SEVIS: Sevis Fee
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Effective September 1, 2004, a fee, mandated by Congress, must be paid prior to VISA issuance. A $100 non-refundable fee is required for all F, M, and most J student exchange visitors. This fee can be paid through the internet at www.FMJfee.com, or through the mail by submitting the completed Form I-901 with a check or money order, drawn on a United States bank and payable in United States currency. All checks and money orders must be made payable to “I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee”. Please be sure to write the name of the student or exchange visitor with his/her SEVIS identification number on the check or money order.

Mail the Form I-901 and payment to:
        I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
        P.O Box 970020
        St. Louis, MO 63197-0020

Or you can courier the Form I-901 and payment to:
        I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
        1005 Convention Plaza
        St. Louis, MO 63101

For F-1, F-2, M-1, and M-3 status only, you will need to submit Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant status) in order to fill out the I-901 Form.

For J-1 status only, you will need to submit Form DS2019 (certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor J-1), which was issued to you by the designated exchange visitor program in which you will participate.

The following groups must pay the $100 fee:
A. An alien in the United States seeking a change of status to F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3.

B. A student or exchange J-1 status visitor who is applying for a change of status from within the United States.

C. A person who is applying to reinstate his/her J-1 status after being out of status for up to 120 days.

D. An F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 status holder applying for reinstatement of student status; or an F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 status holder who had been absent from the United Stated for a period exceeding five months.

For more information, download Sevis Fee Basics (PDF).