SEVIS is a web-based database that the US Department of Homeland Security uses to keep track of international students (F-1/M-1 visa), exchange visitors (J-1), and their dependents who have entered the USA. It is authorised by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. For those of you asking, ‘what is SEVIS fee for international students?’, let’s take a deeper look into the subject.
What Is SEVIS?
It is the acronym for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The system contains the following information:
- SEVP-certified schools and the list of F-1 and M-1 students attending those schools
- U.S. Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors
- J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants
The system is crucial in maintaining US national security while also allowing legal entry of students and their dependents to the USA under F, M and J visas.
The SEVP-certified schools use the system for the following functions:
- Updating school information
- Applying for school recertification (required to issue Forms I-20 and Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status)
- Issuing Form I-20 to nonimmigrants enrolled at the school
- Reporting student information like address, enrollment, courses of study, etc.
- Transferring student records to other institutions if necessary
Also Read: Hidden But Growing Study Abroad Destinations Students and Parents Often Overlook
F, M And J student and exchange visitor visa
Under US immigration law, the type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your intended travel and other supporting information. An applicant will have to meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which they’re applying.
When you submit your application at a US embassy, a consular officer will decide if you are eligible for the visa. If you are eligible, the officer will also determine which visa category is appropriate for your case.
The below table will help you decipher the jargon involved in obtaining a visa to the US.
Student Visa
A citizen of a foreign nation will have to obtain an F visa or M visa to pursue higher education in the US. Your choice of school and course of study will determine which of the two types you’ll need.
The below table will give you a clear idea of the requirements for the two types of student visas.
| Type of course or institution | Visa category: |
| Universities/colleges | F |
| High Schools | |
| Private elementary schools | |
| Seminary | |
| Conservatory | |
| Other academic institutions (including language training programmes) | |
| Vocational or other recognized nonacademic institutions (excluding language training programs) | M |
Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
Applying For A Student Visa
There are numerous steps that you will have to go through to apply for a visa. The order of these steps may vary based on the US Embassy or Consulate.
We suggest visiting the consulate or embassy website.
The general steps include completing the online visa application and scheduling an interview. Here’s a list of points to keep in mind while applying:
- First obtain the I-20 form from your SEVP-approved school.
- After you have received the I-20 and before visa application, pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee online at www.fmjfee.com
- The US non immigrant visa application form is known as DS-160. It is available at the US State Department website. There is a visa application fee of $185.
- Complete Form DS-160 and print the application confirmation page. You’ll need that during the interview.
- From 2026, there is a new, mandatory $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” to be paid besides the visa application fee. “Students often face minor documentation lapses or delays in status updates. Linking visa compliance to a monetary penalty like this adds another layer of anxiety,” – Arunteja Bukkaparupa, an immigration consultant
- Follow the photograph requirements when uploading your photo while completing Form DS-160.
- Visa applicants will have to go through an interview. Most age-based exemptions for children under 14 and adults over 79 were eliminated in late 2025.
| Age Group | Interview Required? |
| 13 and younger | No |
| 14 – 79 | Yes (there are exceptions for renewals) |
| 80+ | No |
- F and M visas may be issued 365 days before the start of your course if you’re a new student. But you will not be able to enter the United States until 30 days before the start date.
- If you’re a continuing student, an F or M visa can be issued at any time as long as you are currently enrolled at a SEVP-approved school and in SEVIS. You can enter the US any time before the start date too.
Exchange Visitor Visa
If you’re an individual approved to participate in the exchange visitor programs in the US, you can apply for a J visa. You should keep in mind that these visas are issued only for nonimmigrants.
The first requirement to apply for a J visa is to get accepted into an exchange visitor programme through a sponsoring organisation in the USA. Once accepted, you will be registered for the SEVIS and have to pay the SEVIS fee for international students. More on that later.
Here’s a list of categories that are eligible for an exchange visitor visa:
- Au pair and EduCare
- Camp Counselor
- College/university student
- Government Visitor
- Intern
- International Visitor
- Physician
- Professor and Research Scholar
- Secondary student
- Short-term Scholar
- Specialist
- Summer Work Travel
- Teacher
- Trainee
Applying For An Exchange Visitor Visa
Applying for an exchange visitor visa requires almost the same set of procedures mentioned earlier for the student visa. Here are the differences:
- F and M visas requires Form I-20 whereas J visa requires Form DS-2019
- In most cases the SEVIS fee for a J-1 visa is lower. $350 for F-1 vs. $220 for J-1
Summary of US visa fees 2026
| Visa Type | SEVIS I-901 Fee | Application (MRV) Fee | Visa Integrity Fee (New) | Total Estimated Cost |
| F-1 (Academic Student) | $350 | $185 | $250 | $785 |
| M-1 (Vocational Student) | $350 | $185 | $250 | $785 |
| J-1 (Exchange Visitor) | $220 | $185 | $250 | $655 |
Things You Should Know About A Nonimmigrant Visa
- It is a temporary visa issued to foreign nationals for tourism, medical treatment, business, etc.
