option 1: Fill in your Form I-901 online at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/ and choose the option to pay by check or money order and print a payment coupon. You must have a printer to use this option. You need to print out the coupon and send it with your check or money order.

Option 2: Complete a paper Form I-901

Make the check payable to I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee.

Can someone else pay for me?

Yes. Any person or organization can fill-in your Form I-901 and pay your SEVIS I-901 fee. If a third party other than your school or exchange visitor program files the Form I-901, be sure to provide them with the information from your Form I-20 so they can complete the Form I-901 accurately.

How do I get a record that I paid the fee?

There are two records of payment:

•  Electronic payment information kept in the SEVIS I-901 fee payment system

•  A paper receipt

You will get a paper receipt in the mail for all payments. You can also print a paper receipt immediately if you file online and pay with a credit or debit card.

Why do I need a receipt?

The federal statute relating to SEVIS, (8 USC §1372 (e)(5), requires that a student or exchange visitor present proof of payment BEFORE being granted a visa or admission. The SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt, along with the electronic record in SEVIS and the I-901 payment system, serve as proof of payment. In most cases, people who need to verify that you have paid can do so electronically. However, SEVP recommends that you retain a copy of your receipt. Having the receipt will make it easier to prove you have paid. There are cases where your current SEVIS ID number may be different from the number you paid on. The receipt is also your assurance that your payment and fee information were properly processed and posted.

What do I need to take to the embassy or consulate to prove I paid my SEVIS I-901 fee?

We highly recommend bringing your SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While the embassy or consulate should be able to electronically verify your payment, having the receipt on hand proves that the payment was processed correctly and speeds the verification process.

If you paid the SEVIS I-901 fee using a Form I-20 from a different school from the one you will attend, bring the Form I-20 you used when paying the fee, in addition to the form for the school or program you will actually be attending. If there is no fee differential, the SEVIS I-901 fee you paid will be accepted.

How long does it take to pay the SEVIS fee and get a receipt?

The length of time it takes to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and get a receipt depends on how long it takes for:

•  You to get your Form I-901 information and payment to SEVP

•  SEVP to process the payment

•  SEVP to deliver the receipt to the address you provided

There are three ways to get the Form I-901 information to SEVP: the Internet, the mail or courier.

Internet. We recommend completing the form online because the Internet is fastest . It also speeds the processing step because the online form uses data validation rules to minimize the chances for error. If you file your Form I-901 online and pay with a credit or debit card, you can print a receipt immediately. You will also receive a receipt printed on a Form I-797 in the mail.

Mail . Mail service varies throughout the world, we suggest allowing at least 2 weeks for delivery.

Courier . Courier services offer expedited delivery, but generally cost more than using the mail.

Much of the time involved depends on the mail. If you use regular mail, we suggest allowing at least two weeks for your payment to reach SEVP and two weeks for the receipt to be returned to you. If courier service is available, you can decrease this time by sending your payment by courier. You also have the option of paying $30 for expedited delivery of your receipt.

If you have more questions about paying the Sevis fee, go to the Sevis website at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/.