SEVIS Fee: Definition, Process, and Importance

What is SEVIS and the SEVIS Fee?

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is the US government's official database for tracking international students and exchange visitors throughout their stay in the United States. It is managed by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which is part of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Every F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa holder has a SEVIS record. This record is created when your university issues your I-20 form. It tracks your enrollment status, program dates, work authorisation, and any changes to your academic program.

The SEVIS fee (I-901 fee) is the mandatory payment that funds the operation and maintenance of this system. Congress mandated this fee in 2004 under Section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The fee is paid to SEVP – not to your university and not to the US Embassy.

• The SEVIS fee is officially called the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
• It is paid on the official government website: fmjfee.com.
• It is separate from the visa application fee (MRV fee) paid to the US Embassy.
• Some universities charge their own "SEVIS administration fee" – this is an institutional fee and does NOT replace the government I-901 SEVIS fee. You must still pay the government fee separately.

Read our guide on What is SEVP and Why It Matters for Indian Students.

SEVIS Fee Amount: How Much You Pay by Visa Type

The SEVIS fee amount depends on your visa category. For most Indian students applying for an F-1 student visa, the fee is $350 (around ₹33,500 at current exchange rates).

The table below shows the official fee amounts by visa type, as confirmed by ICE.gov.

Note: The SEVIS fee amounts above have been in effect since June 24, 2019. There is no fee waiver available for the I-901 SEVIS fee. However, a third party – such as a parent, relative, or scholarship organisation – can pay the fee on your behalf using the same payment methods.

Conversion Note: USD to INR exchange rate used: 1 USD = ₹95.71 (May 18, 2026). All INR figures are approximate.

Who Must Pay the SEVIS Fee and Who Does Not

Not every international student needs to pay the SEVIS fee every time they apply for a visa or re-enter the USA. Understanding when you must pay – and when you do not – prevents unnecessary payments and delays.

You MUST pay the SEVIS fee if you are:

• Applying for an initial F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa for the first time.
• Applying for a change of status to F-1, M-1, or J-1 from another visa category while inside the USA.
• A continuing student who has been outside the USA for more than 5 months without participating in authorised overseas study.
• A student who did not maintain F-1 status and is applying for reinstatement after being out of status for more than 5 months.
• Starting a completely new program after completing a previous one (even at the same university).
• Changing from F-1 or M-1 status to J-1 status.

You do NOT need to pay the SEVIS fee again if you are:

• A continuing student returning to the USA after an absence of less than 5 months, using the same SEVIS ID.
• Transferring to a new university at the same educational level (same SEVIS ID).
• Changing educational levels – for example, moving from a Bachelor's to a Master's program at the same or a different university (same SEVIS ID).
• Applying for an extension of stay to complete your current program.
• Applying for OPT, CPT, or any employment authorisation.
• Reapplying for a visa within 12 months of your initial SEVIS fee payment after a visa denial.
• The spouse or minor child of an F-1, M-1, or J-1 student (F-2, M-2, or J-2 dependents).

How to Pay the SEVIS Fee: Step-by-Step Process

The SEVIS fee is paid on the official government website fmjfee.com. Online payment by credit or debit card is the fastest method and is strongly recommended for Indian students.

• Step 1: Receive your I-20 from your university. You must have your I-20 before you can pay. The I-20 contains your SEVIS ID number (starting with the letter N), which is required to complete the payment form. Do not pay using an I-20 from a university you do not plan to attend.
• Step 2: Go to fmjfee.com. This is the only official government website for SEVIS fee payment. Be cautious of third-party websites that claim to process SEVIS fee payments – they are not authorised.
• Step 3: Fill in Form I-901 online. You will need your SEVIS ID number, full name (exactly as it appears on your I-20), date of birth, country of citizenship, country of birth and school code from your I-20.
• Step 4: Pay the fee. Online payment accepts Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit cards, and debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo. You can also pay by check or money order (mailed to SEVP) or via Western Union Quick Pay.
• Step 5: Print your payment receipt. After payment, print the confirmation receipt from fmjfee.com. You must bring this printed receipt to your F-1 visa interview. The consular officer will verify your payment using the SEVIS ID on the receipt.

