SEVIS Payment Guide: Challenges & Mistakes to Avoid

What Is SEVIS and Why It Matters?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a mandatory U.S. government payment for international students and exchange students (for F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa holders) who want to study in the United States. You cannot attend a U.S visa interview without paying the SEVIS I-901 fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

How much is SEVIS?

The SEVIS fee is currently $350 for F-1 and M-1 visa applicants and $220 for most J-1 visa applicants.

While the payment might look straightforward, many countries find it challenging to make it.  We have seen students who missed their visa interview appointments or deferred admissions because they couldn't pay this fee.

Key Points:

1. Who pays it? F-1, J-1, and M-1 visa applicants.
2. Proof of payment: You’ll receive an I-901 receipt, which you must present at your visa interview.

Challenges Applicants Face with SEVIS Payments

Some applicants often struggle to pay the SEVIS fee, due to either financial barriers in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and others, or technical glitches. Here are some of these problems:

Confusion Over SEVIS ID and Receipt

A visa interview might be hard to grab, if you misplace your 1-90 receipt or forget your SEVIS ID. It might take you weeks to make headway towards a visa approval if you end up entering a wrong SEVIS ID during your payment.

Tips:

• Double-check your SEVIS ID on your I-20 before payment.
• Save and print multiple copies of your I-901 receipt immediately after payment.
• Contact DHS at [email protected] if you encounter errors.

Technical Issues with the FMJfee Website

When the FMJfee website suffers from slow loading times or browser compatibility, paying for your SEVIS fee would take longer. For instance, during downtime of FMJfee website, applicants experience interview scheduling delay.

Tips:

• Clear the browser cache and cookies before starting.
• Use a stable internet connection and modern browsers like Chrome or Firefox.
• Avoid peak times when the website may be overloaded.

Payment Method Limitations

Many African countries cannot use specific payment methods like check, credit/debit card, or Western Union to pay for their SEVIS fees. The payment limitation has forced many students to use friends and loved ones in the USA or Canada in paying this fee. However, many applicants have lost their funds due to dubious agents or people, who promise to make such payments for them..

Tips:

• Use the Pay4Me App to process your SEVIS payment in local currency.

Common Mistakes Applicants Make

• Paying the Wrong Fee Amount: Some applicants pay the J-1 fee ($220) instead of the F-1 fee ($350) or vice versa. You have to verify your visa type (F-1, J-1, or M-1) on your I-20 or DS-2019 form before paying.
• Paying Too Late: You might lose your visa appointment if you wait until the last minute to pay, not accounting for the three-day processing period before the visa interview.
• Mistake: Chika used a friend in the U.S. to pay her SEVIS fee. The friend made the payment 48 hours before her interview, but the SEVIS confirmation didn’t arrive on time.
• Outcome: Chika had to reschedule her interview, but no more slots were available before her school's reporting deadline. She had to defer her admission by a semester.
• Using Incorrect Payment Methods: If you try paying with unsupported methods like PayPal or non-trusted agents can result in losing your funds. We recommend using approved payment platforms like Pay4Me.
• Not Verifying Payment Status: You must confirm your SEVIS payment status with the receipt.

Table: Common SEVIS Payment Mistakes and Fixes

How to Optimize Your SEVIS Payment Process

1. Prepare Your Documents: You must have passport details and your I-20 or DS-2019 form ready with your SEVIS ID.
2. Use the Official Website: Register with fmjfee.com and create your coupon..
3. Choose the Right Payment Method: You can make your payment with the Pay4Me App within ten minutes in your local currency.
4. Save and Verify Your Receipt: Ensure no mistake was made during the filling of the 1-90 form, including the fee amount and other details.
5. Plan: You have to pay early to account for processing delays or technical issues. Finally, schedule your visa interview only after receiving the receipt.

How to Make Your SEVIS Payment In Nigeria

 Step-by-Step Process:

1. Get your I-20 or DS-2019 Form from your U.S. institution.
2. Go to the official I-901 payment website:
3. https://fmjfee.com and register to get your coupon.
4. Download the Pay4Me App
5. Register
6. Pay the SEVIS fee
7. Get instant payment confirmation

Download and print the confirmation required for your U.S. visa interview.

Conclusion

Paying the SEVIS fee is a critical step in your U.S. visa application, but it’s fraught with challenges like technical glitches, payment restrictions, and user errors. By avoiding common mistakes, you can navigate the process with confidence. Use the Pay4Me App  to ensure your payment is processed smoothly.