If you are applying for student visa, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee directly to the US immigration. Updated 10/01/2006
Q: What is SEVIS I-901 fee ?
A: The SEVIS I-901 fee is the fee that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collects to cover the costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). International students who are applying for student (F-1) visa are subject to this fee. The collected fee will be used to administer and maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), support compliance activities, and establish SEVIS Liaison Officers to provide information and assistance to students and schools.
The payment of SEVIS I-901 fee will be recorded and tracked in SEVIS, the automated system for collecting, maintaining, and managing information about nonimmigrant student and exchange visitors in the United States .
Q: How much is the SEVIS I-901 fee ?
A: $200 per F-1 visa applicant (student only).
Q: When do I pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ?
A: You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee after you receive your I-20 from our school and at least 5 business days before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for your visa interview.
Q: How do I pay the SEVIS I-901 fee?
A: The fastest and most convenient method to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee is to use credit card and pay through the online form at www.FMJfee.com.
You can also pay the SEVIS I-901 fee through the mail* by sending a completed Form I-901 and a cashier's check or international money order to the US immigration:
By Mail:
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
Phone Number: 1-314-418-8833 (United States Country Code 011)
* We do not recommend this method because it may delay your visa application.
Q: What information do I need to fill out the SEVIS form I-901?
A: You only need information from your I-20 plus your personal information such as date of birth, and address. We will also send more information about the SEVIS I-901 fee with your I-20.
Q: How do I apply for a student visa?
A: Generally, embassy requires that you submit a valid passport, valid I-20 issued by a U.S. school, and financial support documents when you apply student visa. However, Cal America strongly suggests that you contact your local American embassy or consulate immediately for further details or updated information. Keep in mind that processing time varies by countries so you should plan ahead and allow plenty of time.
Q: Am I qualified to apply for F-1 visa if I choose your school?
A: Of course, you can submit I-20 issued by Cal America to American embassy to obtain F-1 student visa. Cal America is authorized by the United States to issue I-20 and accept foreign student to study for as long as student will be taking a full-time program (more than 18 hours per week).
Q: How do I get an I-20?
A: You must apply to Cal America. If you are qualified, we will process your application and send I-20 to you.
Q: How do I apply to Cal America?
A: You can apply to Cal America by sending application form to Cal America. You can use our online application form to submit your application -OR- you can print our application form from our web site, complete it and send it to us.
Q: What else do I have to send to Cal America when I apply?
A: Besides a completed application form (not necessary if you apply online), you must send financial support documents and pay $100 Application fee, $200 tuition deposit, $50 express mailing fee. If you require, you must also send other service fee.
Q: When will Cal America process my application?
A: In order to process your application, Cal America must receive your application form, financial support documents and the following fees must be paid:
Application fee - $100
Tuition deposit - $200
Express mailing fee - $50
Other service fees must also be paid if you requested the following service(s):
Housing placement fee - $250
Airport pick-up fee - $100
All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars to Cal America when you apply. The application fee and express mailing fee are one-time fee and are not refundable.
Q: What is financial support document?
A: Financial support document is simply a letter, issued by your bank or financial institution, showing that sufficient funds are available to meet both your tuition and living expenses while study at Cal America. The letter could be in form of personal bank statement or an original verification letter from your bank. Please note that the letter must be in English.
If letter from your bank is not available, you may submit an affidavit of support from your parents or sponsor stating they will be responsible for your expenses. However, you must send a bank statement or bank verification letter verifying their financial ability.
We suggest that you make sufficient copies of all financial documentation because you will also submit the same financial documentation to the U.S. embassy when you apply for student visa.
Q: How do I make payment after I applied?
A: You can send bank draft, cashier's check, or international money order, in U.S. dollars made payable to Cal America Education Institute, or you may wire transfer money directly to our bank account.
For all types of payment, except for Wire Transfer, please send payment to:
Cal America Education Institute
3700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90010 USA
For Wire Transfer, you must contact our office (info@cal-america.com) to receive necessary information you will need to provide to your bank.
Cal America is not responsible for any transfer fees or bank charges therefore you must add $40 to total amount when you transfer money to our bank account.
Important: Please send confirmation of your payment to Cal America by FAX at 1-213-383-5110 or e-mail at registrar@cal-america.com.
Q: Can I use credit card to pay fees?
A: You may use credit card (Visa, Master) to make a payment There is an additional 5% charge to the total amount for any credit card transaction.
Q: What is the deadline for applying?
A: Since Cal America has flexible start dates, there is no specific deadline for applying to study. However, please keep in mind that you should send application and appropriate fees as early as you can. We suggest that you send application at least 8 weeks prior to your course date. This ensures that Cal America has enough time to process your application and mail I-20 to you so that you will have more time to receive your I-20 before you apply for student visa.
Q: How can you make sure that I will receive my I-20 after I pay?
A: It is our requirement that you send $50 to cover the cost of express mailing service. We usually ship your I-20 using express mail service from DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Using express mail service guarantees that you will receive your I-20 and other necessary documents in a short period of time. It usually takes 3-5 business days. If you lived in the United States, please contact our office for appropriate fee.
Q: What kinds of housing are available?
A: Cal America can arrange homestay (living with an American family), dormitory, or hotel arrangements. There is a $250 housing placement fee.
Q: What is the deadline for requesting housing service?
A: The deadline for requesting housing service is strictly to 4 weeks before your course begins. However, in order for Cal America to find a place that matches your requirements, we would like to have as much time as possible (6 or more weeks is ideal). Please also note that Cal America cannot arrange housing for you until we receive required documents and appropriate service fee (plus deposits, if required).
Q: Can you pick me up at the airport?
A: Yes, we can arrange an airport pick-up service from the Los Angeles National Airport (LAX). The fee for such service is $100 for a one-way transportation from the LAX to school or to your homestay, apartment, or dormitory. Importantly, you MUST make service arrangement when you submit your application to CAL AMERICA or at least 3 weeks prior to your arrival. The service fee must be paid in full in advance. Please note that it is your responsibility to inform us about necessary information and any changes regarding your flight schedule. You may make an airport pick-up arrangement during the last 3 weeks prior to your arrival but with additional fee. You may cancel the service 7 days before your arrival to receive full refund.
Q: What kinds of transportation are available around school?
A: Cal America is located near downtown Los Angeles. This means that our students have many options of transportation. Our campus is located near the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, the two major streets in Los Angeles. It is very convenient to commute by public transportation to school. There are many public bus stops near school both on Wilshire Boulevard and on Western Avenue. You can walk to school in 2 minutes from the nearest bus stop. Across the street, at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, is an underground subway station. From there you can walk to school only within 3 minutes.
It is also safe to ride bicycle to school if you choose to stay near our campus. A lot of Americans and many of our students use bicycle as their transportation. If you choose to drive a car to school, there are several parking structures nearby. You can also park on streets near school but the city of Los Angeles charges parking fee and it allows parking only for 1 hour at a time.
Q: How long may I stay in the United States?
A: The U.S. INS allows you to stay in the United States for as long as you are enrolled as a full-time student in an educational program and making normal progress toward completing your course of study. If you do not plan to continue your study after you complete your course, you will be given 30 days to prepare to leave the country.
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