It’s a small, easily-overlooked step that sits right in the middle of your US visa journey — and forgetting it can stall your interview. The I-901 SEVIS fee is mandatory for F-1 students, and you must pay it before the consulate will issue your visa. Here’s everything you need to know in five minutes.

What the SEVIS fee is

SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System — the US database that tracks international students. The I-901 SEVIS fee funds it, and paying it is a legal requirement before you can be issued an F-1 visa. It’s separate from, and in addition to, the visa application (MRV) fee you pay for the interview itself.

How much, and when

• check_circle Amount: USD 350 for F-1 students (about LKR 112,000) — confirm the current figure before paying
• check_circle When: you must pay it before the consulate issues your visa — in practice, pay it well before your interview
• check_circle You need your I-20 first: the fee is tied to the SEVIS ID printed on the Form I-20 your university issues you

How to pay, step by step

• check_circle Have your Form I-20 in hand (you need the SEVIS ID number on it)
• check_circle Go to the official site, FMJfee.com, and complete the Form I-901
• check_circle Enter your details exactly as they appear on your I-20 — name, date of birth, SEVIS ID
• check_circle Pay in US dollars (credit/debit card is the usual route for Sri Lankan applicants; other methods exist)
• check_circle Print the payment receipt

Don’t forget the receipt at your interview

The printed I-901 receipt is one of your core interview documents, alongside your passport, I-20, DS-160 confirmation, MRV fee receipt, and financial papers. Keep a printed copy (and a digital one on your phone) so you can show proof of payment without scrambling.

Quick clarifications

A few things students ask: the SEVIS fee is non-refundable in most cases, it’s generally paid once per SEVIS record (re-applications within the same record may not require repayment — check the rules), and it is not the same as your visa fee or your tuition. Treat it as its own line item in your US budget.

The bottom line

The I-901 SEVIS fee is a mandatory USD 350 step for F-1 students: pay it on FMJfee.com once you have your I-20, allow a few days for it to register, and bring the printed receipt to your interview. It’s simple — as long as you don’t leave it to the last minute.

Next steps

If you’ve received your I-20, bring it to us and we’ll walk you through the SEVIS fee, the DS-160, and the full interview document set so your F-1 application is airtight. Our USA student visa guide lays out where the SEVIS fee falls in the overall F-1 timeline.