Before entering the country, students preparing to study in the United States must pay their I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee. In fact, prospective students need proof that they paid the fee before they can get a student visa from the U.S. Department of State.

 To successfully pay an I-901 SEVIS Fee, a prospective F or M student must:

• Obtain a signed Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status,” from the Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVP)-certified program they plan to attend.
   
• Visit FMJFee.com to submit the I-901 SEVIS Fee to SEVP and print the receipt after SEVP receives and confirms the payment.

When paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee, prospective students should use the correct SEVIS ID number. Students can find their correct SEVIS ID number on the Form I-20 they receive from the SEVP-certified school they will attend. A student’s SEVIS ID number should be the same on both their Form I-20 and their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt.

Prospective students need to print the payment confirmation receipt from FMJFee.com and bring it with them to their visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, as well as when they arrive to the United States at a U.S. port of entry. Not having your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt with you during either of these times could affect your ability to study in the United States.

Please note that SEVP recently updated the SEVIS Form I-901 that you must complete when paying the fee. There is now a  mandatory email address field. This allows students to receive email notifications about the status of their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.

Students who want to use Western Union Quick pay to submit the I-901 SEVIS Fee should remember that SEVP also updated its process to make it more convenient to receive a receipt right away.

To begin the process of paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee, watch the I-901 SEVIS Fee tutorial video. If you have further questions, contact the SEVP Response Center or speak with your designated school officials.

Remind other prospective students to pay their I-901 SEVIS Fee before entering the United States by sharing this article with them on social media using the hashtag #StudyintheStates.