SEVIS Fee Payment: Complete Guide for International High School Students

Last Updated: April 2026

The SEVIS fee is a mandatory government fee paid by international students before attending a US visa interview. SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the database maintained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to track F-1 and J-1 visa holders throughout their time in the United States. The fee is paid through the I-901 SEVIS fee portal and is separate from all other application, visa, and program fees. For F-1 high school students, payment must be completed before the visa interview at the US embassy or consulate in the student's home country.

Amerigo Education partners with 40 Niche A+/A rated schools across the US, Canada, and the UK, supporting 3,500+ students from 55+ countries. The Class of 2025 achieved 97% admission to Top 100 US universities. Visa support for initial enrollment is provided through Amerigo's third-party visa partner and billed separately. Amerigo staff at all US Signature Schools guide families through each step of the visa preparation process, including SEVIS fee payment.

Key Takeaways

• The SEVIS fee for F-1 students is currently $350 USD: This is the standard I-901 fee for F-1 visa holders. It is paid once per program enrollment period and must be paid before the visa interview.
• You need the SEVIS ID from the I-20 to pay the fee: The I-20 form issued by the school must be in hand before the SEVIS fee can be paid, as the SEVIS ID printed on the I-20 is required to complete the payment.
• The fee is non-refundable: Once paid, the SEVIS fee cannot be refunded. If a student's visa is denied or they do not travel, the fee is forfeited.
• Keep the payment confirmation receipt: The I-901 fee payment confirmation must be brought to the visa interview and retained throughout the student's time in the US.
• Amerigo's visa partner assists with the payment process: Families who find the I-901 payment portal unfamiliar can get guidance through Amerigo's third-party visa service, though this service is billed separately from program fees.

What Is the SEVIS Fee and Why Must Students Pay It?

The SEVIS fee funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the federal program administered by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement that certifies schools to enroll F-1 visa students and maintains the SEVIS database. Every school that enrolls international students on F-1 visas must be SEVP-certified, and the fee paid by each student helps fund the infrastructure that tracks and supports F-1 enrollees throughout their time in the US.

The fee is not optional and is not charged by the school, Amerigo, or any agency. It is a direct government requirement paid to the US Department of Homeland Security. Failure to pay the fee before the visa interview will result in the application being incomplete. The payment must be made at least three business days before the scheduled visa interview appointment to allow the payment to be processed and reflected in the SEVIS system. Students and families should never leave SEVIS fee payment to the day before the interview.

How Do You Pay the SEVIS Fee Step by Step?

The SEVIS fee is paid through the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Program Fee payment portal at fmjfee.com. Payment requires the student's SEVIS ID, which is printed in the top right-hand corner of the I-20 form issued by the school. The SEVIS ID always begins with the letter N followed by ten digits (for example, N0012345678).

The step-by-step process is: first, obtain the I-20 from Amerigo or the partner school (Subject-specific academic support is available through Amerigo, though tutoring may involve additional costs depending on frequency and subject (additional costs may apply). Amerigo supports I-20 issuance for all enrolled students). Second, go to fmjfee.com and select "Pay I-901 Fee." Third, enter the SEVIS ID, student name exactly as printed on the I-20, and date of birth. Fourth, select the fee type as F-1 student ($350 USD). Fifth, complete the payment using a credit card, debit card, or international money order. Sixth, print or save the payment confirmation page, which will show the payment receipt number. This confirmation document must be presented at the visa interview. After payment, allow at least three business days before the visa interview date for the payment to be registered in the SEVIS system.

What Happens If You Do Not Pay the SEVIS Fee?

If the SEVIS fee is not paid before the visa interview, the visa application will be incomplete and the consular officer cannot issue the F-1 visa. The student will be asked to reschedule the interview for a date after the fee has been paid and processed. This can delay the start of the school year if the rescheduled interview falls close to the program start date.

Amerigo's visa partner and on-campus team ensure that SEVIS fee payment is completed as part of the structured pre-departure checklist for every enrolled student. Families who are working through the visa process independently should build the SEVIS fee payment into their timeline well before the interview date and confirm with the visa partner or the I-901 portal that the payment has been successfully processed before attending the appointment.

How Does the SEVIS Fee Fit Into the F-1 Visa Process?

The F-1 visa application process for international high school students involves several sequential steps, each of which must be completed in order. The SEVIS fee sits between I-20 issuance and the DS-160 visa application form completion in the overall sequence. Students who understand the full sequence are far less likely to encounter delays caused by missing steps or incorrect ordering.

