The Office of International Student Services
Visa Application Checklist
Please be sure to prepare all the necessary documents to have a successful visa interview.
• I-20 or DS-2019
• A valid passport
• Visa application form DS-156
• Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-157 (if applicable)
• Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant Form 158
• Visa fee (as required)
• Proof of Payment of SEVIS fee (Information on the SEVIS fee)
• Proof of finances
• Copy of TOEFL/SAT/academic transcripts (suggested- not required)
• Letter of admission from school
SEVIS Fees and Methods of Payment
Applicants for F and J visas are required to pay a SEVIS fee in addition to regular visa application fees. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the data base of the U.S. Federal Government Department of Homeland Security that keeps records on students studying in the U.S. Federal law requires that this database be supported by fees paid by students and exchange visitors. The fee is $200 for F visa applicants, or $180 for J applicants. A full description of the fee and the application procedure can be found at: www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm
You are required to pay the SEVIS fee PRIOR to applying for the F-1 visa. (This is not a school fee or your visa application fee). You must have a paper receipt showing payment of this fee when applying for the visa. Take your receipt to the visa interview. The SEVIS fee cannot be paid at the consulate. Payment can be made by one of the following:
1) by credit card over the internet
2) by Western Union Quick Pay service using local currency
3) by check to a US address.
Payment by credit card via the internet:
(This is the best method – Get a printed receipt instantly)
At least 3 days before your visa interview, go to www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml and choose the button for “Proceed to Form I-901 and Payment” enter all the requested data on Form I-901. You will be requested to enter specific information found on the I-20 enclosed in your packet. Your SEVIS number is on the first page of your I-20, upper right corner, above bar code and starts with “N.” Then click on “Credit Card” and key in the requested data. Click the “submit payment” button. If your credit card is accepted, you will get a screen which you will print as your fee receipt. Take this receipt to your visa interview.
Payment by Western Union “Quick Pay” service:
If using the Western Union system, you must go to www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/ and choose the Payment by Western Union Quick Pay Instructions link. Follow the instructions outlined there precisely. The Western Union receipt serves as your fee receipt for your visa interview.
Payment by check:
If paying by check or over the internet, you will use Form I-901 to pay the fee. You can access and complete this form on-line at the same website: www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml. Choose the button for “Proceed to Form I-901 and Payment” enter all the requested data on Form I-901. It is strongly recommended that you complete the I-901 form ONLINE to eliminate confusion caused by hand writing. You will be requested to enter specific information found on the I-20 enclosed in your packet. Again, your SEVIS number is on the first page of your I-20, upper right corner, above bar code and starts with “N.”
Payment by check or money order: (Drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars)
Complete Form I-901 on-line at www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml, or print and fill out the form to include with your check or money order. Obtain a check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to the “I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee,” and drawn on a U.S. bank. You have the option of paying an additional $30 to have your receipt sent back to you by expedited delivery (courier service) rather than by regular airmail. If you ask for courier service, your check MUST include the additional $30 courier fee. If you use regular mail service for this method it may take several weeks for the receipt of payment to be returned to you.
Mail the I-901 and payment to :
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O. Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020
United States
OR, if sending by courier:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
1005 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
United States
Phone Number: 1-314-418-8833 (United States Country Code 011)
Paper forms are scanned and read by machine. If information is missing or hard to read, the form will be manually reviewed. This could cause a delay in processing your form or could result in the form being returned to you for correction. When using a paper form, print clearly. Your SEVIS ID number, last name (surname or family name) and date of birth must match the information on your Form I-20 exactly.
