Paying the SEVIS Fee
F-1 and J-1 students are required to pay a SEVIS fee directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via electronic submission or submission of fee by mail.
DHS must process your SEVIS fee at least three business days prior to your visa interview. You may not pay this fee at the Consulate.
Step by Step:
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Receive and review your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) Form from Emory University.
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Make a visa appointment with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
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Submit your SEVIS fee payment online or via Western Union Quick Pay at least three days prior to your visa interview. If you will pay by mail, allow several weeks for delivery of the receipt OR pay a fee for expedited delivery via DHL.
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Submit the SEVIS fee payment receipt (printed after online submission or received by mail) with other required materials at your visa interview.
Entering the United States if you are not subject to the visa requirement:
Even if you do not require a visa to enter the United States, you are still required to pay the SEVIS fee. The SEVIS fee should be processed at least three business days prior to applying for admission at a U.S. port of entry.
Method of Payment:
You may pay the SEVIS Fee by any of the following methods:
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Online submission of Form I-901 to DHS using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express accepted); paying online allows you to print a receipt instantly.
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Mail in submission of Form I-901 to DHS address on form, along with the SEVIS fee paid by check, money order, or foreign draft drawn on a financial institution in the United States and payable in U.S. currency.
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Western Union Quick Pay, which allows an electronic payment directly to the DHS. Cash payment in local currency may be taken to any Western Union location offering Quick Pay service. Print out the instructions from the website and take them to a Western Union Agent. Request and fill out the blue form. Within minutes, DHS will receive a notification indicating the payment.
DHS will issue and mail an official paper receipt (I-797) acknowledging your payment regardless of payment method. Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt may be requested at an additional cost. If you pay the fee electronically, you will be able to print out an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment. You may use this printout in advance of the mail delivery of the official paper receipt.
Note: DHS will not refund the SEVIS fee if you are not granted a visa or choose not to come to the United States after your visa is granted. The fee is transferrable if you decide to attend another U.S. institution.