F and M students must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before they enter the country. After the payment is processed, most students will receive a confirmation email, but all students must also print out the I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt. They will need to present the receipt at their visa interview and may be asked for it at a U.S. point of entry.

If you are an F or M student, it is important to verify that the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) ID number, located near the bottom of your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt, matches the SEVIS ID on your most recent Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

If the two SEVIS IDs do not match, then your student record in SEVIS may reflect nonpayment. It is important to remember that SEVIS records that reflect nonpayment run the risk of termination.

Speak with your designated school official (DSO) immediately if your SEVIS IDs do not match and email fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov. In your email, include a record of both SEVIS IDs. An SEVP analyst will determine if the payment can be transferred to your current SEVIS record. If the payment cannot be transferred, you will need to repay the I-901 SEVIS Fee in order to maintain status.

Help other international students avoid the risk of termination by sharing this important message with them on social media, using the hashtag #StudyintheStates.