SEVIS I-901 Fee Guide for Nigerian F-1 Students
The SEVIS I-901 fee is a required payment for most F-1 students before applying for a U.S. student visa. This guide explains what the fee is, when to pay it, what information you need from your Form I-20, how it connects to the DS-160, and what to check before your F-1 visa interview.
What is the SEVIS I-901 fee?
The SEVIS I-901 fee is a fee paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program system. SEVIS is the system used to maintain records for F, M, and J nonimmigrants. The official I-901 SEVIS fee payment website is FMJFee.com, and official SEVIS information is also available through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
For most Nigerian students applying for an F-1 visa, the SEVIS fee is paid after receiving the Form I-20 and before attending the student visa interview. The SEVIS fee payment confirmation is usually one of the records students keep with their visa documents.
The SEVIS fee is separate from the visa application fee and separate from school tuition. Paying the SEVIS fee does not guarantee visa approval.
Current official amount
As of the current official ICE SEVIS fee table, the full I-901 SEVIS fee for F and M visa applicants is $350. Always verify the amount on the official ICE I-901 SEVIS fee page before paying, because fees and procedures can change.
Who needs to pay the SEVIS fee?
Most students applying for F-1 status need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. Dependents applying for F-2 status generally do not pay a separate I-901 SEVIS fee, according to Study in the States. Always check the official guidance for your specific situation.
Most F-1 students pay the I-901 SEVIS fee using the SEVIS ID on the Form I-20.
F-2 dependents generally do not pay a separate I-901 SEVIS fee.
Different visa categories can have different fee rules, forms, or sponsor requirements.
Important note
This page is written for F-1 student visa preparation. If you are applying for J-1, M-1, F-2, or another category, verify the official rules for your visa category before paying.
When should students pay the SEVIS fee?
Most students pay the SEVIS fee after receiving the Form I-20 and before the visa interview. You need information from the I-20 to complete the I-901 payment correctly.
A practical sequence is:
- Receive admission from a SEVP-certified school.
- Receive your Form I-20.
- Review your I-20 for spelling, school, program, start date, SEVIS ID, and funding information.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee using the correct SEVIS ID.
- Save and print the SEVIS fee confirmation.
- Complete or review your DS-160.
- Prepare for your student visa interview.
Do not rush to pay if the I-20 contains errors. If your name, date of birth, school, program, or SEVIS ID appears incorrect, contact your school’s international student office before moving forward.
SEVIS fee workflow
The SEVIS fee process is straightforward once you receive your Form I-20. This workflow shows the typical sequence from receiving your I-20 to saving the payment confirmation for visa interview preparation. Always verify your SEVIS ID before submitting payment.
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What information do you need before paying?
Before paying the SEVIS fee, gather the documents and information you need. The most important source is your Form I-20.
- SEVIS ID: This usually begins with “N” and appears on your I-20.
- School code: The school’s SEVIS code appears on the I-20.
- School name: Use the school information exactly as shown on the I-20.
- Student name: Match the name on your passport and I-20.
- Date of birth: Check the format and confirm accuracy.
- Visa category: F-1 for academic students.
- Payment method: Use an accepted payment method through the official site.
- Email and printer/PDF access: Save the confirmation immediately after payment.
Helpful check
Before paying, compare your passport, I-20, and DS-160 information. The SEVIS ID on the receipt should match the SEVIS ID on your I-20.
Basic SEVIS fee payment process
The official payment process is handled through FMJFee.com. The website allows applicants to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and later check payment status or print the confirmation.
- Go to the official FMJFee.com website.
- Select the option to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.
- Enter your information exactly as it appears on the I-20.
- Confirm the SEVIS ID, school information, and visa category.
- Complete the payment using an accepted method.
- Save the payment confirmation as a PDF or screenshot.
- Print a copy if possible.
- Keep the confirmation with your visa interview documents.
Security warning
Use only the official payment website. Be careful with agents, social media links, WhatsApp payment instructions, or unofficial websites that look similar. The official website is FMJFee.com.
SEVIS fee receipt and confirmation
After payment, keep your I-901 SEVIS fee confirmation safe. You may need proof of payment for your visa interview. FMJFee.com also allows applicants to check payment status and print the payment confirmation.
What to check on the receipt
- Student name
- SEVIS ID
- Fee payment status
- Visa category
- School information, if shown
- Payment date
If the confirmation has the wrong SEVIS ID or wrong student information, do not ignore it. Review the official FMJFee help resources and contact your school’s international student office or official SEVIS fee support if needed.
Document tip
Keep the SEVIS receipt with your passport, I-20, DS-160 confirmation page, appointment confirmation, admission letter, and financial documents.
SEVIS receipt checklist
After paying the I-901 SEVIS fee, carefully review your payment confirmation. Small errors in your name, SEVIS ID, or visa category can create problems later in the visa process. This checklist highlights the key items students should verify immediately after payment.
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Common SEVIS fee mistakes to avoid
- Paying before reviewing the I-20: Check name, date of birth, school, program, and SEVIS ID first.
- Entering the wrong SEVIS ID: The SEVIS ID on the payment should match the I-20.
- Using unofficial payment links: Use the official FMJFee.com website.
- Confusing SEVIS fee with visa fee: These are separate payments.
- Forgetting to save the receipt: Save a PDF, take a screenshot, and print a copy if possible.
- Using another student’s information: The payment must match your own SEVIS record.
- Ignoring a new I-20 or changed SEVIS ID: If your school issues a new I-20, check whether the SEVIS ID changed.
- Waiting until the last minute: Payment issues can cause stress before the interview.
Practical standard
The strongest approach is simple: verify the I-20 first, pay through the official site, save the receipt, and keep every document consistent.
Transfers, deferrals, and new I-20s
Students sometimes receive a new I-20 because of a school transfer, deferral, correction, program change, or updated start date. The important question is whether the SEVIS ID has changed.
- Same SEVIS ID: In some cases, the payment may remain connected to the same SEVIS record.
- New SEVIS ID: A new SEVIS ID may require additional review or a new payment depending on the situation.
- School transfer: Transfer situations can be more specific, especially if timing or visa status is involved.
- Program deferral: If the school updates the start date, confirm whether your SEVIS record and receipt are still aligned.
Do not guess in transfer or deferral situations. Ask your school’s DSO or international student office and check official SEVIS fee guidance.
Important warning
If your I-20 changes, compare the SEVIS ID on the new I-20 with the SEVIS ID on your payment confirmation. A mismatch can create confusion during visa processing.
Official sources to verify
SEVIS fee rules, amounts, and payment procedures can change. Always verify current information through official U.S. government sources before paying.
- FMJFee.com — official SEVIS I-901 fee payment website
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — I-901 SEVIS Fee
- ICE — I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions
- Study in the States — Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee
- FMJFee.com — check I-901 payment status
Important note
This page provides general educational information only. It does not provide legal advice, immigration advice, payment troubleshooting, or individualized case guidance.