Unlock the secrets of the SEVIS fee and discover the significance of this essential payment in your U.S. immigration journey.

SEVIS fee is a mandatory $220 payment required for all F-1 and J-1 visa applicants before attending U.S. embassy visa interviews. This fee funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the database tracking international students and exchange visitors in the United States.

Understanding SEVIS fee requirements prevents visa application delays and ensures smooth processing. This guide covers the fee amount, payment process, refund policies, and common questions based on Placement International's experience helping over 12,000 J-1 participants navigate U.S. visa requirements.

SEVIS Fee Amount in 2025

The SEVIS I-901 fee costs $220 for J-1 exchange visitors as of 2025. This amount has remained unchanged since 2019 when it increased from the previous $180.

F-1 student visa applicants pay a higher SEVIS fee of $350. M-1 vocational student visa applicants also pay $350. The lower J-1 fee reflects the temporary, program-focused nature of exchange visitor programs compared to multi-year academic study programs.

SEVIS fees are separate from and in addition to visa application fees ($185) and any sponsor program fees you pay. Budget for all three costs when planning your J-1 program finances.

What SEVIS Fee Pays For

SEVIS fee revenue funds the operation and maintenance of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This system tracks over 1.5 million international students and exchange visitors in the United States at any given time.

The system allows U.S. government agencies to monitor program compliance including verifying participants maintain valid status, tracking program start and end dates, confirming participants attend authorized schools or work at approved employers, and identifying potential security concerns or visa violations.

Your SEVIS fee payment activates your record in this system, creating the digital trail U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers review when you enter the United States and enabling your sponsor organization to report on your program activities.

Without paying SEVIS fee, your visa application cannot proceed and embassy staff cannot schedule your interview.

When to Pay SEVIS Fee

Pay SEVIS fee only after receiving Form DS-2019 from your J-1 sponsor organization. The payment process requires information from this form including your SEVIS ID number.

Complete SEVIS payment at least 3-5 business days before your scheduled visa interview. Payment takes several days to process and appear in government systems. Embassy staff verify payment before conducting interviews, and insufficient processing time causes rescheduling delays.

Placement International recommends paying SEVIS fee within one week of receiving your DS-2019 form. This ensures adequate processing time and prevents last-minute payment issues from disrupting interview schedules.

How to Pay SEVIS Fee: Step-by-Step Process

SEVIS fee payment occurs exclusively through the official government website at fmjfee.com. Never use third-party websites claiming to facilitate SEVIS payments, as these may be scams.

Step 1: Gather Required Information

Before starting payment, have your Form DS-2019 ready. You'll need your SEVIS ID number (printed at top right of DS-2019), program number (also on DS-2019), personal information matching your passport, and valid credit or debit card for payment.

Step 2: Access Payment Website

Visit fmjfee.com and select "Submit Form I-901 and Fee Payment." The website accepts payment 24 hours daily, though temporary maintenance occasionally occurs. If the site is unavailable, try again after several hours.

Step 3: Complete Payment Form

Enter your SEVIS ID number exactly as shown on DS-2019. The system retrieves your information automatically from the SEVIS database if your sponsor has processed your DS-2019.

Verify all pre-filled information matches your DS-2019 and passport exactly. Discrepancies prevent payment processing and require contacting your sponsor to correct the DS-2019.

Select your payment method. The system accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit cards with major card logos, electronic check (U.S. bank accounts only), Western Union Quick Pay, and money orders or checks for mail payment.

Most international applicants use credit or debit cards for immediate processing. Electronic check, Western Union, and mailed payments take significantly longer and risk delaying your interview.

Step 4: Submit Payment

Review all information carefully before submitting. Payment is non-refundable except in very limited circumstances, so errors can be costly.

After submission, the system generates a payment confirmation page immediately. Print this page or save as PDF. This is your Form I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt that you must bring to your visa interview.

Step 5: Verify Payment Processing

Payment appears in SEVIS within 3-5 business days. You can verify payment status by returning to fmjfee.com, selecting "Check Status," and entering your SEVIS ID number.

If payment doesn't appear after five business days, contact the SEVIS Help Desk immediately using contact information on the fmjfee.com website. Have your confirmation number and payment receipt available.

SEVIS Fee Receipt Requirements

Your SEVIS fee receipt (Form I-901) is required at multiple points in your J-1 visa process.

Present original or printed copies at your U.S. embassy visa interview. Consular officers verify payment before proceeding with interviews. Digital copies on phones or tablets may not be accepted, so bring printed receipts.

Keep the receipt for U.S. port of entry when you arrive. Customs and Border Protection officers may request proof of SEVIS payment when admitting you to the United States.

Retain the receipt throughout your J-1 program. Some sponsors request copies for program files, and you may need it if applying for program extensions or changes.

SEVIS Fee Refund and Transfer Policies

SEVIS fees are generally non-refundable. The U.S. government considers payment final once processed, regardless of whether you ultimately obtain a visa or enter the United States.

• Limited Refund Circumstances

Refunds are only granted in these specific situations: You paid the fee erroneously (you were not actually required to pay), you paid the fee multiple times for the same SEVIS record, or there was a data entry error that resulted in incorrect payment amount.

