You will need to pay the SEVIS fee if you have been issued an I-20 or DS-2019 form AND one of the following conditions applies:

1. You are seeking an F-1 or J-1 student visa from a United States Embassy or Consulate to begin a new program of study. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid before visa issuance.
2. You hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, but have been absent from the U.S. for a period of more than five months (not working on your studies during this time with the prior approval of your school or returning from a leave of absence), and will re-enter the U.S. with a new “Initial Attendance” or “Begin a new program” document. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid before re-entry to the U.S.
3. As a citizen of Canada, or certain adjacent islands, you are exempt from the visa requirement and will apply for admission at a port of entry to begin your studies at a U.S. school. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid before application for entry at the U.S. border.
4. You are a non-immigrant holding another status in the U.S., and you will apply for a change of status or reinstatement through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). In this case, you will need to pay the fee before submitting the change of status application to the USCIS.

Note: F-2 and J-2 visa holders (the spouse and dependents of the F-1 and J-1 students) are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.

The following are exempt from paying the SEVIS fee:

• Most current, continuing F-1 and J-1 students including those transferring from another school in the U.S. (unless the student has failed to maintain F-1 or J-1 status)
• F-2 or J-2 dependents (spouse and/or children) of the F-1 or J-1 student
• J-1 exchange visitors participating in federally-sponsored programs (G-1, G-2, or G-3)

Fee amounts may be found on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. 

Before paying the fee, be sure that you have a current, valid I-20 or DS-2019 from the school you plan to attend. The SEVIS fee is separate from the visa application or fees payable to USCIS from an application to request a change of status. 

The fee can be paid online or by mail, and can be paid for by you, a third party (such as a friend or family member), or other interested party. If someone pays the fee for you, they will need the information from your I-20 or DS-2019 to complete the fee payment form. 

Instructions for Paying Online: 

1. Access Form I-901 at www.fmjfee.com
2. Complete the form online and supply the necessary credit card information.
3. Using the Form I-20 or DS-2019, enter your name exactly as it appears on the document (which should match the name as it appears in your passport) and use the SEVIS Number from the upper right hand corner.
4. F School Code = PHI214F10187000 (Pittsburgh) and J Program number = P-1-00292.
5. Print a copy of the online receipt and keep it with other important immigration documents.

If you pay the SEVIS fee online, your payment is processed at the time you make payment and you can print or save a digital receipt directly from your computer. This computer-generated receipt can be used to verify you have paid the fee at an Embassy, Consular post, or port of entry.

A paper receipt is not required in order for you to be issued a visa, be admitted at the port of entry, or apply for a change of status or reinstatement. Embassies and Consular posts, ports of entry and USCIS offices should be able to verify your fee payment without a receipt in most circumstances. However, OIE recommends that you carry a copy with you when you travel or submit a copy with any application (visa, change of status, reinstatement).

SEVIS fee payments must be submitted at least 3 business days in advance of the interview if you will rely on electronic fee verification at the Consulate (or at the port of entry, if exempt from the visa requirement).

I applied to more than one school, and have more than one Form I-20. What if I paid the SEVIS fee for one school and then I change my mind? Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?

Yes. There is a formal application procedure. Follow the instructions on the ICE website.

Is the SEVIS fee refundable if I am denied a visa, change of status or reinstatement?

No. Once paid, the SEVIS fee is non-refundable (unless paid by mistake) even if your visa application is denied or, subsequent to issuance of the visa, you choose not to come to the U.S. If you applied for an F-1 or J-1 visa and paid the SEVIS fee within the past 12 months, but were denied a visa, you do not pay the SEVIS fee again if you re-apply for the same kind of program within 12 months of the visa denial.

Visit the ICE website for additional FAQs.