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International Students

SEVIS I-901 Fee Frequently Asked Questions

Return to I-901 FAQ

5. Receipt and payment verification related questions

5.A Why do I need a receipt?

The federal statute relating to SEVIS, (8 USC ยง1372 (e)(5), requires that a student or exchange visitor present proof of payment before being granted a visa or admission.

The SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt, along with the electronic record in SEVIS and the I-901 payment system, serve as proof of payment. In most cases, people who need to verify that you have paid can do so electronically.

However, SEVP recommends that you retain a copy of your receipt. Having the receipt will make it easier to prove you have paid. There are cases where your current SEVIS ID number may be different from the number you paid on.

The receipt is also useful when you go to a visa interview or, if you are visa-exempt, apply for F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3 or J-1 status at the POE. The receipt is also your assurance that your payment and fee information were properly processed and posted.

5.B. What do I need to take to the embassy or consulate to prove I paid my SEVIS I-901 fee?

We highly recommend bringing your SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While the embassy or consulate should be able to electronically verify your payment, having the receipt on hand proves that the payment was processed correctly and speeds the verification process.

If you paid the SEVIS I-901 fee using a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from a different school or exchange visitor program than the one you will attend, bring the Form I-20 or DS-2019 you used when paying the fee, in addition to the form for the school or program you will actually be attending. If there is no fee differential, the SEVIS I-901 fee you paid will be accepted. See the Fee Amount Chart for information on the amount of the fees.

5.C. When do I need a receipt?

Only those who are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee will need a receipt. See the section, Do I pay the fee?, to determine if you need to pay the fee.

If you are required to pay the fee, you need to do so before your visa interview or filing an application for reinstatement, change of status, etc.

Keep your receipts along with other records pertaining to your nonimmigrant status. It will help to have a copy when:

  • Applying for subsequent visas while continuing at the same school or exchange visitor program
  • Applying for any work-related benefits
  • Entering the United States
  • Filing a petition or application with CIS

For more information, see the section explaining why you need a receipt.

5.D. How long will it take for me to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and get a receipt?

The length of time it takes to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and get a receipt depends on how long it takes for:

  • You to get your Form I-901 information and payment to SEVP
  • SEVP to process the payment
  • SEVP to deliver the receipt to the address you provided

There are three ways to get the Form I-901 information to SEVP: the Internet, the mail or courier.

  • The Internet is fastest. It also speeds the processing step because the online form uses data validation rules to minimize the chances for error. If you file your Form I-901 online and pay with a credit or debit card, you can print a receipt immediately. You will also receive a receipt printed on a Form I-797 in the mail.
  • Mail service varies throughout the world, we suggest allowing at least 2 weeks for delivery.
  • Courier services offer expedited delivery, but generally cost more than using the mail.

Much of the time involved depends on the mail. If you use regular mail, we suggest allowing at least two weeks for your payment to reach SEVP and two weeks for the receipt to be returned to you. If courier service is available, you can decrease this time by sending your payment by courier. You also have the option of paying $35 for expedited delivery of your receipt. See the section on How long does expedited delivery take?

Forms and payments received by 10 am are processed that day. Those received after 10 am are processed the following business day. In general, payment information is posted to the SEVIS and State Department systems within three working days.

However, there are some issues that can delay processing or cause SEVP to return your payment. See the section, How do I avoid problems paying the fee?, for tips on how to avoid payment and processing delays.

SEVP sends a printed receipt for every payment, regardless of how the payment is made. If you file on the Internet and pay by credit or debit card, you will also be able to print a receipt for immediate use.

Receipts are sent within one business day of successfully processing your Form I-901 and payment. The receipt is sent by mail unless you chose to pay the $35 fee for expedited delivery.

Allow at least two weeks for return delivery by mail. If you select expedited delivery, in most cases you will receive your receipt within 6 working days from the day SEVP receives your Form I-901 and payment. See the section, How long does expedited delivery take?, for more information.

5.D.1. How do I ensure the payment is made in time for me to go to the visa interview at the consulate?

You are allowed to make an appointment for an interview before you have a receipt for your SEVIS I-901 fee payment. However, you need to ensure that there is a record of your payment before you go to your interview. There are two types of records for fee payments: electronic and paper. The electronic records are kept in three systems: SEVIS I-901 fee Payment System, SEVIS and the DOS consular database.

A paper receipt offers you the best assurance that an electronic record of your payment exists. We recommend bringing a paper receipt to your interview. However if you have not received one, a consular officer should be able to verify your payment information if it is in the SEVIS or DOS databases.

A customer service representative (1-212-620-3418) can check the electronic records and verify that your payment has been posted. However, SEVP asks that you allow at least two weeks if you mail in your payment and at least one week if you send your application by courier, before checking on the status of your payment.

5.D.2. Does the time from payment to receipt vary according to how the payment is made?

Yes. See the section on how long it takes to get a receipt for more information.

5.D.3. What is the fastest way to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee?

Using the Internet to fill in the Form I-901 at www.fmjfee.com and paying by credit card is the fastest way to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. You can print a receipt immediately.

5.D.4. Does it take longer to get a receipt if I pay by check instead of by credit or debit card?

Yes. Because credit or debit card payments are made in conjunction with online filing, you can print a receipt immediately. With payment by check or money order, you must allow for the time needed to mail the payment and receive the receipt by return mail.

5.D.5. How long does expedited delivery take?

In most cases, you will receive an expedited delivery within 3 days. However, this does vary by country and how far you live from a major transportation center. Holidays, weekends and crossing the international dateline will also impact the delivery date. Currently, DHL is the courier SEVP uses for expedited delivery of receipts. The DHL website at http://www.dhl-usa.com/TransitTimes/IntlTTime.asp can give you the estimated delivery time for your country.