- Mere issuance of a visa does not mean that you are guaranteed entry into the US.
- At the port of entry, a CBP officer will inspect you to determine if you are eligible for admission.
- There are no exemptions to SEVIS fee and visa fee for students.
Also Read: 5 Problems Students Face When Studying Abroad
What Is SEVIS Fee?
You have to pay the SEVIS fee when you apply for a student or exchange visa. The SEVIS fee funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) system operated and maintained by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The department requires your university (sponsor) to register with the system if you’re a student. Your university does the same and provides you with a SEVIS number. You will have to pay the SEVIS fee to facilitate this process. The SEVIS fee for international students currently stands at USD 350 for F-1 and M-1 visa while J-1 visitors pay $220.
It is recommended that you pay the SEVIS fee before you start filling out your DS-160 form (visa application form). This is because the SEVIS fee receipt is sent by post, and it might take around two weeks to reach you. Also, preserve the receipt carefully since you’ll have to submit the original as a document.
How Do I Pay The SEVIS Fee?
You can pay the SEVIS fee online using an international debit card and credit card with Visa, MasterCard, or Amex logo.
You can also pay using a bank check drawn in US dollars on a US bank and payable to “I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee”. It is however time consuming since you have to wait for it to clear. Therefore a card is preferable.
Here are the step-by-step instructions you’ll need to pay the fee:
Paying it online:
- Log on to the SEVIS fee processing site
- Fill in your Form I-901 online (make sure you put your name in exactly as in your I-20)
- Fill in the card information and make the payment
- Print a copy of the online receipt
Pay using Western Union Quick Pay:
- Complete your Form I-901.
- Use the unique payment coupon number to pay the fee at Western Union.
- You will have to fill out the Quick Pay Form and present it along with the coupon to process the payment.
Do I Have To Pay The SEVIS Fee For International Students?
You should pay the SEVIS fee in the following circumstances:
- You’re a student with an I-20 starting an educational programme
- You want to change your nonimmigrant status to F-1 while in the US
- You have been out of status while in the US for over five months and want to file for reinstatement
You do not have to pay the SEVIS fee in the following circumstances:
- You’re an F-1 student transferring schools within the US
- You’re a dependent of an F-1 student, and you have an F-2 status
- F or M students applying for reinstatement within 5 months of a status violation.
- Students returning to the USA to resume studies after a temporary absence of less than 5 months
- J-1 exchanges visitors with program codes starting with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7.
SEVIS Fee Refund & Cancellation Rules
The question we get asked most often is “Will my SEVIS fee be refunded if I don’t get a visa?”
Unfortunately, the answer is no. The SEVIS fee is nonrefundable even if the visa was rejected through no fault of your own. Once you pay the fee, it is forwarded to DHS.
However, it is not necessarily a waste since the fee is valid for a year. If you were refused a visa for Fall 2026 but reapplied for Spring 2027, you won’t have to pay again.
Common SEVIS Fee Mistakes to Avoid
In light of the above, it becomes even more important to avoid any errors in paying the SEVIS fee. Here are SEVIS fee mistakes you must watch out for.
Entering Incorrect Personal Details
Entering your name incorrectly on the I-901 form will cause a mismatch between the I-20 and SEVIS. It can cause visa rejection. Even worse is if the mistake comes to light when you are already abroad.
Paying the SEVIS Fee Too Late
SEVIS fee has no deadline. This makes many students delay the payment. Do not wait till before the interview to pay the SEVIS fee. It is best to pay it with the visa application fee to avoid any hassle.
Losing the SEVIS Fee receipt
You need to produce the receipt at the time of the interview. Print multiple copies and store them securely. Maintain both digital and printed copies with you during the interview. Remember, you might also need it upon arrival in the US to show CBP.
Using the Wrong SEVIS ID
If you have multiple I-20s, there is the risk of using the wrong reference number when paying the SEVIS fee. The SEVIS ID on your payment must match the I-20 you are using.
You might need guidance and support to go abroad as an international student. From application to SOP and visa, there are several steps that are crucial to perform correctly. GradRight can help you throughout. GradRight offers a complete ecosystem and experts to help you with personalized counselling, applications, university selection, education loans, SOP writing, and visa process. Reach out to us for any help you need.