The standard sequence is: school acceptance and I-20 issuance, then SEVIS fee payment (I-901), then DS-160 online visa application form completion, then visa interview scheduling at the US embassy or consulate, then attendance at the visa interview with all required documents including the I-20, I-901 payment confirmation, DS-160 confirmation page, valid passport, financial evidence, and school acceptance documentation. Amerigo's third-party visa partner provides guidance on each of these steps, though visa services are billed separately and are not included in Amerigo's program fees. Families should budget for visa services as an additional cost from the outset. Amerigo shares monthly progress reports and school activity calendars and event announcements with all families to keep parents informed throughout the program.

How Does the SEVIS Fee Compare to Other F-1 Visa Costs?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the SEVIS fee for F-1 high school students?

The current SEVIS fee for F-1 visa students is $350 USD. This is paid through the I-901 fee portal at fmjfee.com. The fee is set by the US government and applies to all F-1 visa applicants regardless of nationality, school, or program type.

Where do I find the SEVIS ID to pay the fee?

The SEVIS ID is printed in the top right-hand corner of the student's I-20 form. It begins with the letter N followed by ten digits. Students cannot pay the SEVIS fee until they have received their I-20. Subject-specific academic support is available through Amerigo, though tutoring may involve additional costs depending on frequency and subject (additional costs may apply). Amerigo supports I-20 issuance for all enrolled students, and the I-20 will be issued by the partner school once the student's enrollment is confirmed.

Is the SEVIS fee refundable if the visa is denied?

No. The SEVIS fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, including visa denial, withdrawal from the program, or failure to travel. Families should treat the SEVIS fee as a sunk cost once paid, and ensure all other aspects of the visa application are in order before scheduling the interview to minimize the risk of denial.

Does Amerigo pay the SEVIS fee on behalf of students?

No. The SEVIS fee is a direct government fee paid by the student or the student's family to the US Department of Homeland Security. Amerigo does not pay visa-related fees on behalf of students. Amerigo's third-party visa partner provides guidance on the payment process, but this service is billed separately and is not included in Amerigo's program fees.

What documents do I need to bring to the visa interview?

Required documents typically include the original I-20, the I-901 SEVIS fee payment confirmation, the DS-160 confirmation page, a valid passport, the visa application fee payment receipt (MRV fee), a passport-sized photograph meeting US embassy specifications, proof of financial ability to cover program costs, and the school acceptance letter. Requirements may vary slightly by country and consulate, so families should check their specific US embassy's requirements before attending.

How long before the interview should I pay the SEVIS fee?

Pay the SEVIS fee at least three business days before the visa interview to allow processing time. Paying one to two weeks before the interview is recommended to provide a comfortable buffer, particularly if there are any banking or payment issues that need to be resolved.

Can I pay the SEVIS fee with a card from my home country?

The I-901 portal accepts most major international credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Some families in markets with restricted international card use may need to arrange an international money order or use a card with international online payment capability. Amerigo's visa partner can advise on payment options for students in specific markets where card payment restrictions apply.

Do transfer students or students renewing their visa need to pay the SEVIS fee again?

Students who transfer between SEVP-certified schools while maintaining active F-1 status do not need to pay a new SEVIS fee. Students who leave the US, allow their SEVIS record to become inactive, and then apply for a new F-1 visa to return will need to pay the SEVIS fee again for the new visa application. Students renewing an expired visa while maintaining continuous enrollment typically do not pay again, but this depends on their specific SEVIS record status. Amerigo's visa partner can advise on the specific requirements for each student's situation.

Conclusion

The SEVIS fee is a straightforward but mandatory step in the F-1 visa process. Paying at least three business days before the interview, keeping the confirmation receipt, and working through the step-by-step process once the I-20 is in hand ensures no delays to the visa application timeline.

Need support navigating the F-1 visa process? Contact the Amerigo team or start your child's application today.

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About the Author

This guide was written by the Amerigo Education content team, drawing on program data from staff operating the on-campus international department at 40 Niche A+/A rated US, Canadian, and UK partner schools. Learn more about Amerigo Education.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information for educational purposes only. SEVIS fee amounts and visa requirements are set by the US government and subject to change. Families should verify current requirements at fmjfee.com and through the US embassy in their country. Contact us with questions.