What the SEVIS fee is and who has to pay it

The SEVIS fee is a payment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that covers the cost of maintaining your student record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). If you are an international student coming to the United States on an F-1 or M-1 visa, you must pay this fee before you can receive your I-20 form or DS-160 visa application form from your school.

The fee is separate from tuition, housing, or any other school costs. It goes directly to the government, not to your school. Your school's international student office will tell you when you need to pay it, but the payment itself happens through a federal system called SEVIS I-901.

The amount varies depending on your visa category. F-1 students (academic students) and M-1 students (vocational students) pay different rates. You can find the exact current amount on the official SEVIS website before you pay.

Key Takeaways

  • You must pay the SEVIS fee through the official SEVIS I-901 online system before your school can issue your I-20 form.
  • Payment is made directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, not to your school, and requires your SEVIS ID number.
  • You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer, and payment typically processes within minutes to a few hours.
  • Your school will not release your I-20 form until the fee payment shows as complete in the SEVIS system.
  • Keep your payment receipt as proof — you will need it when you apply for your visa and when you enter the United States.

How to access the SEVIS I-901 payment system

Go to the official SEVIS website at sevis.ice.gov. Look for the link labeled "Pay I-901 Fee" or "SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment." You will need your SEVIS ID number, which your school's international student office provides to you. Your school will not give you this number until after you have been admitted and have accepted their offer.

If you do not yet have a SEVIS ID, contact your school's international student office. They will create your SEVIS record and send you the ID number by email. This usually happens within a few days of your admission, but timing varies by school.

Do not use a third-party website or payment service. The official SEVIS I-901 system is free to access, and there is no legitimate reason to pay anyone else to submit your payment for you.

Payment methods and processing time

The SEVIS I-901 system accepts three payment methods: credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer. Credit and debit card payments process almost immediately — you will receive a confirmation number within minutes. Bank transfer payments can take up to three business days to clear.

If you are paying from outside the United States, a credit or debit card is usually the fastest option. Make sure your card is enabled for international transactions before you attempt payment. Some banks block online payments to U.S. government systems unless you notify them in advance.

After payment processes, the SEVIS system updates within a few hours. Your school's international student office can see that you have paid, and they will then release your I-20 form. Do not wait for a physical receipt in the mail — your online confirmation number is your proof of payment.

What happens after you pay

Once your payment is confirmed in the SEVIS system, your school's international student office will email you your I-20 form. This form is required to apply for your F-1 or M-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You cannot apply for a visa without it.

When you apply for your visa, you will need to show your SEVIS fee payment receipt. Print or save your confirmation number and the receipt page from the SEVIS I-901 system. Bring these documents with you to your visa interview.

When you arrive in the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will check that your SEVIS fee has been paid. If there is any problem with your payment record, you may be denied entry. This is rare if you paid through the official system, but it is why keeping your receipt matters.

Common payment problems and how to fix them

If your payment does not go through, the SEVIS I-901 system will show an error message. The most common reasons are a card that does not work for international transactions, incorrect card information, or a card that has expired. Try again with a different card or payment method.

If you paid but your school says the payment has not appeared in SEVIS, wait at least a few hours. Bank transfers take longer than card payments. If more than 24 hours have passed and your school still cannot see the payment, contact the SEVIS Help Desk at 703-603-3400 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time). Have your SEVIS ID and payment confirmation number ready.

If you lose your payment receipt, you can retrieve it by logging back into the SEVIS I-901 system with your SEVIS ID. The system keeps a record of all payments. Print or download the receipt again and save it in multiple places.

Refunds and fee waivers

The SEVIS fee is non-refundable once you have paid it. If you decide not to come to the United States after paying, you cannot get your money back. Some schools offer fee waivers for students with financial hardship, but these are rare and must be requested through your school's international student office before you pay — not after.

If your school has told you that a fee waiver is available, ask them in writing to submit the waiver request to SEVIS on your behalf. Do not pay the fee until the waiver has been approved and your school confirms it in writing. Once you pay, the fee cannot be reversed.

Timeline: when to pay relative to your visa application

Pay your SEVIS fee as soon as you receive your SEVIS ID from your school. You cannot move forward with your visa application without proof of payment. Most students pay within a week of receiving their I-20 form, but there is no rule that says you must wait — you can pay immediately.

Plan to pay at least two weeks before your visa interview if you are paying by bank transfer, since that method takes longer to process. If you are paying by card, you can pay just a few days before your interview. Either way, do not wait until the last minute, because technical problems can happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the SEVIS fee before I receive my I-20 form?

No. Your school must create your SEVIS record and assign you a SEVIS ID before you can pay. You cannot pay without this ID. Once you have the ID, you can pay immediately — you do not have to wait for the I-20 form to arrive in the mail.

What if I am changing schools or transferring to a different program?

You may need to pay a new SEVIS fee if you transfer to a different school or change your visa category. Your new school's international student office will tell you whether a new fee is required. Do not assume you have already paid for your new program.

Can someone else pay the SEVIS fee for me?

Yes. A family member, friend, or sponsor can pay on your behalf using the SEVIS I-901 system. They will need your SEVIS ID number. The payment goes to the government regardless of who submits it, and you will receive the same confirmation receipt.

What if my SEVIS record is terminated before I pay?

If your school terminates your SEVIS record before you pay the fee, you cannot pay it. Your school must reinstate your record before you can proceed. Contact your school's international student office immediately if this happens.

Do I need to pay the SEVIS fee again if I extend my stay in the United States?

No. The SEVIS fee covers your entire program, including any extensions. You do not pay it again unless you change schools or change your visa category.