Posted: Posted Date – 12:45 AM, Sun – 6 Nov 22
Be prepared to present your payment receipt at your visa interview as proof of payment of your I-901 SEVIS fee.
Hello readers! In last week’s column, we discussed biometrics and visa appointments and what to bring. Today we will be discussing SEVIS fees.
Some important acronyms to know are:
• SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System): a platform that manages information on foreign/exchange students – and their dependents – before and during their stay in the United States.
• SEVIP (the Student Visitor and Exchange Program) administers SEVIS
• ICE (the Office of Immigration and Customs): the office under which SEVIS is placed.
Every international student wishing to pursue higher education in the United States must pay the SEVIS fee prior to their visa interview. Students must be sure that the payment has been processed and appears in SEVIS so that the consular officer administering the interview can see that the student’s payment has been confirmed.
The SEVIS membership fee can be paid online at http://www.fmjfee.com/, the only official website to collect SEVIS fee payments. If the student is traveling with a spouse or child, no separate SEVIS fee is required.
Here are some other key points about SEVIS fees:
• Do not pay the SEVIS fee until you receive Forms I-20 or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa applicants)
• Always pay the SEVIS fee well in advance of your visa interview to ensure payment has been processed
– If electronic payment: At least 3 working days before the date of the interview
– In case of physical payment (by mail): At least 15 days before the date of the interview
• Be prepared to present your payment receipt at your visa interview as proof of payment of your SEVIS I-901 fee.
SEVIS prices:
• For F and M international students: $350
• For certain categories of J visa: 200 USD
For more information on SEVIS fees, visit: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/index.htm.
This concludes our discussion on “Step 4: Apply for your student visa” Next week we will move on to “Step 5: Prepare for your departure”.
If students have specific questions, they can write to support-india@ustraveldocs.com. Follow the U.S. Embassy in India’s Twitter and Facebook account (https://twitter.com/usandindia?lang=fr and https://www.facebook.com/India.usembassy/) for updates.
Appointment availability can be found on our website: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en. Visa FAQs: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/top-10-frequently-asked-questions/
– Consulate General of the United States in Hyderabad
