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International students applying for an F-1 status are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. Please do so prior to visiting the U.S. Embassy.

Go to . It is extremely helpful to watch the updated tutorial.  This tutorial guides you through each step of the required I-901 SEVIS Fee payment process, highlighting the information you must input and what you must do once you have completed payment. The tutorial also clarifies instructions for making payments through the Western Union payment process.

Important reminders highlighted in the tutorial:

• Regulation requires all prospective F students to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues them a visa to study in the United States.
• The I-901 SEVIS Fee is different from the fees for visa services issued by the Department of State.
• F students must pay their I-901 SEVIS Fee to study in the United States, to remain compliant, and to maintain their student status.
• F students must print their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt to present as proof of payment at their visa interview and to enter the United States at a U.S. port of entry. Showing an email notification alone will not be sufficient.
• The SEVIS ID on the payment confirmation receipt must always match the SEVIS ID on the student’s most current Form I-20 unless the F student is considered a border commuter student. If the SEVIS ID is different, please email sevis@ice.dhs.gov to confirm if a new I‑901 Fee payment is required.

REMEMBER: When you Access Form I-901, you must have an I-20 from É«ÀÇÉçÇø to complete this form. Be sure that you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on the I-20. To complete the form I-901, you must enter the É«ÀÇÉçÇø School code that appears on your Form I-20. This code begins with “NEW214.” You must also enter your SEVIS ID number, which is printed on the top left-hand side of the I-20. It starts with the letter “N”.

You must submit a completed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application:  for all nonimmigrant visa categories. Read Carefully complete details about student visas. You should have your passport and SEVIS ID numbers available while completing the DS-160. All answers must be in English, using English characters only, except for providing your full name in your native alphabet. If you submit your application in any language other than English, it will be denied, and you may be required to submit a new application. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions for further details.

After you have completed the DS-160, you will need to print and keep the DS-160 barcode page.

Apply for your visa as soon as possible! Please schedule an appointment at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country to obtain your F-1 student visa.

Please read the information about nonimmigrant visa application fees. Applicants must pay these fees as directed before their visa interview, and they must bring the receipt to their interview. Read through all information provided by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that you will be visiting before your interview.

What to bring to your embassy appointment:

• Acceptance Letter
• Supporting Financial Documentation
• I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Signed I-20
• A valid Passport
• DS-160 Confirmation Page
• Photo

Be sure to present the original documents, not copies. 

Additional documentation may be also required. Your academic preparation, such as:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
• Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study;
• How you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs.

To better prepare for your visa interview, please read through the “” prepared by NAFSA.