Visa denial does not qualify for SEVIS fee refund. If your visa application is rejected, you forfeit the $220 payment. This is why careful preparation and working with experienced sponsors like Placement International matters. Our 94% J-1 visa approval rate means participants rarely lose SEVIS fees to denied applications.

• SEVIS Fee Validity Period

SEVIS fee payments remain valid for your initial program and one reapplication to the same program if your first visa application was denied. The payment is valid for 12 months from the date you paid.

If you apply for a visa more than 12 months after paying SEVIS fee, you must pay again. Similarly, if you change to a completely different program with a new DS-2019 and new SEVIS ID number, you must pay a new fee.

• Transfer Between Programs

If you change from one J-1 program to another within 12 months and receive a new DS-2019, you typically must pay a new SEVIS fee because each DS-2019 has a unique SEVIS ID requiring separate payment.

However, if your program is extended or transferred and maintains the same SEVIS ID number, you don't pay again. Your sponsor organization can clarify whether your specific situation requires new payment.

SEVIS Fee for J-1 Program Extensions

If you extend your J-1 program beyond the original end date listed on your DS-2019, you generally don't pay SEVIS fee again as long as your SEVIS record remains active.

Program extensions that don't require you to leave and reenter the United States use the same SEVIS record and ID number. Your sponsor issues an updated DS-2019 with the new end date, but your SEVIS fee payment remains valid.

If your program ends and you later apply for a completely new J-1 program with a different sponsor or different category, you receive a new SEVIS ID and must pay a new SEVIS fee.

SEVIS Fee vs. Other Visa Costs

J-1 visa applicants pay multiple fees that serve different purposes and go to different agencies. Understanding these distinctions helps you budget correctly.

SEVIS fee of $220 goes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to maintain the SEVIS database. Visa application fee of $185 goes to U.S. Department of State to process your visa application. Sponsor program fees (typically $1,500-$2,500) go to your designated J-1 sponsor organization for program administration and support.

Total costs for J-1 visa processing range $1,900-$2,900 in fees alone, not including travel, initial living expenses, or other program costs. Placement International's program fee of $1,995 is competitive and includes comprehensive support that independent application cannot provide.

Common SEVIS Fee Payment Problems

Several issues commonly affect SEVIS fee payments. Knowing these helps you avoid delays.

• Payment Declined

Credit card declines occur when your bank flags international or government payments as potentially fraudulent. Contact your bank before attempting payment to authorize the transaction. Some banks require advance notice for payments to U.S. government websites.

• Wrong SEVIS ID Number

Entering incorrect SEVIS ID prevents payment from associating with your record. Triple-check the number against your DS-2019 before submitting payment. If you discover an error after payment, contact the SEVIS Help Desk immediately with your confirmation number.

• DS-2019 Not in System

If you try to pay immediately after receiving DS-2019, your record may not yet appear in SEVIS. Sponsors must process DS-2019 into the system before payment can occur, typically taking 1-3 business days after issuing the form. Wait at least 48 hours after receiving your DS-2019 before attempting payment.

• Lost Receipt

If you lose your payment receipt, you can retrieve it from fmjfee.com by selecting "Retrieve Payment Receipt" and entering your SEVIS ID or confirmation number. Print multiple copies and save digital versions in multiple locations to prevent this problem.

SEVIS Fee FAQs

• Can someone else pay my SEVIS fee?

Yes. The fee can be paid by you, your family, your sponsor, or anyone else willing to pay on your behalf. The payment doesn't need to come from the visa applicant's personal account.

• Do J-2 dependents pay SEVIS fee?

No. SEVIS fee applies only to the principal J-1 visa holder. Spouses and children applying for J-2 dependent visas don't pay separate SEVIS fees, though they do pay the standard visa application fee.

• What happens if I don't pay SEVIS fee?

You cannot proceed with your visa application. Embassy staff will not schedule or conduct visa interviews without verified SEVIS fee payment. This is a mandatory, non-negotiable requirement.

• Can I pay SEVIS fee before receiving DS-2019?

No. You need your SEVIS ID number from DS-2019 to complete payment. Wait until your sponsor issues this form before attempting payment.

• Is SEVIS fee refunded if my visa is denied?

No. SEVIS fee is non-refundable even if your visa application is unsuccessful. The fee pays for system maintenance regardless of application outcome.

How Placement International Helps with SEVIS Process

While SEVIS fee payment itself is straightforward, the broader visa process contains numerous steps where guidance prevents costly mistakes. Placement International provides comprehensive support including DS-2019 preparation and processing, detailed SEVIS payment instructions, verification that payment processed correctly, coordination with embassy interview scheduling, preparation for visa interview questions about SEVIS and program details, and troubleshooting if any SEVIS-related issues arise.

Our experience with over 12,000 J-1 placements means we've encountered and resolved every possible SEVIS payment scenario. Participants working with Placement International rarely experience SEVIS-related delays or problems because we provide step-by-step guidance through this requirement.

Ready to start your J-1 program? Contact Placement International to begin the process. We handle the complexity of visa requirements including SEVIS fee payment, letting you focus on preparing for your international hospitality career experience.