Payment of $100 SEVIS fee

As of September 1, 2004, all students intending to enter the United States on an F-1 visa must pay a separate $100 fee to the US Department of Homeland Security.

This $100 SEVIS fee must be paid and fully processed before you arrive to the US consulate or embassy in your country for your student-visa interview.

Purpose of the new fee

The $100 SEVIS fee took effect on September 1, 2004, and is required by the US Congress to help pay for the costs of SEVIS, an automated computer system used by schools, including the Boston Academy of English, to ensure that students remain in status during their stay in the United States.

Note that this $100 SEVIS fee is separate from any visa fees you must pay to have your F-1 visa processed in your home country.

How to pay the $100 SEVIS fee

For official instructions on paying the $100 SEVIS fee, you should refer to the website of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A summary of the instructions is below:

1. Receive I-20
In order to pay the $100 SEVIS fee, you must have received your I-20 from the Boston Academy of English.

You may schedule your student-visa interview as soon as you have received the I-20; however, your $100 SEVIS fee must be paid and processed before the date of your interview.

2. Complete and submit Form I-901.
You must complete a document called Form I-901, using details and personal information listed on your I-20.

You can choose to complete and submit a paper version of I-901, or submit the application online.

Complete and submit Form I-901 online through the website of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

I-901 paper version. Download and print this .pdf file of Form I-901. Complete and mail the form, along with your $100 payment (see payment requirements below), to:

By regular mail or post:

I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O. Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020
United States

By courier, such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL:

I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
1005 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
United States

Telephone: ++ 1-314-418-4393

3. Make $100 payment
There are currently two ways to pay the $100 SEVIS fee.

By credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) or debit card (with Visa or MasterCard logo) when completing Form I-901 online. An online payment is considered the most efficient method for paying the $100 SEVIS fee, as payments are usually processed on the same or following business day.

By check or money order with a coupon printed from the online Form I-901, or with a paper Form I-901 that is submitted by mail.

The check or money order must be an international money order or a check drawn on an institution in the United States. The check or money order must be payable in United States currency, in the amount of US$100.00.

The check/money order must come from one of the following sources:

Banks chartered or operated in the United States
Foreign subsidiaries of United States banks
Foreign banks that have an arrangement with a United States bank to issue a check, money order or foreign draft that is drawn on a United States bank.

The check or money order should be made payable to I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee.

Payment assistance in the United States

It is possible for a friend, relative, or sponsor in the United States to make the $100 SEVIS payment on your behalf.

The person making the payment on your behalf can pay by credit or debit card when completing the Form I-901 online, or submit the payment by check or money order with the paper version of Form I-901. Please refer to the payment instructions and/or submission instructions above.

Please note that the person making the $100 SEVIS fee on your behalf will need a copy of your I-20.

Receipt of payment and student-visa appointment

If you pay your $100 SEVIS fee online, you will be able to print a receipt of your payment immediately. You should keep this receipt and take it to your student-visa appointment at the appropriate consulate or embassy in your country as proof of payment. A second copy of your receipt will also be mailed to you.

If you make your $100 SEVIS fee payment by mail or courier, you will need to wait a minimum of two weeks to receive your receipt.

Student-visa interview

You can schedule your student-visa (F1) interview as soon as you have received your I-20; however, your $100 SEVIS fee must be paid and processed before the date of your appointment.

Questions?

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has created an official list of Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) to help answer your questions about making the $100 SEVIS fee payment.

You can also e-mail Boston Academy of English with your questions: info@bostonacademyofenglish.com