SEVIS Fee Payments
Most applicants for admission to F-1 and J-1 programs in the United States must pay a SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The fee must generally be paid before an application for a visa can be made or before entry into the United States can be made by certain applicants who are not required to have a visa for entry. Persons who are in the United States and are applying for a change of status to J-1 or F-1 must also pay the fee before the application for change of status can be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The fee for most students and scholars is $100. DHS has proposed an increase in the fee to $200 for F-1 applicants and $180 for most J-1 applicants; however, the proposed increases have not received final approval. If approved, the increases will be effective October 1, 2008.
The fee payment must be filed with an I-901, Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants form. The I-901 form is sent by the University to prospective students and scholars along with the I-20 or DS-2019 documents.
Detailed information on the SEVIS fee, including the electronic version of the I-901, is available from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) web page. Additional general information on the SEVIS fee is available from ICE.
Various payment methods are available including payments by mail with checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank payable in U.S. currency. Internet payments using an acceptable credit card can also be made at www.FMJfee.com
At least three business days must be allowed between payment of the fee and application for a visa. It is recommended that applicants have a receipt for payment in hand when applying for a visa. Applications to USCIS which require a SEVIS fee payment must be accompanied by a payment receipt.
The SEVIS fee can be paid by the applicant or by a third-party.
Revised: 4/2008
Texas Tech University, Office of International Affairs, ISSS, MS 5004, 806-742-3667