How much is the SEVIS fee?
The SEVIS I-901 fee is $350 for F and M students and $220 for most J-1 exchange visitors. Choose your visa type and situation to see what you pay.
Confirm before you pay. These amounts were last checked against the official ICE I-901 page in October 2026. Fees can change, and you pay on the official ICE payment site only. This is general information, not legal advice.
SEVIS fee amounts
| F-1 or F-3 student | $350 |
|---|---|
| M-1 or M-3 student | $350 |
| J-1 exchange visitor (most programs) | $220 |
| J-1 au pair, camp counselor or summer work travel | $35 |
| J-1 in a government-funded program (codes G-1, G-2, G-3, G-7) | $0 |
| Spouse or child in F-2, M-2 or J-2 status | $0 |
What the SEVIS fee is
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The I-901 fee pays for running it. You pay it once for your Form I-20 or DS-2019, and your school or program sponsor does not pay it for you unless they choose to.
When to pay
- Outside the U.S. and you need a visa: pay before your visa interview. You can book the interview first, but allow at least three business days for the payment to be verified.
- Outside the U.S. and you do not need a visa: pay and allow processing time before you arrive. You cannot pay at the port of entry.
- Inside the U.S.: pay before you apply for a change of status or reinstatement, if a fee applies to your situation.
Good to know
- There are no fee waivers. A school, sponsor or family member can pay for you.
- Refunds are limited. Duplicate payments and payments made when no fee was required can be refunded, and you must ask within 90 days of the payment. Fees are not refunded if your visa is denied or you decide not to come.
- The SEVIS fee is not the visa application fee. You pay the visa fee separately to the U.S. embassy or consulate. See the State Department fee page.
- This tool covers the most common cases. Rules for continuing students and exchange visitors have more exceptions, so read the ICE I-901 questions and answers if yours is unusual.
Privacy: Everything is worked out in your browser. What you choose is not sent to us or stored.
New to this? Read what the SEVIS fee is and why you have to pay it.
Need help organizing your documents?
One Path Finder can help you gather and organize documents where permitted by law. We are not a law firm and can’t tell you what applies to your case. Contact us to start a conversation. For legal advice, ask us for a referral to our partner law firm.
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