How to Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee for an F-1 Visa: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Among all the steps involved in preparing for an F-1 visa, there's one that consistently trips up even the most careful applicants — paying the SEVIS I-901 fee. Without it, your visa application simply won't move forward, and a payment mistake can delay the entire process by weeks. Here's what this fee is, who needs to pay it, when, and how to avoid the most common errors.

What Is the SEVIS I-901 Fee and Why It's Required

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the electronic system the U.S. government uses to track the status of international students and exchange visitors throughout their stay in the country. The I-901 fee is a mandatory payment that funds this system, and every new student receiving an I-20 form for an F-1 visa must pay it before submitting their visa application.

It's important to understand that the SEVIS fee and the embassy visa application fee are two completely separate payments. They're paid separately, at different times, through different systems — and both are required to complete the visa process.

When to Pay the SEVIS Fee

The I-901 fee is paid after receiving the I-20 form from your school but before submitting your visa application (the DS-160 form) and before scheduling your interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The school issues the I-20 only after confirming your acceptance, and this document includes a unique SEVIS identification number that you'll need when paying the fee.

If a student doesn't pay the fee in advance, they won't be able to schedule an interview, or their application may be rejected during the document review stage — so this step cannot be skipped or delayed.

How Much Does the SEVIS I-901 Fee Cost

As of 2026, the standard SEVIS I-901 fee for F-1 visa students is $350. This amount can change periodically based on government decisions, so it's always worth checking the current fee on the official SEVP website (FMJfee.com) — the only official resource for paying this fee.

How to Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee: Step by Step

Step 1. Get your I-20 form. Before paying the fee, you need to have your I-20 form from your school in hand, with your SEVIS ID number listed on it (it starts with the letter N).

Step 2. Go to the official FMJfee.com website. This is the only site run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security designed for paying the SEVIS fee. Any other websites offering "assistance" with payment for an extra charge should be avoided — payment should only be made directly.

Step 3. Fill out the I-901 form. Enter your information exactly as it appears on your I-20: full name, date of birth, SEVIS number, and the name and address of your school.

Step 4. Choose your payment method. You can pay online with a credit or debit card, and in some cases, by wire transfer through specific services — this option is typically used by applicants from countries where direct online payment is restricted.

Step 5. Save your payment receipt. Once payment is successful, the system generates a confirmation (I-901 Fee Payment Confirmation), which you should print and bring to your embassy or consulate interview. This document may also be requested when crossing the border.

Common Mistakes When Paying the SEVIS Fee

— Paying through third-party intermediary websites. Some questionable services offer to "process" your SEVIS payment for an extra fee — this isn't necessary and can result in lost money with no real proof of payment.

— Mismatched information from the I-20. Even a small error in your name, date of birth, or SEVIS number can cause your receipt to not match the data in the system, which can raise questions during your interview.

— Paying too late. Some applicants mistakenly believe the fee can be paid right before the interview. Payment processing isn't instant, so it should be done well in advance — a few days before submitting the DS-160 form.

— Losing the payment receipt. Without a printed confirmation, you may face additional questions during the interview, even if the payment itself went through correctly.

What Happens If You Change Schools After Paying the Fee

If a student has already paid the SEVIS I-901 fee but later changes schools — for example, transferring to a different language school before arriving in the U.S. — repaying the fee is generally not required, as long as the SEVIS number remains the same and the transfer is processed correctly through the system. This is an important point that often confuses applicants planning a transfer before they've even arrived in the country.

How Lingua Prime Helps Students With the SEVIS Fee Payment

At Lingua Prime NY, we support students not only through enrollment and the issuance of the I-20 form, but also through the next, equally important step — correctly paying the SEVIS I-901 fee. Our team explains exactly when payment needs to be made, how to avoid common errors when filling out the form, and which details must match the I-20 exactly to prevent issues at the consular interview stage.

If you're planning to enroll at Lingua Prime from another country and going through the F-1 visa process for the first time, our team will help you understand every step — from receiving your I-20 to preparing for your interview — so the process moves forward without delays or unnecessary stress.

Final Thoughts

Paying the SEVIS I-901 fee is a mandatory and often underestimated step in preparing for an F-1 visa. The $350 payment is made through the official FMJfee.com website after receiving your I-20 form and before submitting your visa application. To avoid delays, pay early, enter your information accurately, and keep your payment receipt until your interview and entry into the country.

If you're preparing to apply for an F-1 visa to study at Lingua Prime NY and have questions about the SEVIS fee or your I-20 form, reach out to our team. We'll help you get through this step correctly and without unnecessary delays.