•  What do I need to do?
• How do I pay the fee?
• What is the fastest Way to Pay the fee? 
• Processing Times and Payment Verification

The SEVIS I-901 fee is mandated by Congress to support the USCIS program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States. Each student issued an initial Form I-20 after September 1, 2004 is responsible for paying this fee to SEVP.  Georgia Southwestern State University does not pay or collect this fee.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

You will need to complete a Form I-901 with information from your Form I-20 and pay the required fee ($100.00). You have the option of paying an additional $30 to have your receipt sent by expedited delivery (courier service) rather than by mail.

You may complete the Form I-901 online at www.fmjfee.com or send the enclosed paper version to:

You must pay the fee BEFORE you appear for your interview with a U.S. Consulate/Embassy.  This fee is separate from and in addition to the visa application fee.  The SEVIS fee must be paid by the Internet or by mail.  It cannot be paid at a U.S. embassy or consulate and it cannot be paid at port of entry.  If you are paying by mail, please allow time for your payment to be received and processed before appearing for your interview. 

How do I pay the fee?

The fee can be paid by one of two means:

• Electronically, by completing a form I-901 through the Internet and using a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card.
• By mail, by submitting Form I-901, Fee remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants, together with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency.  Sources for such checks and money orders include banks chartered or operated in the U.S., foreign subsidiaries of U.S. banks, or foreign banks that have an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.

 A third party such as a friend, family member, or other interested party can pay the fee on your behalf through the same means described above.  

NOTE:  You must submit the exact amount.  SEVP will not accept overpayments or underpayments.

What is the fastest way to pay the fee?

The fastest way to pay the fee is to file your Form I-901 online at www.fmjfee.com, pay by credit or debit card and print a receipt. Allow three working days for the information to be posted to SEVIS and the Department of State consular information system.  

NOTE Completing the form online will also help ensure that you provide all the information in the correct format. This helps speed processing.

Processing times and payment verification

 If you pay the SEVIS fee by Internet, your payment is processed immediately and, at the time you make payment, you can print a receipt directly from your computer.  This computer-generated receipt can be used to verify you have paid the fee at an embassy, consular post, or port-of-entry.  Mailing the SEVIS fee does not constitute payment.  The fee is processed when it is received by DHS.  If you mail your payment rather than pay on the Internet, it can take a considerable amount of time for payment to be received and for you to receive a receipt by return mail.   

Whether you choose to pay the fee by the Internet or by mail, a paper receipt will be mailed to the address you provide on Form I-901.  You may choose to have this receipt sent to you either by regular mail or, at an additional charge ($30), by express delivery. 

 A paper receipt is not required in order for you to be issued a visa or to be admitted at the port of entry.  Embassies and consular posts will be able to verify your fee payment without a receipt in most circumstances (if you pay the fee far enough in advance of your visa interview.) Electronic payments must be submitted at least 3 business days in advance of the interview if you will rely on electronic fee verification at the consulate.  Mailed payments must be sent in a manner that assures arrival at the DHS address listed on the Form I-901 at least 3 business days before the scheduled interview. 

***The F-2 dependent of an F-1 student is NOT subject to this fee***