5.D.6. Is expedited delivery available to all countries?

No, there are some countries where DHL does not deliver. If you use the online Form I-901 at www.fmjfee.com, it will not accept input for a country where DHL does not deliver. You can also check the DHL website at www.dhl.com for countries of delivery.

If you pay for expedited delivery to a country where it is not available, your receipt will be sent through the regular mail system. You may then apply for a refund of the expedited delivery charge.

See the section on processing time for receipts for more information.

5.E. What if I need another copy of my receipt?

To have SEVP send you another copy of your receipt, call the Customer Service hotline. If you do not have access to the hotline, you can also e-mail or write SEVP. Put Copy of Receipt in the subject line and include your SEVIS ID number, your original receipt number (if available), your full name and date of birth. Include the address where you would like to have the receipt sent.

See the section on sources of help for the hotline phone number and the addresses for SEVP.

5.E.1. Can a reprinted receipt be sent to a different address than the original receipt?

Yes. See the directions in the question, What if I need another copy of my receipt?

5.E.2. Can I reprint my electronic receipt?

No. You will not be able to return to the receipt page. Be sure your printer is ready before starting the online payment process. Do not exit the receipt page until you have successfully printed the receipt.

5.E.3. Will I get a receipt if my exchange visitor program sponsor pays for me?

You should get a copy of the receipt from your sponsor. If you do not receive a copy, contact your exchange visitor program sponsor directly. You may also contact SEVP for a copy of the receipt. See the directions in the question, What if I need another copy of my receipt?

5.E.4. Is there a charge for sending a copy of my receipt?

No. There is no charge for sending a copy of your receipt.

5.E.5. If I request a copy of my receipt, how soon will I receive it?

All copies of receipts are sent by mail. You cannot get expedited delivery for copies of receipts. In most cases, it takes about 2 weeks to receive a receipt through the mail. Allow more time if your local mail circumstances warrant.

5.E.6. Can receipts be e-mailed or faxed?

No. We do not e-mail or fax receipts.

5.F. What do I do if I do not get my receipt?

If you do not get a receipt within a reasonable amount of time (see the section on how long it takes to get a receipt), contact customer service to determine the status of your payment.

See the section on sources of help for the hotline phone number and the addresses for SEVP.

5.G. What happens if my receipt does not arrive and I need it for my visa interview or to enter the United States?

If you do not have a receipt in time for your interview or to apply for entry at the POE if you are visa exempt, it is possible for the consulates and the Ports of Entry to electronically verify your payment. See the section on sources of help for the hotline phone number and the addresses for SEVP. You can call, e-mail or send a letter to find out if your payment was received. If it was, you can go for your interview if you need a visa or to the POE if you are visa exempt.

If your payment was not received, it could be that it was delayed in transit. In this case, you may wish to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online at www.fmjfee.com, pay by credit or debit card and print a receipt for immediate use. If both payments are processed, you can apply to have one refunded.

5.G.1. When can I go to the consulate?

Most consulates require appointments for visa interviews. You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before appearing for your interview. However, you can make an appointment for an interview before you receive your receipt. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the fee payment to be processed before your interview date. See the section on how long it takes to get a receipt.

5.G.2. When can I file my application for change of status?

You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before filing your application for change of status. While CIS will be able to electronically verify your payment, we recommend that you send a copy of the receipt for your SEVIS I-901 fee payment with your application. Therefore, it is best to file your application for change of status after you have a SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.

5.G.3. When can I file my reinstatement?

See the section, Do I pay the fee?, to determine if you need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. If you do, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before filing your application. Due to the time constraints for filing, SEVP recommends that you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online at www.fmjfee.com, pay with a credit or debit card and print a receipt immediately. You may wish to send a copy of your receipt with your application.

5.H. If I have presented the SEVIS I-901 fee receipt when I apply for my visa, do I need to present the receipt at the POE?

In most cases, if you have a visa, you will not be asked to show your SEVIS I-901 fee receipt at the POE. However, we recommend that you hand carry your receipt in case the inspector has questions.

5.I. Payment/Receipt Problems

5.I.1. What happens if my check does not clear the bank?

If your check does not clear the bank, the check will be sent to the DHS Debt Management Center. The Debt Management Center will send you (or the person who wrote the check) instructions for clearing the debt. There will be a penalty charge of $30.

Do not pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again. Clear your debt through the Debt Management Center. Their phone number is (802) 288-7600. You will be allowed to go to your visa interview or, if visa exempt, apply for entry at the POE before clearing your debt.

While nonpayment of the SEVIS I-901 fee is not a basis for removal in itself, you may be denied benefits later that are needed to maintain status, such as an extension, and then you may be subject to removal.

Call the Customer Service hotline for assistance or send an e-mail or letter with Returned Payment in the subject line if you need additional assistance. See the section on sources of help for the phone number and addresses.

5.I.2. What do I do if my payment and Form I-901 are returned to me?

If your payment and Form I-901 are returned, make the corrections noted. Send in a corrected Form I-901 with the appropriate fee.

5.J. Retaining the Receipt

5.J.1. Will I need my SEVIS I-901 fee receipt after I have my visa?

Yes. You may need the receipt to show that you paid the fee.

5.J.2. How long should I keep my SEVIS I-901 fee receipt?

Keep your SEVIS I-901 fee receipt until you complete your exchange visitor program (J-1) or receive your final degree (F-1, F-3, M-1 or M-3).

5.J.3. Will the consulate keep my original receipt?

No. Your receipt will be used only to verify SEVIS I-901 fee payment.


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