What is the SEVIS Fee and How to Pay for an F1 Visa in Nepal?

The F-1 student visa is a permit for international/Nepalese students who want to pursue academic excellence at American universities.

One mandatory requirement asked by the US Department of Homeland Security is an advance payment of the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee by all students. In this article, you will know everything that Nepalese students need to know about this fee, why it is important, and how to pay it.

What is the SEVIS Fee?

The SEVIS fee is a mandatory, one-time payment that international students must submit to US immigration authorities before the student visa approval. Specifically, this fee financially supports the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) managed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The SEVP is in charge of the SEVIS database, which tracks and monitors over 1 million F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa holders studying or participating in exchanges in the US.

Why Do You Pay the SEVIS Fee?

SEVIS fee was started in 2004, and it does two things:

1. Fund SEVIS Database Operations:

The SEVIS network uses sophisticated technology solutions to handle lots of information about international students, including personal details, visa status, where they are living, and which schools they have been to if they have graduated, if they have left the country, or broken visa rules.

2. Support SEVP Programs:

Part of the SEVIS fee also finances SEVP operations involving policy guidance, making sure universities follow the rules, stopping visa fraud, and providing helpful things for international students.

In summary, the SEVIS fee helps make sure that international students coming to the US are carefully checked for security reasons.

What are the facts about the SEVIS fee?

• Applicable for F1, F3, M1, M3 visa categories
  
• Non-refundable payment in most cases
  
• Covers individual applicant fee
  
• Valid for 12 months from the date of payment
  
• Helps fund SEVP unit for program integrity
  

Nepalese students heading to the US for undergraduate, graduate, or vocational programs cannot avoid paying this fee before getting their F-1 visa.

What is the significance of SEVIS Fee for Nepali Student Visa Applicants?

SEVIS fee helps make sure that the US keeps a close eye on international students studying there, which helps make things safer.

It supports monitoring initiatives that track what international students are doing, like changing their status, finishing their studies, or working with government agencies if necessary and more. This helps make sure they follow the rules for immigration while they are in the US.

In addition, SEVIS data helps the US embassies abroad double-check everything before visa approvals.

So, by paying the SEVIS fee, Nepalese students can expect a smoother visa process, both at the embassy and when they arrive in the US. Paying this fee before the visa interview is important for Nepalese students who want an F-1 visa and a smooth experience after student visa approval.

What is the step-by-step guide on paying SEVIS fee from Nepal?

Nepalese applicants can easily get step by step guidance to pay the SEVIS fee through the official DHS portal FMJfee.com.

Step 1: Check Payment Amount

Visit FMJfee.com and click on “SEVP Fee Amount” to check the latest fee total set by ICE and printed on Form I-901. As of 2024, it is $350 per applicant.

Step 2: Create Account

Click on “New User” and provide your email address and chosen password to set up an account.

Step 3: Begin Form I-901

Locate the option to “Start A New Form I-901” and enter all details correctly, such as your passport, previous US visits, and important information from your Form I-20. This includes:

• Full Legal Name and Date of Birth
• Country of citizenship + birth
• School code and SEVIS ID number
• Visa type (F1) and class program level
  

Step 4: Choose Payment Method

Select your preferred payment mode from Debit/Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

Note: Banks in Nepal offer payment services at the nominal fee which ranges from NPR 500 to 750.

Step 5: Submit Payment

Carefully verify all application information entered before proceeding to payment submission through the secure portal.

Step 6: Print Receipt

You can view and print your SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt from your account dashboard upon successful payment completion. Save this receipt to show during your F1 visa interview.

What are the helpful resources for Nepali F-1 Visa Applicants?

• US Embassy in Nepal: http://np.usembassy.gov/visas/student-visa/
  
• U.S State Dept. Study in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/
  
• SEVIS Help Hub: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub
  

This detailed guideline is helpful for Nepalese student visa applicants to understand the SEVIS system, the fees they have to pay, and its importance for visa approval. With this knowledge and smooth payment methods, students can focus more on how they can do well in their visa interviews instead.