I-901 SEVIS Fee for J-1 Visa: Amount, Payment, and Exemptions

The I-901 SEVIS fee is a mandatory payment that funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System — the database the US government uses to track international students and exchange visitors. For J-1 applicants, this fee must be paid before your consular interview and before your visa is issued. Missing this step stalls your entire application.

Current Fee Amounts (FY 2026)

The fee amount depends on your J-1 category:

The reduced $35 fee applies specifically to Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Summer Work Travel categories. All other J-1 categories pay $220.

J-2 dependents (spouses and children) do not pay a separate SEVIS fee. The principal J-1 holder's payment covers derivative J-2 status holders.

Government-Sponsored Participants: Full Exemption

If your J-1 program is fully funded by a US government agency, you may be exempt from the SEVIS fee entirely. Government-sponsored programs are identified by a "G" in the SEVIS ID number on your DS-2019. Common government-sponsored programs include Fulbright grants (administered by IIE or CIES) and programs funded by agencies like USAID, the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, or other US federal departments.

If your SEVIS ID begins with "G," you do not pay the I-901 fee. Check your DS-2019 carefully — if your sponsor incorrectly issued you a non-G SEVIS ID when you should have a G designation, contact your sponsor to correct this before paying.

How to Pay

Payment is made at FMJfee.com (the official I-901 payment portal). You will need:

• Your SEVIS ID number (from your DS-2019, formatted as N followed by 10 digits)
• Your last name and date of birth as listed on the DS-2019
• A credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) or electronic check (US bank accounts only)

International credit cards are accepted. There is no official fee to pay with a card, though your card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee.

After payment, you receive a confirmation page and a payment receipt. Download and save this receipt immediately. You will need to present it at your consular interview, and you may need it again when entering the US or dealing with SEVIS issues.

When to Pay

Pay the SEVIS fee after you receive your DS-2019 from your sponsor. You cannot pay before a SEVIS record exists. Pay at least a few business days before your consular interview — the payment records need time to register in the consulate's system.

If you are renewing a J-1 visa for a new program period (not an extension of your existing program), you may need to pay the SEVIS fee again. If you are extending within the same program — meaning your sponsor extends your existing DS-2019 without creating a new SEVIS record — you do not pay again.

What Happens If You Pay the Wrong Amount

If you paid $220 but are in the Au Pair category (and should have paid $35), or vice versa, contact the SEVIS help desk before your interview. Overpayments are not automatically refunded, but incorrect payments can be corrected through the SEVIS support system.

Lost or Misplaced Receipt

If you lose your I-901 receipt, you can reprint it from the FMJfee.com portal using your SEVIS ID, last name, and date of birth. Keep the receipt saved in at least two places — email it to yourself, and save a PDF copy.

The Social Security Number Question

Many J-1 participants ask about getting a Social Security Number. If your J-1 category authorizes you to work (which most do within program-authorized scope), you are eligible to apply for an SSN.

To apply, you need: your DS-2019, your J-1 visa, your passport, and evidence of your work authorization (which for J-1s is often your DS-2019 and the work authorization letter from your sponsor). Apply at a Social Security Administration office in person — you generally cannot apply online.

Some sponsors provide a work authorization letter that you must bring. Wait at least 10 days after arriving in the US before applying, as SSA systems need time to sync with the SEVIS database and confirm your status.

J-2 spouses who have received an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) can also apply for an SSN after their EAD is approved.

After You Pay

Once you have paid the I-901 fee, you can proceed to:

1. Complete Form DS-160 (the nonimmigrant visa application)
2. Schedule your consular interview
3. Bring your I-901 receipt, DS-2019, and DS-160 confirmation to the interview

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Guide walks through the full pre-arrival checklist — including the SEVIS fee payment, DS-160 completion, consular interview preparation, and what to verify on your DS-2019 before you apply.