Important for Indian students: Students with citizenship or birth in Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia cannot pay by credit card and must use money order, Western Union Quick Pay or certified check from a US bank. Indian students are not subject to this restriction and can pay by credit or debit card online.

Read our complete guide on the F-1 Visa Application: A Comprehensive Guide for Indian Students.

When to Pay the SEVIS Fee?

The SEVIS fee must be paid before your F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy. You can schedule your visa interview before paying the SEVIS fee — but you must pay and have proof of payment before you appear for the interview.

Recommended timing for Indian students: Pay the SEVIS fee at least 5–7 business days before your visa interview. This gives enough time for the payment to be processed and verified in the Embassy's system. Paying 1–2 days before the interview is risky — if the system has not updated, the consular officer cannot confirm your payment.

When You Do Not Need to Pay the SEVIS Fee Again

One of the most common mistakes Indian students make is paying the SEVIS fee again when they do not need to. The fee is tied to your SEVIS ID — not to each visa or each I-20 you receive.

You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again in the following situations:

• Renewing your F-1 visa to return to the USA: If you are a continuing student returning to the same program after an absence of less than 5 months, you do not pay again. Your SEVIS ID remains the same.
• Transferring to a new university: Transferring between SEVP-approved schools at the same educational level does not require a new SEVIS fee payment, as long as you maintain your F-1 status and use the same SEVIS ID.
• Changing educational levels: Moving from a Bachelor's to a Master's program (or Master's to PhD) does not require a new SEVIS fee, as long as you use the same SEVIS ID and maintain your status.
• Applying for OPT or CPT: Employment authorisation applications do not require a new SEVIS fee payment.
• Extending your program: If your university extends your I-20 to give you more time to complete your current program, you do not pay again.
• Visa denial and reapplication within 12 months: If your F-1 visa was denied and you reapply within 12 months of your original SEVIS fee payment, you do not pay again. If you receive a new SEVIS ID, you must request a fee transfer by emailing fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov.

Changing Schools or Programs After Paying

If you paid the SEVIS fee for one university and then decide to attend a different university, you do not need to pay again – but you must request a fee transfer.

• Email fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov with your original SEVIS ID and the new SEVIS ID from your new university's I-20.
• Submit this request at least 2 weeks before your visa interview to allow enough time for the transfer to be processed.
• After the transfer, log in to fmjfee.com to verify the update and print a new receipt showing the correct SEVIS ID.
• The SEVIS ID on your payment receipt must always match the SEVIS ID on your most current I-20 at the time of your visa interview.

Important: If you received acceptance letters from multiple universities and paid the SEVIS fee using one university's I-20, use only that I-20 for your visa application – or request a transfer to the new university's SEVIS ID before your interview. Do not pay the fee multiple times for different universities.

Why the SEVIS Fee Matters: Consequences of Non-Payment

The SEVIS fee is not optional. Failing to pay it – or paying it incorrectly – has direct consequences for your visa application and your ability to enter the USA.

• Visa denial: If you are required to pay the SEVIS fee and have not paid it, the US Embassy will deny your visa application. This is a mandatory check at every F-1 visa interview.
• Denial of entry at the port of entry: Even if you somehow received a visa without paying the SEVIS fee, you can be denied entry into the USA at the port of entry.
• Denial of benefit applications: If you are already in the USA and were required to pay the SEVIS fee but did not, any benefit application – including OPT, CPT or change of status – can be denied.
• Work permit denial: If you did not pay the SEVIS fee when required, your OPT or CPT work permit application will be denied – even though no additional SEVIS fee is required for employment authorisation itself.

The SEVIS system also serves a broader purpose for Indian students: it is the official record of your enrollment status, program dates and work authorisation. Your DSO uses SEVIS to update your record when you transfer, change programs, apply for OPT or go on a leave of absence. Maintaining an active and accurate SEVIS record is essential for maintaining your F-1 status throughout your time in the USA.

Read our guide on US Student Visa Requirements: Cost, Application and Process.