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.
Fees and procedures can change. The amounts and steps below are for guidance only — always confirm the current SEVIS fee and process on the official ICE and Study in the States websites before paying.
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
Pro Counsellor Tip
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Pay the SEVIS fee as soon as you have your I-20 and have scheduled (or are about to schedule) your interview — not the night before. Allow a few days for the payment to register in the system, and you remove any risk of it not showing up when the consulate checks.
"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.
Preparing your US student visa?
We'll make sure your SEVIS fee, DS-160, MRV fee, and document checklist are all in order — and prep you for the F-1 interview so nothing trips you up on the day.
Get F-1 Visa HelpQuick 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.
Written by
Lanka Scholar Editorial
Lanka Scholar Editorial is the Lanka Scholar counsellor team — senior advisors who place Sri Lankan students into universities across 18 destinations. Articles are reviewed before publication and refreshed when fees, deadlines, or visa rules change.
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