SEVIS I-901 FEE PAYMENT INFORMATION

What is the I-901 fee?

It is a fee paid to the US government to support the Student and Exchange Visitor Program in DHS.

Who pays the I-901 fee?

New applicants for F-1 student status pay the fee.  Continuing students also pay the fee, but this information sheet is for new students who have been accepted for admission to North Park and who have received an I-20.

Is the I-901 fee the same as a visa fee?

No.  There is a separate, non-refundable fee for anyone who applies for a non-immigrant visa (such as an F-1 visa) to the US.

How much is the I-901 fee?

The fee for F-1 students is $100.

When should I pay the fee?

Please pay the I-901 fee after you receive the I-20 form (it is sent to you with acceptance letter and other documents from the admission department).  You may schedule an appointment at the US Consulate in your country before you pay the fee, but the fee must be paid before the visa interview.  Otherwise the visa will be denied.  NOTE:  You must have an I-20 form before you pay the fee, because you must write your SEVIS ID number (from the I-20 form) on the I-901 form.

How do I fill in the I-901 form and pay the fee?

You can fill in the I-901 form online at the website www.fmjfee.com.  You can pay the fee online by using a credit or debit card.  Use Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards or debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo.  If you use a credit or debit card, be sure to print a receipt if you need a receipt immediately and can’t wait for a receipt to come in the mail.

You can also download and print the I-901 form from the website, fill in the paper form, and send it by mail or by courier to an address in the US.  The paper form must have enclosed with it an international money order or a bank check drawn on a US bank, payable in US currency.  NOTE: You may not use Traveler’s Checks to pay the I-901 fee.  The student’s name and SEVIS ID number must be written on the money order or check.  The money order or check must be made payable to I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee.  Be sure to download and print a payment coupon from the website.  There is a control number on the top of the payment coupon—write the control number of the payment coupon on the money order or check.

Send the I-901 form, the payment coupon, and the money order or check (stapled together) to:   (By mail)            I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee

                                                        P. O. Box 970020

                                                        St. Louis MO 63197-0020

                                                        USA

                            (By courier)        I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee

                                                        1005 Convention Plaza

                                                        St. Louis MO 63101

                                                        USA

If you send by courier, please use this telephone number: 1-314-418-4393.

PLEASE NOTE:  The fastest way to fill in the I-901 form and pay is by filing the form online, paying by credit or debit card, and printing a receipt.  Allow a week for the information you submit to be posted to SEVIS and given to the US Consulates.

I have filled in the I-901 form and filed it online.  I have also paid the fee by credit or debit card.  I have downloaded and printed a receipt for payment.  Now what do I do?

Keep the receipt for payment of the I-901 fee, and bring the receipt with you to the visa interview.  The receipt is an important document (just as the I-20, acceptance letter for studies, and proof of financial ability are important, necessary documents at the visa interview).  You must show the receipt to the consular officer in order to get an F-1 visa.  PLEASE NOTE:  You cannot pay the I-901 fee at the US Consulate.

What can students do to be sure they fill out the I-901 form, pay properly, and get F-1 student visas?

You should make sure to do these things:

• File the I-901 form online (www.fmjfee.com), to be sure the form does not get lost in the mail.
• Be sure the computer you use can access the website and the printer is working.
• Read the I-901 form completely before you start to fill it in.  Be sure you have information for all the spaces to be filled in.
• Be sure that the information on the I-20 form (your name, date of birth, country of birth and country of citizenship) is correct and agrees with information in your passport.  Everything (spelling of names and dates) must be right, and the I-20, I-901 and passport must all show the same information.
• When you enter the information in the I-901 form, check it thoroughly before you submit it, to be sure it is correct and every blank has been filled in.
• Be sure to download and print a receipt for payment, after you enter credit or debit card information to pay the fee.
• Save the receipt in the same place you have passport, I-20 form, and financial documents, so you will bring everything to the visa interview at the US Consulate.

International Student Office         9/04