The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires all international students to pay an administrative fee (SEVIS I-901 Fee), prior to applying for their non-immigrant visas before going to the embassy or consulate.  If you are applying to become a student you MUST pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee.

Completing Form I-901 and Making Payment
You will need to complete an I-901 Form with information from your I-20 Form and pay the required fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee is $100 for F-1, F-3, M-1 or M-3 students. If you would like to have your receipt sent by expedited delivery (courier service) rather than by mail, the fee is an additional $30.

You can fill in the Form I-901 on-line here or send a paper version by mail to:

I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O. Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020
United States

By Courier (to expedite delivery to SEVP):
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
1005 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
United States

Payment Options

• You can pay your fee by credit or debit card if you are submitting the form online. If you pay by credit or debit card, you may print out a receipt if you need one immediately and cannot wait to receive one through the mail.  The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) accepts Visa, Master, and American Express credit cards. 
• You can also pay by international money order or by a check drawn on a financial institution in the United States and payable in United States currency.  Checks are accepted subject to collection.  If the bank on which it is drawn does not honor the check, you will be charged a $30 fee.  If you fill in the Form I-901 online and choose to pay by check or money order, you will be able to print a payment coupon.  There is a control number on the top of the coupon.  Write the control number, your name and your SEVIS ID number on your check or money order and attach the coupon.
• You could also make a payment through your local Western Union “Quick Pay” Service.  Western Union will accept the I-910 fee in your local currency and submit this along with your Form I-901 data to SEVIS for processing. The Western Union "Quick Pay" receipt will be accepted as your valid proof-of-payment for a visa interview at the US consulate and for admission at a US port of entry.

Record of Payment
There are two records of payment:

• Electronic payment information kept in the SEVIS I-901 fee payment system.
• A paper receipt: You will get a paper receipt in the mail for all payments.  You can also print a paper receipt immediately if you file online and pay with a credit or debit card.