The F-1 student visa fees come to at least $535 in required government charges: a $350 SEVIS fee paid to the Department of Homeland Security and a $185 visa application fee paid to the Department of State. A reciprocity fee may add to that total depending on your country of citizenship. None of these payments are refundable if your visa is denied, so it’s worth knowing what each one covers before you send the money.
The $350 SEVIS Fee
Every F-1 applicant must pay $350 for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System before attending a visa interview or entering the United States.1eCFR. 8 CFR 214.13 – SEVIS Fee for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants The money funds the DHS system that tracks international students throughout their studies.
You pay by completing Form I-901 at FMJfee.com. The form asks for your SEVIS ID number (printed on your Form I-20), your name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and the school code on page one of the I-20.2Study in the States. Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee Enter everything exactly as it appears on your passport. Once you pay, print the confirmation directly from the site and keep it with your interview documents; the printable confirmation replaces the mailed I-797C receipt.3U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I-901 SEVIS Fee
How to Pay
Credit card is fastest: you pay online at FMJfee.com and get the confirmation immediately. If online payment isn’t available where you live, Western Union Quick Pay accepts the SEVIS fee in local currency in over 130 countries. To use it, complete the I-901 online first to generate a payment coupon, then take the coupon number to Western Union and list “SEVISFEE” as the company name.4Immigration and Customs Enforcement. SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment by Western Union Quick Pay Instructions
Refunds and Transfers
The SEVIS fee is not refundable if your visa is denied. If you reapply for the same visa type within 12 months of your original payment, you don’t need to pay again.5U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions After 12 months, a new payment is required.
If you switch schools and receive a new I-20 with a different SEVIS ID before your interview, you may be able to transfer your payment instead of paying again. Email FMJfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov with both SEVIS records at least two weeks before your interview.2Study in the States. Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee
The $185 Visa Application Fee
Every F-1 applicant also pays a $185 nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, sometimes called the Machine Readable Visa or MRV fee. It goes to the Department of State, is not refundable if your visa is denied, and cannot be transferred to another person.6U.S. Department of State. Fees for Visa Services
How you pay varies by embassy. You’ll complete the DS-160 online first, then pay through the embassy’s scheduling portal following the instructions for your location. Some posts accept online credit card payment; others require a bank deposit at a designated local institution. Your MRV receipt is valid for one year from the payment date. If you don’t schedule and attend the interview within that window, the payment expires and you pay again. Wait times vary widely between embassies, so schedule as soon as the receipt clears.
Reciprocity Fees for Some Nationalities
Some applicants owe an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee. The United States sets these amounts based on what each country charges American citizens for the equivalent visa, and the charge can run from zero to several hundred dollars depending on your citizenship and the type and duration of the F-1 visa issued.
Check the Department of State’s Reciprocity Table at travel.state.gov with your country of citizenship and visa class. If a fee applies, you typically pay it at the embassy or consulate after your interview is approved, not before.
Fees for F-2 Spouse and Children
Each F-2 dependent (spouse or child under 21) pays the $185 visa application fee separately.6U.S. Department of State. Fees for Visa Services F-2 dependents do not pay the $350 SEVIS fee, since SEVIS tracking applies to the primary student. Reciprocity fees may still apply to each dependent based on nationality.
A student bringing a spouse and one child would pay at least $720 in government fees: $350 (SEVIS) plus $185 (MRV) for the student, and $185 for each dependent. Reciprocity charges would add to that.
Total Government Fees at a Glance
- SEVIS fee (Form I-901): $350, paid to DHS before the interview
- Visa application fee (MRV): $185, paid to the State Department before the interview
- Reciprocity fee: $0 to several hundred dollars depending on nationality, paid at the embassy if applicable
The combined minimum for most single applicants is $535 before any reciprocity charge. These figures don’t include tuition, English proficiency exams, document translation, or travel to the interview, so plan for the full picture rather than the government line items alone.
Work Authorization Fees Come Later
The fees above get you into the country. If you later apply for Optional Practical Training to work in your field after graduation, you’ll file Form I-765 with USCIS. The base filing fee is $470 online or $520 by mail. Premium processing through Form I-907 is optional and costs an additional $1,780 as of March 2026, guaranteeing a response within 30 calendar days.7Penn Global. USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase OPT allows up to 12 months of work authorization, or up to 36 months total for STEM degree holders. Most students file at the standard rate and wait the normal processing time, which can run several months.